In this sweet and intriguing book, set in London just after World War II has come to an end, writer Juliet Ashton is looking for something new to write about. At that time, she receives a letter from a stranger, a man living on the island of Guernsey. This Channel island was occupied by the Germans during the war, and has just been freed. The man, Dawsey, has found Juliet’s address inside a used book, and they begin a friendship through letters. Juliet finds herself drawn to Dawsey and his charming friends, who formed the “Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” one night to save themselves from German officers who found the group out past curfew. The novel is told all in letters, so we see many sides of the story as Juliet corresponds with her friends both new and old. I couldn’t put this book down, and want to be friends with all the characters.

“Howl” is one of the most perfectly titled poems I’ve ever read. It is indeed a howl. A howl of rage, of joy, of fear, frustration, celebration, and triumph. I read it when I am angry and I read it when I need confirmation. It is stark and beautiful, profane and poetic all at once. Not enough people read more than the iconic first line… “I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked…” Read it for yourself…it gives a picture of the Beat Generation, but it is certainly still relevant today. This is the original cover, published at City Lights Bookstore in San Francisco.

If you read this in high school, read it again. If you’ve never read it, do it now. Gatsby has become prosaic with over reading in classrooms, but it is so much more than that. Fitzgerald is a true artist with his word choice and phrases: “yellow cocktail music,” and a “voice like an angry diamond,” to name a few. The story is nostalgic and hazily beautiful, with characters so flawed you can’t help but love them all. The achingly lovely imagery is offset with Fitzgerald’s wry humor. This is a book I read again and again, and there is nothing quite like that last page.

This is an extraordinary book. It covers centuries of time and crosses continents, all in the space of a couple weeks. Unique and magical characters from an apprentice perfumer to a Pan-like ancient god take us on a fantastic odyssey for happiness, love, the perfect perfume, and a way to live forever. There really is no describing this book. It will sweep you away and inspire you, it will make you laugh, it will make you think. Fabulous.

Designed as a tongue-in-cheek “field guide” of Bohemians and their lifestyles, this book is good to read again and again, for laughs, inspiration, of affirmation that your weird habits and tastes put you in good company with fellow artists, musicians, wanderers and wayfarers. Accompanied by gorgeous watercolor illustrations by IZAK.

Great for ages 16 and up.