Goodreads Reviews: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

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

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A genuinely strong and thought provoking story that sheds light on an unfamiliar piece of WWII history. When the Germans invaded Guernsey (a small British island between England and France) the residents combat their enemies by forming (quite by accident) a book club that brings them all together. This society creates bonds of unity for the Guernsey islanders as they wait through bombs, invasion, slave camps and constant threats on their lives from the Germans.

Shortly after the war, Juliet Ashton, an up and coming writer has just published a book of her newspaper war writings and is becoming a London success. However, she is feeling the need to extend her talent and starts to feel writer's block hitting her hard. Then a letter comes from a young man from Guernsey; opening up an unexpected door for Juliet and her writing. Eventually, Juliet comes across the The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie society and finds herself caught up in the lives, memories, laughter, tears, joys and sorrows of the Guernsey islanders. And how one young women inspired an entire island to never give in, never compromise and never stop hoping.

Told entirely though letters, the book is a little difficult at first because there is no general introduction to the characters. Yet, like Juliet, the readers learns about a history and a people that overcome the worst of times through genuine good will and no small amount of laughter. Every letter is a character in itself. As you continue to read each letter you get a better understanding of the character as they are slowly revealed in their own writing.

This was a wonderful read, but it did not shirk past the the dark and terrifying actions of the Nazi occupiers and the price that the islanders of Guernsey had to pay to stay alive. Charming and humorous, while at the same time filled with depth and reality. This book tells of the home front wars that defied enemy tyranny and fear and the courage to rebuild a new life.

Goodreads Reviews: Anne of Green Gables

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

One of the best books I ever read when I was young. Set in the turn of the century in the heart of Prince Edward Island, Canada, Anne Shirley is a lonely young orphan who finds escape in reading. Lively, talkative and endearing, Anne also has a beastly temper due to her hated red hair and woe be to anyone who comments negatively on it.

Anne's parents died when she was a little girl and she has been passed on from family to family who give little to no affection to her. Anne soon finds all her dreams come true when she is told that Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, an elderly brother and sister living in the tiny province of Avonlea, want to adopt; however, a mistake is made when she finds out that they had wanted a boy. Although Anne has won the heart of Marilla's reserved brother Matthew, she must prove her worth to strict no-nonsense Marilla Cuthbert. That's easier said than done when she finds herself in constant trouble.

Eventually, Anne begins to find her place among the the Avonlea residents and becomes bosom friends with sweet Diana Berry, enemies with jealous Josie Pie and wants nothing to do with Gilbert Blythe who called her 'Carrots' the first day of school.

A wonderful story for all ages that is filled with humor, wit, romance and heartbreak.

Goodreads Reviews: Poldark

Ross Poldark by Winston Graham

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After fighting for England in the Revolutionary War, Captain Ross Poldark is excited to return to his family of home of Nampara, in the small, but lively mining town of Cornwall, England. Except, home is not how he left it. His father has died, leaving the estate in debt and ruins. The town is starving due to the empty mines and no work and his fiancee Elizabeth is engaged to his cousin, Francis Poldark. Of course this engagement is not out of spite, but rather that Elizabeth and all of Cornwall have been under the impression that Ross was killed in war.

All of this, especially Elizabeth's engagement is a massive blow to Ross, but he is hardly one to shrug his shoulders and give up. He returns to his father's farm and puts it back together, he opens up the mines and starts to make investments so people can have employment. And as for Elizabeth, their relationship flounders in and out. Sometimes amiable and other times awkward.

Enter Demelza Carne. An impoverished fourteen year old who has escaped her alcoholic father's abuse. Ross saves Demelza (or actually her dog who was being put up for a dog fight) and out of pity for her situation, takes her in, cleans her up and hires her as a scullery maid. Demelza unexpectedly flourishes under Ross' care and spends the next several years at Nampara, happy to serve her new master.

Eventually, whispers up and down the coast about Ross' pretty young scullery maid begin to get a little loud in Ross' ears. With his family turning against him and his town in despair, Ross makes a decision concerning him and Demelza that could either be his downfall or his salvation.

*********

I (probably like many other people) had only found out about the Poldark saga due to the BBC drama series of the same name that premiered in 2015. I was surprised to find out how old the Poldark books were and that they have always been very popular. I was pleasantly surprised at how well the book followed the first half of season 1 of the show. The book itself is rich in material and details and above all, wonderful characters from Ross' wealthy family, to the generous working men and women of Cornwall.

Ross is a wonderfully likable character. Certainly not perfect by any means, but is very real in his desire to better his community as well as remain a moral and honorable man. Everyone in Cornwall is in someway touched by the bravery, understanding or downright recklessness of Captain Poldark. In this way the rest of the characters such as the Poldark family, Demelza, the coal mine workers, the families of Cornwall and even Ross' enemies challenge Ross to be better than he believes he can be and to become an unlikely ally and savior to all of Cornwall.

New blog look

While watching Avengers: Infinity War, I completely revamped my blog layout for a simpler, cleaner, more streamlined look and I love it!

Happy Saturday!

There really is no point behind this post; I just thought the blogging community could use a little bit of a young and ridiculously handsome Dumbledore (played by one of my teenage crushes, Jude Law) for this Saturday.

Downton Abbey Movie!

Yes! It's official! A new Downton Abbey movie is in the works right now!

I found out last month through Laura Carmichael's (Lady Edith) Instagram and figured it should be shared!

I am so excited!!! 

Oh, the news hosts are incredibly annoying and half of the video is literally them driveling on about other things that have no relation to the Downton Abbey movie. 
So stop the video at 1:50.

Thor: Ragnarok

     The third and final installment of  Marvel's successful Thor series wraps up with a colorful, end of the world bang. Anyone who knows their Norse mythology, would know that Ragnarok is the prophesied end of the Asgard (the realm of the greatest gods and goddesses). Every known enemy against Odin and his people would ally together to bring the destruction of the once golden realm. Any survivors would be sent to Midgard (Earth) to start new lives as mortals...at least according to the prophecy.

     Meanwhile, anyone who has seen Captain America: Civil War would notice the absence of the handsome god of thunder as well and the great green Hulk. While the Avengers were fighting among themselves, believing that they were saving the world, Thor and Hulk were literally saving the universe. 

Thor, Hulk, Valkyrie, Heimdall, Loki, Grandmaster, Hela

     After the fight in Sokovia, Thor has dedicated the last two years in defeating the monsters that could bring about the actual destruction of Asgard. While battling Surtur of Muspelheim-who is thought to be leader of Ragnarok-Surtur informs Thor that his father is no longer residing in Asgard. Thor defeats the Muspelheim monster, believing he has now ended Ragnarok (before it even began) and returns home.

     When he arrives, Thor notices some changes. Heimdall the gatekeeper has disappeared and Odin is there, but he is not Odin, but rather Loki posing as Odin to have control over Asgard. Shockingly enough, Loki has done very well as ruler, but it doesn't negate the fact that Odin is gone by Loki's own doing. The brothers' travel to Earth and eventually find their father who is in his last minutes of life. 

     Before he leaves Earth, Odin forewarns his sons of a coming evil that he has tried to hide. Unbeknownst to Thor and Loki, they have an older half-sister Hela, the ruler of Helheim, the realm of dead. Hela returns to take back Asgard for herself believing it is her right as the oldest to take over. Crazy, delusional and power-hungry, Hela doesn't waste time in wreaking havoc for both sons of Odin, sending them flying across the universe.

     They both land (but are separated) on the planet of Sakaar, a garbage planet inhibited by lowlifes, slavers, gamblers, and burnouts. Fortunately, Thor runs into Bruce Banner/the Hulk who is now a showfighter for the outrageous Grandmaster that runs the planet of Sakaar. Thor also meets Valkyrie, a legendary female soldier who once fought against Hela, but was defeated. Since then, Valkyrie has spent her life drinking, partying and in a constant state of hopelessness.

     Life on Sakaar is nothing but showfighting and gambling, a life that Thor has no interest in, especially since his home has been taken over by Hela and her comrades. Eventually, Thor and Hulk team up with Vakyrie and Loki and manage to leave Sakaar to fight for Asgard's survival. Yet an unexpected twist in the understanding of the actual Ragnarok prophecy becomes the actual defining line between life and death for Thor, Loki and the realm of Asgard. 

    As compared to the fairy tale quality of the first film and the sci-fy mystery element of the sequel, both of which had serious dramatic undertones, Ragnarok was very, very different. Ragnarok, while very humorous, much more so than the prior two films, didn't really seem to fit into the trilogy. The complete tone of the Thor story had changed dramatically and the storyline tended to be very disjointed in many ways and there seemed to be no connection at all. I actually fell asleep during the middle of the film, because it just seemed to drag on and on.

     I'm not going to be entirely unfair here, the acting on all fronts was great and Thor's character arc just comes full circle! Loki is still Loki, love him or hate him, the Marvel franchise really can't do without him now. Yet, he did have his unexpected redemptive moments as well. While it might be my least favorite of the Thor trilogy, Ragnarok was most certainly its own story that wasn't really about ending the trilogy, but rather leading into Avengers: Infinity War.

Lately (feat. Ross and Demelza Poldark)

     Getting back into blogging is infinitely more difficult after taking a yearlong break, but I'm getting through. I never realized how crazy my blogging was in 2015 and 2016 even though I had set some pretty high goals for my site and managed to meet all of them (except for finishing my stories!). However, since I have been jobless all summer, I've had plenty of time on my hands, but have simply had no inspiration at all. 

     The job issue has taken a turn for the better and I've been hired to nanny for a good friend (whose children I already care for) from Tuesday to Saturday in the evening time. This has been glorious for me! While it's not perfect, it's a job and it's with someone I trust and I know is honest with me. My hours are from 5 to 9:30 so it's not very long, but it's something! Meanwhile I can still work in the shop in the morning time as well as still go to the gym.

      I don't know if I have ever mentioned in on here, but I am a complete gym and workout fanatic! I go three nights a week and then between those nights I do an in home walking program. It's paying off too because I've finally started to lose a good amount of weight, which I desperately to lose and I was horrified to find out that I was in the overweight zone according to my BMI. Now, I'm at a healthy weight and hoping to reach my new goal by my sister's wedding in September.  

     Meanwhile, my summer has been absolutely wonderful! I've even managed to go to the beach a couple of times, which I haven't been to go to in ages. I also went to Busch Gardens and the Zoo and it felt great just to go out and have some fun. Sadly I haven't been able to see all the movies I wanted to see. The Incredibles 2 is off the list because of epilepsy awareness, but I really want to see Mama Mia 2 and Christopher Robin of which I've heard that both are fantastic!

     On a slightly more serious blogging note, I've noticed that my reading list of blogs that I follow are pretty much the same three or four blogs over and over again. While I'm hoping that Blogger isn't becoming a thing of the past, I do realize that Blogger's golden days that were between 2010 and 2015 have definitely come to end. The people that I followed have grown up, graduated, gotten married (I've done at least one of those three things) and so their blogs have become secondary and just non existent in their lives. So, I have a lot of cleaning up on my reading list to do. 

     I am hoping to find more blogs to follow because I enjoy getting to know people and their lives and I certainly could never give up blogging. I just need to learn to put the i-Phone down and get back into what I love the most and that's writing...and reading. As you can tell I've read almost 30 books in my Goodreads Challenge, it should probably be more by now, but I think I'll be able to just squeak by. Day by day...

Wow, I hope everyone manged to make it through this post!

Thank you Ross and Demelza Poldark for putting down your drama 

and bringing your sheer adorable and in love selves to this post.