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

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This book was recommended to me and for a while I had been putting off buying this book as I was unsure whether I would enjoy it.

The book starts off slowly, and a few letters in I was still a little sceptical about this book and didn't think I would like it. I decided to persevere with the book and was glad that I did.

The idea of the book being written in a series of letters is a unique way of telling this story, and I'm not sure that this would have been quite as good having been written in chapters. I was able to dip in and out of the book reading a letter or two at a time, but usually ended up reading more.

The story is heartwarming and full of friendship, laughter and kindness, despite this book being set in the years following the German occupation of Guernsey. The book is a series of letters between the main character Juliet, her best friend, her publisher and the various (rather interesting) members of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. 

Juliet wrote a newspaper column during the war, but now in 1946 is unable to write the novel that she would like. She receives a letter unexpectedly from Dawsy Adams (a member of the Literary society) who is now in possession of a book by Charles Lamb that was previously Juliet's book. This initial letter then leads onto letters being sent to Juliet from the other members of the Literary Society, and it is through these letters that she learns the story of how the Literary Society started, and also about the lives of the individual members.

This book may not be for everyone; I recommended this book to my mum and after reading almost half of the book my mum thinks that the book is ok, but isn't as struck by this book as I am.

I thought the book was really well written, and maybe it isn't completely accurate, and is a little stereotypical in it's characters and what has happened, however, this book has a special something for me. I think I will definitely read it again in years to come. Beautifully written.

My rating 4.5 Stars!!

Walking back to Happiness - Lucy Dillon

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I adored Lucy Dillon's previous books The Ballroom Class and Lost Dogs and Lonely Hearts, and could not wait to read this book, hoping that it would be every bit as good as the other two books.

I definitely was not disappointed! I fell in love with this book right from the start - Lucy Dillon has a wonderful way of drawing you into her books right from the very first page, and one you start reading you don't want to put the book down.

I finished this book in a day and a half, I just kept saying to myself one more chapter, but just didn't want to put it down!

This may be a chick lit book, but it is so much more than that; it is thought provoking too.

All three of Lucy Dillon's books are based in the same place; Longhampton. It you have read Lucy Dillon's previous books then you will recognise some of the people and places (and dogs!) mentioned in the book. However, you do not need to have read her previous books before reading this one (although they are both fab so I would definitely recommend reading them!)

The main character in this book is Juliet who isn't coping after the unexpected death of her husband. Her mum and sister are worried about her as she is living in a house without a useable kitchen, and she likes to go out at night time when she is unlikely to meet people. Her only real companion is Minton her dog.

As a way of getting Juliet out of the house, and hopefully enabling her to get on with her life, Juliet's mum Diane asks Juliet to look after her dog Coco, whilst she is looking after Juliet's sister, Louise's baby so that she is able to go back to work.

Little does Juliet know when she agrees to looking after Coco, that this is the start of her 'future'. Juliet starts to not only look after Minton and Coco, but to walk and look after other local people's dogs, and to gain an insight into their lives.

The characters in the book are well written and you can't help but feel every emotion that the characters do. From initial sadness for Juliet's loss to laughing out loud at Diane's interfering. Throughout the book there is a sense of hope, and a sense of being able to carry on with your life without forgetting the past. The only character I didn't really warm to was Louise, Juliet's sister, but that is due to her actions and attitudes throughout the book. Another well written character.

A stunning book which I would recommend to everyone! 

My rating - 5 Stars!