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

I read this book over the Thanksgiving weekend and I loved everything about it - the characters, the setting, the time period! I was torn between wanting devouring it all in one sitting and not wanting it to end.

In the aftermath of World War II, author Juliet Ashton receives a letter from a stranger and fellow book-lover who is a founding member of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Juliet and the stranger become penpals and through this friendship she learns more about the GLPPPS and its members and she also learns about the German occupation of Guernsey during the war. This novel is written as a series of letters, which makes it a really easy read - I finished it in just a few days. And then couldn't stop thinking about it for several days afterwards!

"As the letters unfold, Juliet — and we readers—learn the little - known history of German occupation of Guernsey. We come to know the brave and endearing people who survived the hardships — and a few who did not....In addition to a fine story, this delightful book offers affirming messages about some of the most enduring forces in life — the power of the written word, the strength of the human spirit and the value of relationships, even unexpected ones." — Winston Salem Journal

"The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is a sweet, sentimental paean to books and those who love them.... It affirms the power of books to nourish people enduring hard times." — Washington Post Book World

Another neat thing about this book is the story about the authors. Mary Ann Shaffer started the novel and when she become sick, her niece, Annie Barrows, took over and got it published. Sadly, this was Mary Ann Shaffer's only novel. She passed away in February 2008 before the book was published.

You can see Annie Barrows talk about the book here.

Have you read this book? Did you love it as much as I did?