Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What do you get when you add together a deep and searching writer with a bunch of quirky lovers of literature confined to an island? A wonderful love story. Not just a love story between two people, but between many many people. Not in a creepy polygamous kind of way, but in a love conquers all riveting story.

I LOVED this book. I listened to it while traveling across the country with three children a cat and a dog. (I almost accidently wrote a cat and a god. I always mix up my g and d fingers) But find it a funny slip because I think God was with me testifying of the truthfulness of the principle of love throughout the book. I think I would have loved the book more if I could have actually read it from paper, as the story was told by many letters written and received among lots of lovely characters. But, just so you know how fun and interesting these letters were, know that I wore a pair of headphones in my car so that I could drown out the children and pets and give complete focus.

I am so glad I persevered. Before the Guernsey island characters were introduced the book was a bore. Really, is there any way to lose for an author who places her story in the aftermath of World War II? Who doesn’t love reading about this fascinating time frame? I had personally never thought about how the war effected a little English Isle. To be honest, even though I will look totally ignorant, I didn’t even know the island existed before reading this fiction. I am just assuming the island is really there. Correct me if I am wrong.

The characters were to die for. An orphaned girl whose mother was sent to be imprisoned for helping out a suffering soldier. A boy who was sent off to the mainland to survive the war. Both children were raised by a literary society. A very loving literary society. I couldn’t help but think of my book club girls. The beauty of this literary society was the variety of personalities. There was one woman who was a witch and had a pet parrot. A man who was a simple farmer. A typical motherly loving sort. Then there was the love interest. He’s dreamy.

Add into the story a homosexual man. A survivor of the concentration camps. A rich American. A best friend (who happens to be the sister of the homosexual.) An arrogant and snotty and holier than thou (who is bound to make anyone religious person second think they’re close mindedness). And wha-la. It’s a story you won’t want to put down. Fascinating and personally rewarding. Entertaining. And most of all beautiful. It will make you want to be a hero or a heroine. It will make the most miserable of people want to be a Saint. More than anything, this great work of fiction is a testament to the power of people when they open their minds and love one another.

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Have a Little Faith: The Story of a Last Request by Mitch Albom

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have always loved the Jews. Anna Elovitz is one of the most wonderful people I know and she has been a wonderful friend since I was just a baby in High School. Her brother Adam took me on my first date. I was wearing the most ridiculous dress. Sorry Adam. I had no taste. What can I say? He was most gracious though. I am so relieved that those photos are all in someone’s attic about now. I am not even going to entertain the thought of sharing it. The Elovitz family is one of the best families I know.

Another book that I absolutely love was written by a Jew: Man’s Search for Meaning. Viktor Frankl was a very wise man. There is also another book about a Jew that I love. The Holy Bible: The New Testament.

Sorry, I wanted to give you some background of my knowledge of the Jewish faith. It’s limited. Very limited. I went to a Passover Feast once. I have seen menorahs in windows and I remember Anna having to do something on Friday nights sometimes because her Sabbath was from when the sun went down on Friday until the sun went down on Saturday.

This book, Have A Little Faith, was written by a Jew. It serves two purposes. It is first a wonderful testament to the power of faith. Secondly, it is a remarkable tribute and comparison between a beloved Jewish rabbi and a non Orthodox Christian pastor. Each have great faith. Each were completely inspiring.

I highly recommend this book to people of all faiths everywhere. I especially recommend this book to people without faith. I dog-eared half of the book, but let me give you just a few of my favorite parts:

The Talmudic translation of the account of the parting of the red sea. Mitch Albom remembered a religious school lesson fondly. God said to the angels who were celebrating the destruction of the Egyptians: “Stop celebrating. For these were my children, too.” Wow. God does love all his children, doesn’t He?

Rabbi Albert Lewis recounted the experience he had of trying to comfort a faithless physician who could not make his only belief in science save his sick brother. He had no one to blame but himself when people of faith can always blame God. Albert Lewis: “It is far more comforting to think God listened and said no than to think nobody’s out there.”

A conversation between a rabbi and his parishioner:
“So have we solved the secret of happiness?
I believe so.
Are you going to tell me?
Yes, Ready?
Ready.
Be satisfied.
That’s it?
Be grateful.
That’s it?
For what you have. For the love you receive. And what God has given you.
That’s it?
That’s it.”

I could go on and on, but I don’t want to ruin all the stories. They are each so inspiring. Collectively they are a bit overwhelming. In a good way. In a God way.

This is a quick read. I started one night at 11 p.m. and stayed up until 3 a.m. reading. I am slow reader. I never stay up that late. I couldn’t put the book down. It had the perfect mixture of laughing and crying and chillbumps.

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