As you know, I've read a lot of books this year.  But I have to say THIS one is one of the best!  It was just released late July and the story behind Mary Ann Shaffer, the author, was sad to hear.

Apparently, she became ill just after the book was sold.  So her niece, Annie Barrows, stepped in to help finish.  Annie is an author of children's books.  Unfortunately, Shaffer passed away before the book was released.  I found that very sad.  As an author myself, I know how very difficult it is to get your work noticed in the publishing industry and to think that when her book actually became a reality she wasn't here to share in the joy and pride.

The title is what caught my attention at first.  A literary and potato peel pie society?  Trust me, it all makes sense.  But it was the concept of the novel that really interested me.  The entire novel consists of letters.  This was the first time I'd read a story like this and I was surprised at how well the author made it work.  

It's January 1946 and London is in the aftermath of WWII.  Juliet Ashton is an author and trying to come up with a subject for her next book.  She receives a letter from a man on Guernsey, the British island once occupied by the Nazis.  He'd come across her name and address in a second-hand book by an author he admired.  He writes to Juliet to ask if she might help him find more books by this author.

Letters between Juliet and Dawsey Adams begin to go back and forth and before long other friends of Dawsey, who are all members of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, also begin writing to Juliet.  She learns that this book club was formed quickly as an alibi to protect its members from arrest by the Germans.

Through the correspondence Juliet comes to know these charming and delightful people.  Captivated by their stories, she sets sail for Guernsey and what she finds there will change her life forever.

I didn't even realize that Guernsey was occupied by the Germans during WWII.  The author did a wonderful job in weaving this into her story and allowing me to learn something new.  The book is filled with humor and compassion and it proves how life-changing and important the written word can be.

As I got closer and closer to the end, I found myself slowing down, rather than increasing, my reading.  I simply didn't want it to end.  I didn't want to have to part with all the wonderful characters I'd met and felt like I'd come to personally know.  But I did finish it and as I said, I feel this was one of the best books I've read this year.  Regretfully, this author will not be giving us more of her superb writing.  This was a story I savored and if you're looking for a charming, uplifting book.............make sure you get this one!

See you here next time.................