I love shouting about books I've loved, and what better excuse is there to jump up and down waving a book you think everyone should read than the summer?
Over the course of the summer holidays, I'm going to be sharing one fab read a week. They won't necessarily be your typical beach reads, simply books I've adored recently and want to share with anyone who will listen.
And as I'm always on the look out for more books to add to the TBR pile, I'd love to hear your recommendations too! Share the book love either on my blog posts or get in touch on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using #sixweeksofsummerreads :)
To give them hope she must tell their story.
It's 1946. The war is over, and Juliet Ashton has writer's block. But when she receives a letter from Dawsey Adams of Guernsey – a total stranger living halfway across the Channel, who has come across her name written in a second hand book – she enters into a correspondence with him, and in time with all the members of the extraordinary Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.
Through their letters, the society tell Juliet about life on the island, their love of books – and the long shadow cast by their time living under German occupation. Drawn into their irresistible world, Juliet sets sail for the island, changing her life forever.
Like my summer reads recommendation last week, there has been a lot of hype about The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society over the past few months as the book was adapted for the big screen. As I'm a bit of a history nerd, I was curious about the occupation of Guernsey during the war as this wasn't something I'd read about before, and hearing so many wonderful things about the book really piqued my interest.
I have to admit that I didn't think this book and I were going to gel. I love books that are told through letters but I wasn't drawn into Juliet's correspondence. I was really struggling and thinking about giving up (it happens. Not all books and readers get along. It doesn't mean it's a bad book, just not for you) but then suddenly I was gripped and found myself devouring the notes between Juliet, her editor and the members of the literary group, and I was bereft when it ended. I'd gone from wanting to pop the book - unfinished - in the bag destined for the charity shop to hugging it to my chest and wishing there was more.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society is full of heart and humour. My copy is going nowhere near the charity shop; it belongs on my shelf.
