Guernsey and Other Things That Sparkle
And NOW we’ve lost Billy Mays? WHAT is this world coming to? Who will inherit the “Best Infomercial Guy” crown now? Can’t be that Sham Wow guy because nobody’s gonna buy OxyClean from a prostitute beating perv. Unless it’s really on sale.
I don’t know why this commercial cracks me up, but it does. I laugh every time at the time sheet guy.
Did you know Rhode Island might shorten its name? When I first read that headline, I thought we were gonna have to call it Rhode or maybe R. Sometimes dropping a last name helps–like Madonna or Cher. But apparently this ministate is officially called State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. WHO knew? I didn’t. The people who want it changed say that the word plantation reminds America that Rhode Island had slaves– on plantations. Are they seriously using tax dollars and House/Senate money to discuss this? Rhode Island, I hate to break it to you, but nobody thinks of you when they think slavery. And I don’t even think my grandma’s old Encyclopedias (big heavy books of multiple volumes that contained Google-like information and were very expensive, eventually stinky, and hard to sell at garage sales) refers to RI as State of Rhode Island Blah Blah Plantation Etc. We have pop stars and commercial stars dropping like flies here. These are crazy times, and America needs you to focus on things that count. Like a national holiday honoring Ed McMahon in which we go to work in sweats so we can comfortably ponder his contributions to this world.
So over my vacation to Ireland and Scotland, I read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. It really wasn’t my type of book. I mean, Fabio was nowhere on the cover, so I had no assurance there would be romance and a big kissy payoff. But I LOVED this book. The first half was good. . .but the second half was awesome. It’s a quick read–written in letters, which also usually doesn’t thrill me. About 20 characters chime in, and I loved every one of them. Plus I learned something about the German occupation. Those sneaky authors–sliding in a little history. It’s just such a clever, magical book that makes you want to put down your own pen and never write again for lack of worthiness. During the German occupation, “Elizabeth” and other Guernsey folk get caught out past curfew. So Elizabeth tells the soldiers they’re just coming home from their book club. Then to carry off the lie, they all have to start a book club, with everyone getting a book and talking about it. It is so genius to see how the war affects their lives, how this character Elizabeth affects their lives, and how each person’s book selection affects them. I’m tearing up now just thinking about it–this book will GET you. It’s a beautiful message on the power of kinship in hard times, the broad definition of family, and the power of books.
Mary Ann Shaffer wanted to write this book on what she had learned about the actual island of Guernsey, but toward the end of the project, she got too sick to continue. So her niece, an author, helped her finish. Mary Ann passed away, but not before knowing that her book would be published and that it was expected to be a big, big deal. I love Amazon’s author spotlight with the niece. You can see it HERE. I love how articulate the author is about the book. Whenever I’m asked about my books, I’m always like, “Um…it’s about a girl…and she has problems…and there’s a boy…he has two legs.” Really profound. I love to talk about other people’s books though!
Anyway, Guernsey was so good. I finished the book in the Scotland airport, and two different times I was wiping away tears and feeling like a TOTAL sappy cow. And there’s this character in the book that I just want to be when I grow up. Or tomorrow. I’d take tomorrow. It’s also one of those books that when people see the cover, they will stop you and expect you to talk to them about it. It’s a total conversation starter. People stopped me in the Shannon, Ireland airport to talk about it. I love that. Plus, it’s a beautiful cover. It’s weeks later, and I still can’t stop thinking about this book. THAT’S a sign of a good book. And I don’t mean I’m still thinking about it in the icky sense like when I read the first half of Kite Runner and was scarred for life and wanted to gouge out my own eyeballs. Or when I had to read this “great novel” in college called Lolita and I wanted to barf on my professor. Not like that at all!
So I’m giving away a copy of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society! Because I think everyone should read it. And then we can ALLL want to be this one particular character in the book. (But I have first dibs.) To win, all you have to do is leave a comment in answer to this question: What is one thing you are looking forward to this summer? Mine is just having time off. Which I’m wasting. Because I’m a time off waster. Someone told me today not to feel guilty about “doing nothing” because in a few months when I was writing/teaching/deadline stressed, I could think on my happy days of nothingness. And it’s true. Pondering nothing always perks me up. You have from now until this Thursday evening to to leave your comment to win the book. The new proud owner of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society will be announced Friday.
Last night I went to my church’s fireworks show. This is our second year to have them, and they do an awesome job.
My camera does not do an awesome job. I like how it takes a simple image of pretty fireworks. . .
And makes it look like Armageddon. . .plus a few sparklers.
It’s the end of the world. . .and it’s pink and smells like bottle rockets.
We have three giant crosses on our church grounds, so it’s cool to see the fireworks against that backdrop.
Because nothing says we love Jesus like explosives.
I was sitting there on the church grounds with the 1000s of other people (and my mom and aunt), and I noticed the people behind us screaming and laughing. They were getting drenched, but I had no idea where the water was coming from. Then about fifteen seconds later…the water hit us. I totally got HOSED. Seems the church forgot to turn their sprinklers off. And these are not your typical sprinklers. These are like put out a burning building sprinklers. Water the Sahara sprinklers. Take out small children and elderly sprinklers. Ruin a girl’s Chi’d hair sprinklers. . .
Side note: A friend just emailed me from Gulf Shores and sent this picture with the following caption…
“Obviously we aren’t going dolphin watching tonight.” (Speaking of Armageddon… That looks straight from the movie.)
Don’t forget to leave a comment between now and Thursday evening (cutoff time somewhere between Charlie Gibson and Letterman) to be entered to win Guernsey. You do not want to miss this book. Also stay tuned for zany trip pics and an interview with awesome author Kathleen Fuller, where I ask her what is the DEAL with all these Amish books. You won’t want to miss it.
See you Wednesday!
JEN
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Ooooh, please enter me in the book drawing. I have been positively dying to read the Guernsey book! The thing I’m most looking forward to this summmer…well since I don’t have any time off to speak of, I’d say the thing I’m most looking forward to is the new Harry Potter movie. Is that too shallow? LOL
Ruth, I am so excited for the new Harry Potter. They better hurry up and film the rest…those kids are gonna be gray headed!
Sounds like a great book, and it has to be if you were reading it while in Ireland and Scotland. Maybe it was a good antidote for that green intoxication one gets when traveling through Ireland?
I wouldn’t mind winning the book so it could compete against the wall of books I am reading that sit next to my bed. I am still reading a really great one by Colin Irwin, “In Search of the Craic: One man’s pub crawl through Irish music.” I bought it in Uxbridge, England in 2004. Some literature needs to be absorbed.
By the way, your ramblings are great to read so please send me a notice whenever you post.
That commercial is so funny. I watched it 3 times.
Fireworks are cool. Our area has a balloon glow/fireworks/concert thing every 4th and I love it. We have been going for years with my Dad. The 4th of July is my absolute favorite holiday.
I love the Guernsey book. I am on my second time reading it. I read it last year but I read a lot of books so it could use a reread. I think it will be a modern classic.
That cloud is so interesting. We went to Gulf Shores two years ago and I like it a lot better than Destin, FL. I am ready to go back. No beach plans yet though.
Armageddon is one of my favorite movies. Every time I hear the Aerosmith song Don’t Want Miss a Thing (I think) I think of it.
Ok, are we like twins? When my husband told my Billy Mays died, that is exactly what I said!! (And scarily almost word for word too!)
I tried reading the Guernsey book around Christmas, but the letter format and lots of characters confused me, so I gave up and read something else. I’m going to have to go back and read it now, since I totally trust your opinion on books. (I’m finally checking out Meg Cabot’s Mediator series!)
I’m looking forward to ALA (American Library Association) conference in two weeks-librarians, authors and free books-it’ll be awesome!:)
I’ve been wanting to read that book for awhile now
But my lack of money has stopped me…
My parents were right when they said money doesnt grow on trees..
anyways I think what I am most looking forward to this summer
Is beach time!!!! I live an hour away from gulf shore!! So thats what I’ll be doing this summer
I laughed out loud to the Armageddon-fireworks thing and got strange looks from people near me.
The Guernsey book looks really good! I don’t think my numb summer brain can handle it just yet, but maybe in a few months.
I LOVED The Guernsey book!!! I listened to it on audiobook. It was really, really great. I read it originally b/c my agent recommended it. (don’t enter me for the contest, bTW)
Camy
This book sounds so good. It’s going on my list of must-reads even if I don’t win it, thanks to this post. I adore this summer. I work from home, and I’m loving having my kids around me and not having to haul them to and from school. The thing I’m most looking forward to is finishing the first draft on my novel (or nearly finishing at least). I also feel like it’s time for a change in my job – it might be minor or it may be huge – and I’m looking forward to figuring that out and making the change at the end of summer.
I have the potato peel pie book on my short list of books to buy. I hope it includes a recipe — I love potato peels.
I liked the Kite Runner — you didn’t? It was intense, I’ll give you that.
You had the 4th of July fireworks on June 30? What’s up with that? Do they repeat on the 4th?
I personally liked the boss’s hand gesture explosion — I’m very uncool, so I could relate.
I’ve heard of Kathy Fuller…hear she’s awesome!
Please enter me for the book!
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This summer I”m looking forward to going to Family Camp, and Wonderland, and acting as “Professor Word Smart” in VBS
Yeah, and why did you have your fireworks on the 30th? We’re having fireworks tomorrow, but that’s because this is Canada, so it’s Canada Day.
Ruth, btw, I think you will really like Guernsey. It’s like an old movie, yet zippier. The main character, an author, is so classic movie-ish. Think Kate Hepburn Philadelphia Story.
Mike, I have some books that have been sitting in my TBR pile since the early 2000s too. Just this week I was thinking, “I really need to read that book on Alice Roosevelt I bought ten years ago…”
Brittanie, what is a balloon glow? Sounds interesting!! And Gulf Shores is great! Anywhere beach is great…
Sarah, give Guernsey a second chance. I don’t know if I hadn’t been limited to one book, on a plane, if I would’ve finished it. I decided early on in the book that I’d keep reading even tho I was confused who was who. Then I figured out that all I needed to know was that there was the author, then her boss, Sidney (guy), then Sid’s sister (sophie? don’t remember), who is the author’s BFF. Everyone else is a Guernsey citizen. And by the second half, you’re sucked in. And except for book 6, I LOVED the Mediator series, which also is not a book that would typically be my thing.
Tammy, totally wish money did grow on trees. But I’m so terrible with my yard/plants, I’d screw that up. And how cool that you live so close to Gulf Shores. Niiiice. We will all be over at your house next week.
Nicole, Guernsey is a light read, I promise.
Camy, I’m so glad you liked the book too. I do not have the attention span for audio books though.
Serenity, congrats on almost finishing your first draft on the novel!!! YAY!!! That is awesome. And I totally understand about job changes–sometimes you just need something else. Love that you can feel something in the air. Mary Poppins could too. . .
Natalie, I’ve heard Kathleen Fuller is THE name to watch in Christian fiction… No idea why the fireworks are so early. I guess it gives us a chance to go to others in the area? I know I’m in the minority, but Kite Runner made me feel gross for months. I could not get that one rape scene out of my head. It was too visual and made me sick. I didn’t read the last 40 percent, but the first half was such a downer and hopeless. I just can’t read that sad stuff. Can’t watch Extreme Home Makeover either…ha.
Hi Jenny!
i totally enjoyed your book So Not Happening! i cant wait for the next book in the charmed life series. i really loved the main character bella and wish i had access to her credit cards lol. What im looking forward to this summer is spending time with my friends because in the fall i will be a senior and things are going to be changing and this year will fly by. I just want to enjoy this summer as a kid. it would be nice to have a job too. God bless!
I’d love to read that book! I’m going to mention it to my mom, AFTER you announce a winner. Why buy it just yet when you can win it?!
This summer I’m just looking forward to hanging out with friends, cooking delicious food and being lazy [when not at work].
of course billy had to die! although his comercialls are annoying he just made me laugh!
and if you have heard of susie mag? the brio replacement? its surprisingly good…. except i dont like all the pink they put in them- i mean all girls are different and mostly girls dont like too much pink. and the logo- it looks like a little kid drew it…. other than that its a pretty great magazine!
I am looking forward to my very first niece into this world come late July!
Hmm, one thing I’m looking forward to doing this summer is finally finishing all the books on my book list. And now that you’ve talked about Guernsey, I want to add that to my TBR list too. So please enter me in the contest to win!
Loved your friend’s pic of the ocean — gray skies are my favorite. Though that would kind of spoil the dolphin watching. Maybe they could switch it to using-your-tongue-to-catch-raindrops.
Hey my fav teacher, those fireworks were pretty cool but you should see our show at our house. We have a big party and set off 18 mortors at once. It is pretty cool ,and we also have a big cook out with smoked beef and chicken!!!!! Oh and we also have all the sides to go with. Hey if you wanted to come you can. Just let me know if you can come and I will give you all the info.
From your fav student,
Tatianna Adler
Aw, Tatianna, what a sweet offer! You guys have fun with all that food and fireworks. If I don’t hang out with my family on the fourth, they cry. It’s ugly.
Hannah, I have a big pile of TBR too. I keep reading, but it doesn’t get smaller.
Ashley, nieces are the BEST! I’m hanging out with mine all day tomorrow!
ME, Susie mag is great! I love it and am so proud of that mag.
Stephannie, thanks for the thumbs up for the book. And you’re right, your senior year goes by lightning fast. The fastest year of your life. Enjoy (and document) every minute.
Jennifer, being lazy is awesome. I highly recommend it.
Melodie, acting in VBS is probably one of my top five things to do all year. I LOVE it. Enjoy that!
You’re right — the author really made me want to read her book.
I’m going to fly to Tulsa in August to spend a week with a close friend. We’ll be quilting, dyeing fabric, shopping, eating great food…I’m super excited!
I would enjoy reading that book. This summer my biggest plans are to spend quality time with my kids(ages 7 & 11). We have already started by exercising together. We also enjoy curling up on the couch with a good classic Disney movie.