The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

I know my absence has been quite prolonged and I will explain by way of a book review. A few nights ago I finished an intriguing book, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. At first I was doubtful about it keeping my interest. It's written as a compilation of letters. And my mind has a difficult time turning one voice off and another voice on until I know the characters well. But I pushed through because of the humor of the main character, Juliet. She won my affections quickly.


The book is about a London based writer, her old friends, and a literary group that she begins a correspondence with on the Island of Guernsey. Soon this group becomes more than just pen pals. But you must read the book to discover what role they end up playing in her life. This group, this island, was under German occupation during World War II. It wasn't a pleasant time, as you can imagine.


Thus my favorite quote from the book...

"As Seneca says,

"Light griefs are loquacious, but the great are dumb."

And so I give you my reason for my absence from blogging. In November, my mom, who suffers from Alzheimer's, didn't know me for the first time. I wasn't prepared for it. I knew it was coming. I knew it would be soon. What I didn't realize was how difficult it would be; my response was one a profound dumbness. I found that I could only manage the things that were required. Meals and laundry made the cut. Blogging didn't. I've been told that blogs should be upbeat, interesting and fun. I couldn't accomplish that, so I went silent.


But I'm back now. My heart still hurts, but I'm doing better. And I have several book reviews and many knitting projects to share. Now if I can just make blogging a habit again. That's one of my New Year's resolutions.


So...The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Read it! You won't be disappointed.