2009 Summer Reading List

The first of three books on my summer list is The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. Here is the Publisher's Weekly description: "The letters comprising this small charming novel begin in 1946, when single, 30-something author Juliet Ashton (nom de plume Izzy Bickerstaff) writes to her publisher to say she is tired of covering the sunny side of war and its aftermath. When Guernsey farmer Dawsey Adams finds Juliet's name in a used book and invites articulate—and not-so-articulate—neighbors to write Juliet with their stories, the book's epistolary circle widens, putting Juliet back in the path of war stories. The occasionally contrived letters jump from incident to incident—including the formation of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society while Guernsey was under German occupation—and person to person in a manner that feels disjointed. But Juliet's quips are so clever, the Guernsey inhabitants so enchanting and the small acts of heroism so vivid and moving that one forgives the authors (Shaffer died earlier this year) for not being able to settle on a single person or plot. Juliet finds in the letters not just inspiration for her next work, but also for her life."

Second on my list is this novel (don't you love the cover?). Heather Moore reviewed the Jamie Ford novel Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet on this website. Ever since I have thinking it would make a great addition to my summer reading list. In fact, a USA Today reviewer said it would be "the best book you'll read this year." Don't want to miss out on that!








Finally, something a little lighter. LDS author Josie Kilpack wrote Lemon Tart and I have been meaning to read it for months. The book description is as follows: "In this debut volume, cooking aficionado turned amateur detective Sadie Hoffmiller tries to solve the murder of her beautiful young neighbor a single mother who was mysteriously lured from her home while a lemon tart was baking in her oven. At the heart of Sadie's search is the woman s missing two year-old child. Whoever took the child must be the murderer, but Sadie is certain that the police are looking at all the wrong suspects including her! For an added treat, original mouth- watering recipes for Sadie's Lemon Tart, Homemade Alfredo Sauce, Carrot Cookies, Brownies, and Granny's Gingerbread Bundt Cake are sprinkled throughout the book."





What's on your summer reading list?

Scripture of the Day: Enos 1:1