Friday 6 May 2016

Friday Books - The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society


On Fridays I participate in BookBeginnings, hosted by Rose City Reader, and The Friday 56 - hosted by Freda’s Voice. Both involve sharing excerpts from a current book - the beginning and - you guessed it - page 56.

This week I'm featuring 

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




Beginning:


Mr Sidney Stark, Publisher
Stephens & Stark Ltd
21 St James's Place 
London SW1
8th January 1946

Dear Sidney
Susan Scott is a wonder. We sold over forty copies of the book, but much more thrilling from my standpoint was the food. Susan managed to get hold of ration coupons for icing sugar and real eggs for the meringue. If all her literary luncheons are going to achieve these heights, I won't mind touring the country.


Here's my P56:
It seems to me the less he said, the more beauty he made. Do you know what sentence of his I admire the most? It is 'The bright day is done, and we are for the dark.' I wish I'd known those words on the day I watched those German troops land, planeload after planeload of them, and come off those ships in the harbour.


After revisiting a "previously read" author (Anita Shreve) last week, with no small degree of trepidation, I was delighted. I LOVED that book. So this week, it's another oldie - I picked this up at a second hand book shop.

I read it about 5 years ago from book club, and thoroughly enjoyed it. So I bought this copy for a friend. It's a delightful tale, told in correspondence from writer Juliet Ashton and Dawsey Adams - a member of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. It's about friendship, books and love. Don't be put off by the long-winded title. It's ageless and timeless and worth a read.

Here's the cover. A click will link to the Goodreads blurb.




Tell me what you're reading, and I'll pay you a visit. Happy reading everyone.

13 comments:

Lauren Stoolfire said...

The title sure is a mouthful! :)

Glad you enjoyed it!

Kathy Martin said...

I've heard good things about this book. I bought it but ending up donating it because it was so far outside the genres I usually read. I'm spotlighting Heart of Brass by Kate Cross from my TBR mountain this week. Happy reading!


Laurel-Rain Snow said...

I love the cover! I read this book a few years ago, as an ARC, so there was no pretty cover...sigh. But I enjoyed it...hope you do, too. Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.

And that title is DEFINITELY a mouthful!

Breana M. said...

The book seems like it could be good, thanks for sharing.

JLS Hall said...

I read this one back when it was first out, and absolutely loved it! I gifted several friends with copies, and recommended it to total strangers in bookstores. Might be time for a re-read, now that I think about it. Thanks for sharing, and happy reading!

Unknown said...

Really a good book. I hope you enjoy it.

Lisa Ks Book Reviews said...

What a difference from the BB to the 56! I'd love for you to visit me... http://tinyurl.com/LisaKsBookReviewsBTH

Unknown said...

That's a catchy title. And a new author for me too. I hope you enjoy it:)

My Friday 56 from Assassin's Heart

Maria said...

I love the beginning - this sounds like it could be a really fun book. Here's my Friday meme

Kim Griffin said...

I've always been curious about this book because of the title, but never actually picked it up. I'll have to look through it next time I'm at the bookstore. It sounds interesting. Thanks for sharing! Thanks for visiting my blog too! Happy reading!

guiltlessreader said...

A cover redo! Had this on the TBR for way too long. Really must request it from the library. I've heard only raves ... so enjoy!

fredamans said...

I've heard great things about this book! Happy Sunday!

Faith Hope and Cherrytea said...

I loved this one as well - mine has a different cover - i do like yours; it's lovely. Enjoy the re-reading ;)