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

Last week seemed much less complicated than this week, maybe because I was far away on the small island of Guernsey. I flew on a propeller plane from Gatwick with a group of friends, to explore three of the Channel Islands: Guernsey, Sark and Herm. The islands were beautiful, and the people quite charming. The hiking trails were rich with grass, ocean views, thick mud and flowers. Every night we had the same taxi driver named Rene who would pick us up, give us a smile and a story, and drop us at dinner in town. The fact that the island is peaceful and serene now, is a testament to the strength of its residents. Guernsey was once occupied by the German army for five years during World War II. This fictional book, "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society," follows a British writer who travels to the island to connect with some of its locals who survived the Nazi occupation. Juliet Ashton is searching for a subject for her next book, after writing previous books under a pseudonym. She strikes up a correspondence with a handsome Guernsey farmer, and on a whim decides to travel to the island to meet him in person. After landing there, she meets the farmer and members of his book club, a quirky group of very close friends who share not only books but also a sacred secret. The book is as smart, warm and charming as its title, and was turned into a movie now available on Netflix. Lily James is terrific as Juliet Ashton. I think there are friends and stories to be found even in the smallest corners of the world, and Guernsey is no exception. To buy this book on Amazon click here.