Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Some books can change your life. Thinking about how those life changing books come into our possession, is it fate or serendipity? The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society didn't change my life, but is about books that do.
Juliet is a British author who shortly after World War II, finds herself without a new book subject. She receives a letter from a resident of Guernsey Island, who found her name and address in a book about Charles Lamb. Guernsey is isolated and after years of Nazi occupation is slowly recovering with the help of each other and their literary society. At her request, Juliet begins to receive letters from the islanders detailing how the literary society helped them during the occupation. Juliet is drawn into their lives, their love for books and their war time tragedies. A single book will forever change the lives of both Juliet, and the residents of the island after Juliet travels to Guernsey to further investigate.
This book is sweet, fun and a quick read, as the book is made up entirely of letters. I was instantly drawn into the characters and story. My only minor quibble is the neatness (quickness?) of the ending, but would still recommend to a wide range of readers including those who favor light romance, Brit Lit, historical fiction and books about books.

Also of interest may be other fiction titles about Nazi occupation:
Suite Française - Irène Némirovsky
Five Quarters of an Orange - Joanne Harris
Hatred for Tulips - Richard Lourie

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society will be discussed at the July 2009 Books Plus book discussion. Join us!