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

I battled myself for months on whether or not to buy this book. I was never fully convinced that I'd find it appealing. I did finally buy it, but only because it was on sale and I paid with a gift card I got for Christmas. That way, if it was boring, I wouldn't be out any money.

Turns out I was a complete idiot for not buying it sooner. A book written entirely as corresponding letters between friends was an exciting concept for me. The story had a lot of charm. It offered up many different elements.

For instance:

• Inspiration - Elizabeth is the backbone of the story. She's strong, smart and willing to put up her own safety to preserve another.
• Tragedy - The details offered about the German's reign of torture and abuse during WWII were, at times, hard to stomach.
• Love - I can't say who falls in love but when it happens, it's sweet, funny and plays out beautifully.
• Endurance - The bonds of friendship, and appreciation of books, between the members of the literary society survived despair, hunger, German control and an eventual heartache.

In addition to this being a memorable story, I also learned two interesting things. I have now heard the term "Jerry-bag" and I now know that Oscar Wilde's full name is Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde.

I had a lot of fun reading this book. It was full of surprises that made me laugh and it gave me a much needed vacation upon the resilient and delightful shores of Guernsey.