70. Ask 5 friends for book rec’s, then read read 5 of the suggestions

The Art of Racing In the Rain -


Did this one as an audio book driving to/from work during the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. This book is a tragedy in the best sense of the word. Devastatingly sad, but a great story narrated by a dog about the life of his owner. It’s definitely rated R for language and some sexual content, but it’s a really interesting way to look at a different worldview with fresh eyes. And I must say I thought twice the next time I spoke to a dog after finishing this book.

The Mighty Queens of Freeville -




This one wasn’t a favorite of mine. I did finish it though, and in a fairly short amount of time, so it did hold my interest (I may have a tendency to quit books), I just didn’t get much out of it. It’s a biographical book by the woman who took over Ann Landers’ advice column and tells the story of her family and personal life. Nothing too earth shattering here, just someone sharing their story with world. Which is nothing to discredit, just wasn’t something I found particularly riveting. I give it a solid “ehh.”

70. Ask 5 friends for book rec’s, then read read 5 of the suggestions

My friend Anna, the English major, is always reading something (more like several somethings) so I knew she would have some good suggestions for me when I asked her for book recommendations.

So, the first book I picked up was "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society" -- how's that for a mouthful when someone asks "So, what are you reading these days?"

Anna gave me brief descriptors for each of the books she suggested. For this one:

-1940's England, written in letter format. SO GOOD.

Worked for me. World War II era is this elusive yet still salient time in the world's history for my generation, so I am always intrigued by stories and books about that time.

In sum, this book is just delightful. Although it deals with some heavy topics about survivors of WWII, including a concentration camp survivor, the story is primarily uplifting, humorous, and a really fun read. It is, as Anna said, written in letter form. The main character, Juliet, is an author who has been tasked with writing a story to help the people of England transition/cope/remember/process in the immediate post-WWII years. A troupe of diverse and entertaining characters, most of them from an island called Guernsey, make up this novel that seems fairly realistic.

And it definitely made me want to visit Guernsey. Confession: I didn't even realize these small islands off the coast of France in the English Channel existed until I read this book.

1 book down, 4 to go -