The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

I've just completed my first book for 2010 - "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. Originally, Shaffer was writing the book, but when she took ill, her niece Barrows helped her finish. Shaffer ended up passing away in February 2008.

The story takes place in 1946, Juliet Ashton is a writer in London. She gets a letter from a member of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. (Guernsey is one of the Channel Islands located south of England in the English Channel.) From this, Juliet gets caught up in learning of the experiences of the people of Guernsey Island during the German invasion of World War II. Elizabeth, a young lady who fell in love with a German soldier, gave birth to his daughter, and was sent away to German prison camp, is the connective fiber between all of the Guernsey Island people. From the letters and her visit to Guernsey, Juliet finds her next writing topic, a book about Elizabeth and her experiences.

This book is really just a collection of letters to and from Juliet...... to her best friend Sophie.... to Sophie's brother and her editor, Sydney..... to the dashing Markham Reynolds, who is trying to woo Juliet..... to the many people of Guernsey.......

You'll have to read the book to find out what happens...... what is a potato peel pie? Does Markham win Juliet's heart? What happens after she visits Guernsey? Do we ever learn what happened to Elizabeth?

This is a fabulous and a pretty quick read, when it was over, I wished there was more to read. I think this would make a perfect book for Richardson Reads One Book in September..... in case any of you are listening.

Mo's Review:
"The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Burrows, (2008, 274 pages): 5 out of 5 Stars