Book Review: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Rating: Liked it!
I had a hard time at first getting in to this post WWII novel about a reporter who is looking for an inspiring topic to write a book on. By happenstance, she begins corresponding with a group of villagers who reside on Guernsey Island, in the English Channel between England and France. Guernsey, while not part of the UK, is a British Crown Dependency. Axis forces occupied the island during WWII. Hitler became obsessed with reinforcing the island and felt he had his foot in the door to capturing England. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is an epistolary novel that unfolds the experiences of the islanders during the occupation. The story was interesting and shed light on an aspect of WWII I had no idea existed. I think the letter-writing style took me about half the book to get used to, but once I did I enjoyed this quaint tale.

Book Review: The Glass Castle

Rating: LOVED IT!
I couldn't put this is a fantastic memoir about an unconventional childhood down. Jeannette Walls writes about life with dysfunctional parents who, despite (or perhaps in spite of) neglecting the physical well being of their children, foster a love of learning. This well written, engaging story unfolds the complex relationship Jeannette has with her parents and how she over comes such an unstable upbringing. I would recommend this book to anyone who is not offended by a little language. A great read!

Book Review: These Is My Words

Rating: LOVED IT!

I thoroughly enjoyed this end of the 19th century love story based on the author's great-grandmother's diaries. Our book group did this book last month and I couldn't put it down. It has all the action and interest of a war novel with highly complex characters and relationships. This book now has a place as one of my favorites!

Book Review: The New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance

Rating: Not for Mom, Not for Me

I first heard about this book through a review in People magazine. Surprised that a story about a Mormon girl living in New York could have a broad enough appeal to make it into People, I was curious and borrowed a copy from my lit friend.
Elna Baker moves to New York when she is 18 and overweight. She loses 80 lbs and suddenly is viewed (and views herself) as a sexual being. The story follows her struggle as she has teeters between both worlds of Mormonism and New York Singlism. As I read the book, I realized that I had already heard most of her anecdotes from This American Life and while I can't find video to back me up, I swear she was on "Last Comic Standing" several years ago.
My expectations were kind of high for this book. I was hoping to read something that showed Mormons in a positive light-- a story about how someone could have conservative standards, but still enjoy all life in a big city has to offer. Instead she spends the whole book trying to get away with as much as she can without actually breaking any big commandments-- which I guess is partly what a coming of age book is all about. Instead of experimenting, making mistakes and learning who she is and what she really wants, the book ends with her still immaturely compromising values, not any closer to knowing which world she wants to fully embrace. Overall, this book left me feeling really sorry and embarrassed for her.