Escape into the pages of an old charity shop book: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Over the last year, many things have kept us entertained, bringing us out of the monotonous lockdown routine and into the wondrous world of fiction and fantasy. With Netflix, Amazon prime and Disney+ ruling our never-ending free time like an emperor, we cannot forget the oldest trick in the book: novels.

It's been a year to the day since our last moment of actual freedom. Freedom in the sense that we had no border-restrictions, no forbidding rules to see family and friends, no knowledge that this wouldn't go away within six weeks. It's been a year since I finished reading a book that was the first in a long time that sucked me into its spine and story and cradled me while I adapted to the constant inside world of lockdown: Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows' wonderful work: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.

A present from my mum and dad the previous Christmas, it was something that kept me feeling close to them, no matter how far the literal distance was. A favourite of hers, my mum had been recommending it for years (a recommendation that, during my teenage years, I had rejected) until she gave up and donated her own copy to the charity shop. Five years later, I was ready.

The cover had "Oxfam. £1.29" on the inside in neat, swirly handwriting. The spine was withered, and well-loved, and the beige pages were beautifully pristine - a sign of a good book in a charity shop I'd say. Published in 2007, it's a beautiful tale that transports you to another world, inviting you into the protagonist's mind via a series of intimate letters. From the first letter, I was hooked.

It is set in a post War period - a winner already as both First and Second war-time fascinates me; the community, the rebellion, the romance of forbidden love, the glamour, the contrasting sadness that overwhelmed the nation. What was particularly endearing, was the speech used throughout. It was so polite. Something somewhat forgotten nowadays in every day speech. It drew me in completely.

The story, follows writer Juliet Ashton finding her feet in post-war Britain - both in her personal and professional life. After one day receiving a letter from Dawsey Adams, a man on Guernsey, and member of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, who shares her love of author Charles Lamb, she strikes up a letter exchange. The book follows Juliet's desire to learn more about the Isle of Guernsey, and snowballs into a heartfelt amalgamation of the impact the war had on the island, community coming together, the literary society's history, pain and unlikely family in a time where family was scarce:

It's just wonderful.

Once more, Juliet is a young, independent modern woman, who was a successful columnist during the war. Post-war, she is lacking inspiration, and is looking for a new meaning in life to hold onto after her home was blitzed to debris, all the while travelling the country touring said successful column (with her fantastic publisher, Sidney).

Having been raised at boarding school after loosing her parents at the age of 12, Juliet grows up to be a strong-willed and witty 40's girl with a big heart. The most annoying part is her love interest, American Aristocrat, Markham Reynolds who smothers her with his intrusive affection. Long story short and a number of letters from Dawsey and the Society later, Juliet follows her heart to Guernsey to discover its story herself after hearing the awful trials and tribulations the Island had withstood.

The story's narrative invites you to be Juliet Ashton; therefore wanting to know everything in more detail. I was eagerly awaiting the next letter, prizing open each literary members character for their quirks and secrets and sad when I had to put my book down, wanting to savour every moment. The warmth of the society, and the emotional rollercoaster on which you are taken with this book encapsulates you at every turn. Each character introduced is another friend you have made - now I may sound like a crazy person here, but honestly, it was a comfort in a time where I felt low, isolated and alone.

In a legal post-lockdown world, a trip to Guernsey is definitely on the cards. The beauty described, the history of the island and everything in-between... although it'd be a sadness to not find the Society welcoming with open arms as an old friend, but alas, we live in reality, and not inside a fictional novel... though I know where I'd rather be at this moment in time.

Before I write this post as a GCSE paper (circa 2010, FYI we read To Kill a Mockingbird), I will stop my ramblings, and just urge you to fall head over heels for this book and its people, all of whom, I yearn to be best friends with. And even if it's not this book, get your head out of the iPad, iPhone, iScreen and dive headfirst into a novel, it's truly magical, I promise.

As an exception, if you enjoy this book as I did, you will want to see all version, every which way. The film, the Series, the Play (only one of which has been made... I'm holding out for a series next - BBC, you game?) to see if it has been depicted as you depicted it in your mind.

I love this book, and the writer in this book, and following reading this beautiful book (I've said book a lot - maybe it will sink in that you need to read it?) - please covet your sniggers - I've been inspired to write a book, in a slightly damped but albeit bright enough light bulb moment. So... if you're reading this, just watch this space. Maybe in a decade or two you'll see a novel by yours truly.

But for now, I'm going to refrain from rambling and go back to dreaming of Guernsey, and I hope you do too.