Summer is finally with us and not only are our wardrobes getting lighter but often our selection in books as well. In winter there are few things better than curling up in front of a roaring fire and diving into a meaty book, but as we ditch our heavy jackets in celebration of the warm weather we also tend to choose a less weighty reading material commonly referred to as a “beach book.” These “beach books” are often the perfect complement to a sandy shore and cool glass of lemonade and are characterized by their pure entertainment value rather than literary merit. This summer, however, if you are searching for a book that is fulfilling while still retaining a portion of lighthearted entertainment The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society fits the bill. Authors Mary Ann Shaffer, who sadly passed away in February of 2008, and her niece Annie Barrows together have penned this gem of a novel, which is light enough for summer, but will stay with you, charming you into appreciating the smaller joys and eccentricities of life.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society takes us to England in 1946, a time when the world was still reeling from the end of World War II. The protagonist of the novel is a female author by the name of Juliet Ashton, who through a series of coincidences is contacted by Dawsey Adams, a pig farmer on the British island of Guernsey and a founding member of the novel’s namesake literary society. Juliet’s correspondences with Dawsey continue, and he puts her in touch with other members of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. She is struck by their unusual name, and endeavors to learn more about the isle’s inhabitants. Through their written correspondences Juliet learns about their struggles with Nazi occupation on the island and both her fascination with their stories as well as her emotional attachment to her burgeoning friendships grow. Concurrent with these communications, Juliet is also in constant contact with her editor and close friend Sidney Stark as she is attempting to find the idea for her next book. She comes to realize that the stories of her new friends on Guernsey could prove to be the inspiration she was looking for. Juliet sets sail for Guernsey, but research is not all that awaits her there, as her time on the island proves to be more life changing than she could have possibly anticipated.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is written entirely in epistolary style, abandoning the usual narrator format, relying only on the letters written between characters to form the novel. While it may be initially jarring for the reader, the stories and experiences of individuals are a crucial part of the novel and this format does them justice as it allows the reader to hear the stories first hand without the filter and bias of a narrator. Because Juliet sends and receives so many letters from various people it can be difficult at first to keep track of the characters, which are quickly introduced in rapid succession and often referenced in other characters’ letters. The reader may need to flip back a few pages to ensure that they have the names straight but, due in part to the openness that the use of letters provides, the characters are quickly and beautifully fleshed out and show strong personal identities.

World War II is a defining character in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. It is an ominous connector throughout the novel, whether in Juliet’s descriptions of the rubble in London from the Blitz or hearing of personal trials and suffering during Nazi occupation on Guernsey. Unlike many books centered around World War II, however, this novel focuses less on dwelling in the tragedy and more on hope for the future, rebirth and new life. Ultimately it produces an optimistic message that does not wallow in the devastating events of the past but takes the lessons learned from them and puts them toward a better future.

While war is a large factor in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, at its core it is a story of love between neighbors, friends, families and lovers. The authors utilize the backdrop of World War II to emphasize the importance of the simple pleasures in life, how small acts of kindness can drastically change someone’s life, to relish in the individual personality quirks of our friends and to cherish life’s little gifts. It gracefully combines humor, melancholy and love of all kinds; unless you are in the mood for a weighty and depressing biography, it is hard not to enjoy it. What is refreshing about this book is that it can be a great read for a fun day at the beach, but unlike so many other “beach books” it offers more than just quick entertainment value. While obviously a work of fiction, the historical aspects are well researched. The Bailiwick of Guernsey is one of the Channel Islands and while they are not part of the UK they have pledged allegiance to the Crown and were the only part of British soil that was forced to endure Nazi occupation, providing a unique setting for this novel.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, while at times can drag slightly and may be more appealing to a female audience, will linger with you after you have finished reading it, and inspire you to ponder over the little things in life that put a smile on your face. It is a book about the power of books: in the beginning of the novel Juliet writes, “Perhaps there is some secret sort of homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers.” Let The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society warm your heart this summer; along with a cool drink it will prove to be an ideal companion.