Tuesday, February 10, 2009

What's Up With Me

So I'm sick. I have to say, I've had a pretty good season this year with fewer illnesses than usual but my luck has run out. I just hate being ill and it ticks me off! The only silver lining is that I'm not working tonight so that is a blessing.

My other news is that I'm almost caught up with watching Lost, and by caught up, I mean I have only two episodes left to watch. This is good and bad. Bad because I'm going to suffer serious withdrawal. But good because I'll have more time to read and catch up on blogs. Also good, because my husband was wondering if I'll perhaps do some cleaning around the house when I'm caught up. He's got a point.

Thanks everyone for your comments on my last post. I've been fairly picky with ARC's but I'm going to be even more so in the future. I want people to feel that they can trust my recommendations and not worry that I'm saying nice things because I got a free book.


So, remember that Potato Peel book that everyone was talking about last year? The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows to be exact. I decided to let all the hubbub die down before I read it and now that I have I've formed my own opinion. It's really quite a good book. It reminded me in the beginning of 84, Charing Cross Road because of the format - letters, and of the letter writer's love affair with books. I thought it was sweet and touching, but also sad and moving. The ending was perhaps a bit too sugary, but overall I enjoyed it very much and could see myself reading it again. If you know anyone who hasn't read it, I think this would make a great gift. I'm going to gift it to a few people I know next Christmas. Back when everyone was reviewing this I know a few people posted links to sites about the island of Guernsey. I've been meaning to see if I can locate some of those sites, but if you know of any I'd love to have the links.

18 comments:

bermudaonion said...

I hope you're feeling better soon.

Kristen M. said...

I'm surprised that the island hasn't cured you yet ...
(a little Lost humor for those in the know!)

I think that the 300+ waiting list at the library for Guernsey has finally petered out and I am like the last person on it. I'm glad to be reading it late too so that I can be out of the rush of reviews. Now there will just be the two of us, reviewing alone together. ;)

avisannschild said...

I'm sorry to hear you're sick, Tara! I hope you feel better soon! I've gotten behind on my blog reading so I missed you last couple of posts--I'm going to go back and read them now!

Ti said...

I missed the post you are referring to but I don't see it anymore. Unless it's some posts back. My reader must not be up to date because I have you in there.

Anyway... I am so sorry you are sick. I hope you feel better soon and don't worry about cleaning the house. There's always time for that later.

Eva said...

Hope you feel better soon! :)

Staci said...

I absolutely adored this book and those people that receive it as gifts will love you!!

Take care and I hope you feel better soon!!

Anonymous said...

I've got a couple of wikipedia links in my post:
http://fizzybeverage.blogspot.com/2008/09/guernsey-literary-and-potato-peel.html

Get well soon!

JoAnn said...

Nan (Letters From A Hill Farm) had some great links when she reviewed this book last fall. I predicted it will become the next literary vacation destination!

Les said...

I have a link or two in mine here, Tara.

Sorry to hear you're under the weather. Lots of folks sick here in Lincoln. Hope my husband doesn't catch what I had! Take care and get lots of rest.

Tara said...

bermudaonion, Thank you!

Kristen M, Haha, I love it! It should have cured me by now. Wow, what a waiting list! I won a copy, though I cannot remember who from.

avisannschild, thank you. I've been behind too.

Ti, I was referring to my last post and about ARCs. Thanks a bunch.

Eva, thanks!

Staci, I really hope that they will like it! Thank you.

softdrink, great, thanks for the links, I will check them out.

JoAnn, thanks for the suggestion. I avoided the links before since I hadn't read the book yet.

Les, thank you, I'll check them out. Seems like lots of sick people around here too.

Anna said...

I hope you feel better. Seems everyone is sick this time of year. Glad to hear you enjoyed Guernsey. It's in my TBR pile, and I hope to read it soon for the WWII reading challenge.

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric

christina said...

oh i hope you're feeling better.

i actually just finished reading guernsey a couple of days ago and enjoyed it as well. I was reluctant at first (I tend to get disappointed with so many rave reviews), but am glad I did. :)

Danielle said...

I enjoyed this as well--very light and easy going. Hope you're feeling better soon!

Tara said...

Anna, thank you. What a good book to choose for that challenge, I suspect it's lighter in lots of ways than typical WW2 fare.

Chris, I thank you. I really liked the book. I knew I wanted to read it but wanted the fuss to calm down a bit.

Danielle, I can see you liking this! Thanks a bunch.

Nan said...

Hey Tara, sorry you aren't feeling so good. As JoAnn wrote, I did post some Guernsey links:
http://lettersfromahillfarm.blogspot.com/2008/09/book-reportthe-guernsey-literary-and.html

I gave the book to an 80 year old woman for Christmas and she is thrilled. She had been wanting to read it.

As for me the more sugary the ending, the happier I am. :<)

Melissa said...

I listened to the audio version of this one, and it was great!

Hope you feel better soon.

Wrighty said...

I read this when it first out and I didn't know anything about it. I was in an online bookclub at B&N and the author joined us for a month. Actually her aunt wrote it but became ill and asked her niece to edit and finish it. Unfortunately she died before she got to see how well it did. I really enjoyed the book and the club and Annie Barrows was wonderful. She joined us almost every day and chatted about everything. She was also planning to visit the island of Guernsey in the future. Some people in the group already had been there so that was an interesting discussion too. She said she would give an update if she did get to go. It was a great experience and I'm glad I got to be a part of it. Hope you're feeling better!

Tara said...

Hi Nan, your links are great! I love the youtube video. I am for sure giving this to my mother in law.

Melissa, that would be fun to listen to - were there different voices for the characters? Thank you.

Wrighty, Hi! The online bookclub sounds like an amazing experience. It's very sad that the author never got to experience the success of her book. I realized that Annie Barrows writes the children's series Ivy and Bean that my daughter reads! Cool connection. I am feeling better, thanks! I think Cold-Eaze works.