The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer

This is a seriously long title and I’ve seen it on lists before as highly recommended but never read it. Well, don’t do what I did and ignore this book – it is so good. Even though it’s in Senior Fiction, almost anyone in high school could read it – a really feel good read.

I never knew about the Germans occupying the Channel Islands during the Second World War – had no idea about this. But they did – and that is part of the narrative of the book – islanders telling their stories of the Occupation. It’s a clever central idea that allows these stories to be told in easily digested portions, in a very readable way. And then there are several other stories linked in with this as well.

The novel is a series of letters to and from the main character who is an author. Watching her changing attitude to different people, Guernsey and life is a large part of the pleasure of the book.

The Weight of Heaven by Thrity Umrigar

Apart from loving Umrigar’s writing (I’ve read everything she has put out), I find books about India fascinating – maybe because part of me wants to go there but finds it “safer” via books. The basic story is told in the cover blurb – Frank and Ellie who were the perfect couple – in love and with a gorgeous boy – who find that the loss of a child can either make or break a couple.

We are taken into the hearts and minds of these two people to see how they have coped with the situation. Ellie decides to move on with life, while Frank can’t until he finds a “replacement” for their son. Moving to India to work for a company which could be seen as an exploiter of the indigenous people, doesn’t help their situation.

My only concern is the structure – would be interested to know what others think. Why not do a straight chronological narrative? Why cut the narrative to go back in time to catch up to the present, considering that we knew most of it already.

Get ready for lots of twists, turns and surprises.

Mr Rosenblum’s List by Natasha Solomons

Even though this is classified in Senior Fiction this book would suit most students – it is so delightful. It really gives an understanding of an immigrant who comes to his new country and wants so much to be a part of it and accepted that he will go to amazing lengths. I really adored Jack Rosenblum – knowing many Central European immigrants in my life, he was so real. His ever-patient wife could teach many things about getting along with spouses. This is a bit like Paul Torday’s Salmon Fishing in the Yemen – so funny because it is so ludicrous, yet you totally believe it all due to the wonderful characterisation. Try it and enjoy – the author is currently writing the movie script of the novel.

Avoiding Mr Right by Anita Heiss

Peta has a new high-powered job, but it is in Melbourne – far from her favourite beaches, friends and boyfriend. She is a feisty character, never letting people get away with saying anything about aboriginal people as she is proud of her background. Will she be able to stay faithful to James? Will she be able to stay sane in a city she always said she disliked? And what exactly are the qualities of Mr Right?

Bonjour Tristesse and A Certain Smile by Francoise Sagan.

The author was eighteen when she wrote the story of a girl (Cecile) who enjoys her life with her widowed father and his various mistresses. But then he decides to marry an old friend and Cecile starts plotting to get her old life back. In A Certain Smile, Dominique falls for an older married man, much to the concern of her lover. These were written in the late 1950’s reflecting the existential movement of the time.

Misery by Stephen King

This book was a read that really compelled me. I couldn’t put it down!! It’s about a famous author, Paul Sheldon, who wrote a bestselling series of books called Misery. Sheldon drives from a hotel during the winter, slightly intoxicated on icy roads, and crashes near a house. A woman named Annie Wilkes saves him and takes him to her house. As it turns out, Annie is Paul’s number one fan and she has no intention of letting him leave. Her obsessive behavior escalates throughout the book, with some disturbing twists and turns. If you want to read this book, rest assured you won’t sleep soundly after you finish. But I found it to be one of my favorite books in the end. Make sure you’re not easily scared when you want to borrow this book.