The book this month was The Guernsey literary and potato peel pie society. This book was a collection of a series of letters. At first glance seems a bit confusing but you soon figure out that not only is it easy to read but to grasps you and doesn't let go. It ws hard for me to put it down and go to bed.

With maps covering the inside covers it was easy to make reference to where they may be at certain times. I found it enjoyable and quick reading.

QUESTIONS:

1. What did you think of the letter format? What do letters offer that no other form of writing (not even e-mails) can convey?

2. Dawsey first wrote to Juliet because books, on Charles Lamb and otherwise were so hard to come by. What differences did you note between book selling then and now.

These should get us started.

I myself loved the letter format. something different and new.
The book selling then seemed to be more an intimate experience and maybe a cherished possession. Where now we read so many books and sometimes so fast that we often times cannot remember a books ending a week after finishing it. I think that they absorbed and reread the books a few times to truly feel what they were reading.

~Aurora

At first I was put off by the letter format, but after a while it was like following someone's conversation. I ended up enjoying the format :) I think the letters are a more personal way to keep in touch and you can put your heart and soul into a letter with just the way you write the letter. E-mails are so black n white (no pun intended :p).
Book selling then was a career job where the bookstore owners knew each book inside and out whereas these days you are lucky if someone in Borders has read the book you are looking for.
I really enjoyed reading this book and can't wait to find out what the book for June is :) Do we know when we will get the title?

Do we know when we will get the title?

June 1st.

~Aurora

yea!! Can't wait :)

I also wasn't sure about the letter format of the book in the beginning (in fact my mom gave up because of it), however once I got used to it, found it a wonderful way to tell the story. I never realized that this British island was occupied by Germany during WWII. I thought it was an excellent book, looking forward to the next!

1) I have read books in letter format before, so that didn't stop me ;-) I find that the letter format really tends to give more perspective than a more traditional format. I could really tell what many different characters were thinking and feeling, rather than just the protagonist. In this particular case, I could also tell what many different characters were doing, both in the time of the story and the past.

2) Now, with so many online booksellers, it's pretty easy to find almost any book, in print or out!

Off to the parade....
≥Kit Kat≤
in CT

At first I was a little thrown off by the letter format. But as I read, I really enjoyed "seeing" the different viewpoints of the different characters.
As far as book selling now and then. For all of those Kindle owners, Nook owners, etc. don't hate me for saying this :) I can't imagine reading from one of them!!! I know that it can be more convenient, but I love holding my book and turning that page.
I am so glad this book was chosen. I don't think I would have ever picked it up off of the shelf because of the title. I really enjoyed it and was in tears at the end.
I can't wait to see the next title for the book club!

I read this one long ago but I had never even heard of Guernsey before. Now, I'd love to visit the island! Also, I really enjoyed the characters that the author created for this book. They were quirky, humorous, and had real heart! I loved the way it ended too.

Amyrica

For me it was the letter format that convinced me to try it out. I have read a few other books in letter format that I thoroughly enjoyed. So, I made a deal with myself that if the library could get it in time then, I would try it out. The subject is very much outside my reading comfort zone but, I am sooooo glad that I tried it. I found the people so charming and interesting that I wanted to go to Guernsey to meet them myself. I want Inola to read my head bumps. :)

Bookselling like many things has changed a lot with the advent of the internet. You can order books from all over the world with just a credit card and a few clicks of the keys. The stores and libraries even use Amazon to determine what is available and out on the market. Unless you are looking for something extremely rare, there is no hunting just ordering. So that has definitely changed. However, as a former big bookstore employee, I can say that the knowledge of the workers varies greatly. In my experience, we were all readers but, we didn't necessarily know the first thing about the particular book a customer was hoping to find. We would often pass the customer to another worker that had an area of expertise that we didn't share. Mostly it will just be luck. The biggest joke was the customer that wanted the yellow book on the middle table from about a year ago. It was even funnier when that customer left with there book in hand.

Anyway, I loved this book so, thank you for the great read!

QUESTIONS:

3. What does a readers taste in books say about his or her personality? Whose lives were changed because of membership in the society?

4. Which of the members of the society were your favorite? and whose literary opinions are most like your own?

5. Was there a certain point in the book that made you laugh out loud? or shed a few tears?

Why were Mark Reynolds and Adelaide Addison included (Addison/puff adder/posionous in her opinions?)

Why Charles Lamb and not some other author as Mr. Dawsey's obsession?

Let's talk about the story, and not about buying books at Borders. "GRIN"

1. I was a bit put-off by the format at first, but soon grew to love it. I enjoyed reading a book, that at times, seemed to have more than one narrative point of view.

2. I agree with Aurora. Books, during that time, were valued more as prized possessions to be read, re-read and cherished. Now-a-days books are viewed more as disposable.

:) MM

3. I think a readers choice in books tells a lot about their interests, sense of humor and personality. I believe that everyone that was in the society at the time of the occupation was changed to some extent. Also the people who learned about the society after-the-fact were also touched by it.

4. I'd have to say that I really liked Dawsey, he just seemed to have a bit of mystery about him. Although I equally loved Isola's quirkiness! As to whose literary opinions are like my own, Hmmmm....not sure on that one.

5. I cried when they found out that Elizabeth was dead. I was hoping for a tearful reunion.

:) MM

1) Use of letters: I liked this format. It was a good way to get the viewpoints of a number of people. You also got just the “essentials” of the story—there was no need for transitions between scenes. Writing letters requires thought, and they are (or at least can be) permanent, so the character took time with their letters and their writings allowed us to dig deeper into their souls. I thought it interesting that Mark (who comes across as rather shallow) was more into calling than writing, and his notes were quite superficial.

2) Bookstores: I agree that books are more throw-away now, although I do have certain ones that I read more than once. You can still get the flavor of this “old-fashioned” bookselling when you go to the smaller specialty shops. We have someone in town who specializes in histories and mysteries, and the owner is quite knowledgeable.

3) Lives changed: Several of the characters wrote that this new-found reading helped them to cope with what was happening during the occupation. Booker said that Seneca’s writings “helped to keep me alive in what was to come later”. Eben said that Shakespeare’s line “we are for the dark” had great relevance. It seemed to help him process what was going on. One letter-writer (Mrs. Saussey) disparaged the group and said “they’d never have touched a book, but for the OCCUPATION”. That was a great thing, not something to be insulted.

4) Favorite character: I liked a number of the characters, but liked Iola the best. She used books to experience things that were beyond her normal existence (like the romance in the Bronte books). That is one thing I love about books—they let me visit places/experience things that I might otherwise not. For literary choices, I might have to go with Eben. Even though I don’t read poetry a lot, I do find a lot of relevance and emotion in poetry (I might need to head to the poetry section in the library soon!)

5) Laugh/Cry: There were no “big” episodes of this for me. There were a number of wryly humorous comments that I enjoyed. Some of the descriptions of the occupation or the camps was heart-breaking.

6) Why were Mark and Adelaide Addison included?: Every story needs an antagonist. Mark served that role for Juliet, and Mrs. Addison did so for the villagers.

7) Why Charles Lamb?: One of the writers (Dawsey?) said that perhaps Lamb’s great sorrows made him a great writer. I was thinking that the villagers’ great sorrows during the occupation made them great readers.

8) Favorite quote: Juliet said “one tiny thing will interest you in a book, and that tiny thing will lead you into another book….”. I may need to look for the writings of Lamb at the library too, along with the poetry. As if my list isn’t long enough!

I really enjoyed this book. I also liked learning about the occupation of Guernsey, which I was unaware of before this book. Sorry for the length of the post, but I really liked the books and the questions—perhaps I’ve been proofreading too many of my daughter’s term papers ;~)

Birdwoman/WP

I really liked the letter format of the book. It gave all the characters a chance to tell their stories and give their opinions in their own voice. My biggest problem was putting the book down at night because I'd keep telling myself just one more letter.

I found it interesting that by Juliet putting her name in the Charles Lamb book the whole chain of events that followed totally changed her life. If Dawsey could have just ordered the book from Amazon Juliet probably would have ended up marrying Mark Reynolds and spending the rest of her life unhappy. But through that one act she ended up where I really believe she was destined to be.

I don't know if it is just me, but as I read this book I pictured the people of Guernsey as being like the characters in the movie Babe. They seemed to have the same quirkiness. Or maybe it's because Dawsey is an English pig farmer. I liked all the characters but mostly Juliet, she seemed so real and down to earth. And she loves books, I like her quote, "That's what I love about reading: one tiny thing will interest you in a book, and that tiny thing will lead you onto another book, and another bit there will lead you to a third book. It's geometrically progressive-all with no end in sight, and for no other reason than sheer enjoyment."

There were many sad parts in the book. I really hoped that Elizabeth would be found. It was so sad that all the children had to be separated from their parents and sent away. But I loved the way it ended. It was almost like Juliet was a little lost but then took over Elizabeth's life. She lived in her house, became a mother to her daughter and befriended her friends and I think Elizabeth would have approved.

Walzing Pigs - That is so funny that we both liked the same quote in the book. I didn't read your post before I wrote mine because I started it before yours was posted.

I liked Dawsey, too. I felt like I could relate to his quiet aloofness. :-) But deep caring...like he was someone you can really depend on.

I loved the letter format for this story...it allowed different characters, and a disjointed telling that really added to the story. Somethings were overshown, others alluded to. And the various personalities really shown through!

And I cried most when they talked about the kids being evacuated. Mostly because I HAVE kids. It would break my heart to put them on a boat, not knowing if they'd be safe or not, because hopefully they'll be safeR than where I live.

Mark Reynolds was there to provide a rival; and show that Juliet isn't immune to flattery...but she really isn't going to sell out either.

Adelaide's a busybody. Every Island has one. :P

I didn't really question Charles Lamb, other than being obscure and therefore a good bonding model. But I just googled him and found this quote:

1. "Man is a gaming animal. He must always be trying to get the better in something or other." — features in the Essays of Elia, 1823.

Which really illustrates what Juliet and Dawsey were fighting against in the book. And pretty much sums up Adelaide.

Here's a random thought. Is there an Elizabeth in your life? If so, tell us a story about what he/she has done that caught your attention.