The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Shaffer and Barrows

# Of book read so far this year: 8
Title: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Author: Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
Year Published: 2008
Rating (1-10): 10
Date Finished: 02/20/09
Genre: Historical Fiction, Epistolary
# Of pages: 277
Where did the book come from: PBS (Also one loaned to me by Lonny C.)

Blurb: “ I wonder how the book got to Guernsey? Perhaps there is some sort of secret homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers.”

January 1946: London is emerging from the shadow of the Second World War, and writer Juliet Ashton is looking for her next book subject. Who could imagine that she would find it in a letter from a man she’s never met, a native of the island of Guernsey, who has come across her name written inside a book by Charles Lamb….

As Juliet and her new correspondent exchange letters, Juliet is drawn into the world of this man and his friends—and what a wonderfully eccentric world it is. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society—born as a spur-of-the-moment alibi when its members were discovered breaking curfew by the Germans occupying their island—boasts a charming, funny, deeply human cast of characters, from pig farmers to phrenologists, literature and book lovers all.

Juliet begins a remarkable correspondence with the society’s members, learning about their island, their taste in books, and the impact the recent German occupation has had on their lives. Captivated by their stories, she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she finds will change her forever.

Written with warmth and humor as a series of letters, this novel is a celebration of the written word in all its guises, and of finding connection in the most surprising ways.

My Comments: What a magnificent book of letters! I came to love this book so much that I only allowed myself to read one letter per evening, until I could no longer stand it and gobbled it up at the end. It was well researched, and it truly feels as though the reader is living in the era spoken of in the letters. I felt joy and grief, hope and anticipation as I read these letters. The ending was most satisfying and a relief, as the reader begins to understand what is going on. The characters are all delightful and eccentric, and I want to live in Guernsey and be their friend. I want to know them all personally! Such a wonderful book, very highly recommended!

Mary Ann Shaffer (Author) - Mary Ann Shaffer died before she finished the book. Her neice Annie Barrows, having worked with Mary Ann prior to her demise, completed the novel. She did an amazing job pinch-hitting for her aunt.

The Body on the Beach by Simon Brett

# Of book read so far this year: 7
Title: The Body on the Beach
Author: Simon Brett
Year Published: 2000
Rating (1-10): 9
Date Finished: 02/17/09
Genre: Fiction, cozy mystery
# Of pages: 312
Where did the book come from: PBS
Series: Fethering Mysteries #1

Blurb: Sensible Carole Seddon doesn't have the tolerance to deal with her new bohemian next-door neighbor, Jude, who is quite her opposite in temperment and personality. But Jude doesn't seem so bad when Carole discovers another addition to the neighborhood-a dead body on the beach bearing two wounds on its neck. The odd couple join forces to find the murderer despite the fact that the police force would rather they not be involved.

Other reviews: "A pair of sleuths who are winning enough to make the reader invite them back for more....Holmes and Watson with a dash of Laurel and Hardy." (Toronto Star)

"An impressive debut, marked by the usual attention to wit and detail." (Library Journal)

"The characters are wonderful, and their silliness quite engrossing." (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

My Comments: This was a terrific British cozy mystery full of subtle humor (such as the first sentence: "Fethering is on the South Coast, not far from Tarring."). There were many juicy red herrings and more than one body-- one's identity which wasn't revealed until near the end. I especially enjoyed the contrast of the two main characters, Carole and Jude. Carole is staid and very organized in her manner whilst Jude is laid-back and more fluid and untidy. I love the different ways they investigate and I can't wait to read the second in this series, Death on the Downs. Very highly recommended!

Shakespeare's Trollop by Charlaine Harris

# Of book read so far this year: 6
Title: Shakespeare’s Trollop
Author: Charlaine Harris
Year Published: 2004
Rating (1-10): 10
Date Finished: 02/05/09
Genre: Fiction, cozy mystery
# Of pages:194
Where did the book come from: Amazon, $6.99 paperback
Series: Lily Bard #4

Blurb: Shakespeare, Arkansas, is home to endless back roads, historic buildings, colorful residents--and the occasional murder. It is also home to Lily Bard, the local karate expert/cleaning woman with a particular knack for finding skeletons in closets. She is a rather private, unusual sort of person who would rather hide in the shadows than be conspicuously involved in a murder case.

But when the local woman of ill repute is found murdered, being familiar with her dirty laundry could make Lily the next Shakespearean to die. This is the fourth in the Shakespeare/Lily Bard series, and by now the character is well known to the readers.

My Comments: I can’t say enough good about this series. I am very sad that there is only one more book in the series, and Harris has no intentions of adding more to it (I asked her). I admire this authors writing skills, as, being a writer myself, I pay close attention to those sorts of things when reading a book. This one is no exception to the rest – it is well written and has a great plot. There is a lot of sub plots that add to the fun, and that includes Lily’s relationship with Jack. I started to read this book more slowly as I got nearer the end because I simply didn’t want it to be over so soon. I didn’t guess the murderer until right before it was revealed (when I’d started to have some niggling thoughts), and love how the author planned it all out so well. It is an excellent mystery with an interesting lead character.

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski

# Of book read so far this year: 5
Title: The Story of Edgar Sawtelle
Author: David Wroblewski
Narrator: Richard Poe
Year Published: 2008
Rating (1-10): 10
Date Finished: 01/26/09
Genre: Fiction, Literary Fiction
# Of pages: 576, 21 hrs 45 min.
Where did the book come from: Audible.com
Series: N/A

Blurb: Born mute, speaking only in sign, Edgar Sawtelle leads an idyllic life on his family's farm in remote northern Wisconsin where they raise and train an extraordinary breed of dog. But when tragedy strikes, Edgar is forced to flee into the vast neighboring wilderness, accompanied by only three yearling pups. Struggling for survival, Edgar comes of age in the wild, and must face the choice of leaving forever or revealing the terrible truth behind what has happened

David Wroblewski is a master storyteller, and his breathtaking scenes--the elemental north woods, the sweep of seasons, an iconic American barn, a fateful vision rendered in the falling rain--create a riveting family saga, a brilliant exploration of the limits of language, and a compulsively readable modern classic.


My Comments: As a sign language interpreter and one who is familiar with the deaf culture, I took a great interest in this story. As it turns out, Edgar was not a part of any deaf community, but that’s okay. It didn’t matter, in the end. If I had known just how long it really would take to get through it, I probably would have been too daunted by it. I’m so glad I chose it from Audible.com!

This is truly a family saga and an epic tale, and I have no doubt it will become a classic. I was really amazed that I was kept so interested as it took nearly 22 hours of listening to get through it. It is written vividly and with real emotional impact. It has a bit of the paranormal in it, but only a bit – just enough to make it interesting. I found it to be a compelling read (well, okay, “listen”) and was always eager to get back to it. I felt that Edgar was someone that I knew, and so many times I wanted to help him out or give him advice. At times the prose is almost lyrical. It is a story I will not soon forget, and it made me view my own dogs in a new light. This is a book that made me go hunting for more information, both about the book itself and the author. It is a must read – but bear in mind it is definitely a big book and it’s going to take you some time investment to read it. Worth it!

Real Murders by Charlaine Harris

# Of book read so far this year: 4
Title: Real Murders
Author: Charlaine Harris
Year Published: 1990/2007
Rating (1-10): 9
Date Finished: 01/25/09
Genre: Fiction, cozy mystery
# Of pages: 290
Where did the book come from: PBS
Series: Aurora Teagarden #1

Blurb: Though a small town at heart, Lawrenceton, Georgia, has its dark side-and crime buffs. One of whom is librarian Aurora "Roe" Teagarden, a member of the Real Murders Club, which meets once a month to analyze famous cases. It's a harmless pastime-until the night she finds a member killed in a manner that eerily resembles the crime the club was about to discuss. And as other brutal "copycat" killings follow, Roe will have to uncover the person behind the terrifying game, one that casts all the members of Real Murders, herself included, as prime suspects-or potential victims.

My Comments: Again, I am amazed at the ease in which Charlaine Harris seems to flow from one character series to another! This is the first Aurora Teagarden book in the series, and I found it very interesting. It kept me guessing, and had all the requisite red herrings. I’m not sure if I really like Aurora, the character, yet or not, but I certainly enjoyed the book enough to want to read the next one in the series.  This isn't literary fiction, but a fun ride all the same.

Great Quote for Book Collectors!

“Even when reading is impossible, the presence of books acquired produces  such an ecstasy that the buying of more books than one can read is nothing less than the soul reaching towards infinity... we cherish books even if unread,  their mere presence exudes comfort, their ready access, reassurance. “

- A.E. Newton

PS ignore the "reactions" on this

Grave Sight by Charlaine Harris

Of book read so far this year: 3
Title:Grave Sight
Author: Charlaine Harris
Narrator: N/A
Year Published: 2006
Rating (1-10): 10
Date Finished: 01/14/09
Genre: Fiction, cozy mystery
# Of pages: 320
Where did the book come from: PBS (Paperbackswap.com)
Series: Harper Connelly #1


Blurb: Harper Connelly has what you might call a strange job: she finds dead people. The way Harper sees it, she's providing a service to the dead while bringing some closure to the living-but she's used to most people treating her like a blood-sucking leech. Traveling with her stepbrother Tolliver as her manager and sometime-bodyguard, she's become an expert at getting in, getting paid, and getting out fast. Because for the living it's always urgent-even if the dead can wait forever.

My Comments: I am amazed at how many different characters Charlaine Harris can write about, and with such originality. This is another series by Harris that has grabbed my interest and hasn’t let go. This is not as graphic or morbid as you might think, and it is a great cozy mystery! I enjoyed this one very much and look forward to reading the next two in the series. This one had me guessing right up until the end, and I also found it so descriptive that I often felt what the character was feeling. When Harper was shaky, I felt shaky myself! Very good writing and good ending. Satisfying read.

Going to take this blog more seriously!

I have a journal that I keep on LiveJournal that encompasses my whole life, but I'd like this blog to be specific to books. I've not written since January, and to date, have no followers (who'd blame 'em?). I'm going to try to get all my books read this year thus far into this blog, and then add to it regularly.

QB