HelenLee’s Comments (group member since Mar 07, 2013)

HelenLee’s comments from the L.E.a D.s Book Club group.

Dear friends,
So did your families in fact read the book?
I, too, believe that Juliet's book was a monument for Elizabeth.
The 2 really were parallel ladies. No wonder Juliet fit so well into the Island.
I did not know what golliwogs were. I didn't quite catch where they were mentioned but it does seem out of character for Juliet to be oblivious to them. I do wonder, was it possibly a sign of the times? Those are offensive playthings no matter what era we are in, but perhaps they just weren't as sensitive at that time?

Helen

Dear Friends,
That is super cool that the 3rd book is dedicated to Annie Barrows.
I would definitely like to read the G&S trilogy & possibly part take is in this exchange :)P

Helen

Dear ladies,

I love that you sent books in to family in Juliet fashion :)

Will return with more thoughts probably Monday.

Helen

Dear Friends,

I've always wanted to read G&S. I'd be ok with that being next.

I could always add a poll to choose, however, if people have other options. I've seen other clubs do that.

Helen

Not to take anything away from Guernsey (I don't think we are quite done with it) but should we start on suggestions for our next book?
Thoughts? Suggestions?

Dear Kindred Spirit,

oh yes, I would have loved to run around the island with Kit! What a great place to grow up!

Helen

Dear Amber,

Yes I am so glad you finished too! I will say that part II was the best part! I got through it really quickly & still wished there was more when I was done!

Helen

I finished tonight! Comments to come tomorrow!

Dear Friends,

Sorry for my absence! I have now read all of part I & will keep reading as time permits.

Mark Reynolds- Ruth I thought your description of him as a "stock character" was apt. At first I was reading & I thought he was perhaps the James Marsden of the book (perfect on paper but terribly wrong for the heroine) but as I read more I started to dislike him & he didn't deserve to be James Marsden anymore

I adore Isola. She is quickly becoming one of my favorite characters!

I really love that each character took one seemingly random book or author & spoke about them.

This book is really making me want to do more research about the time period & especially England. There are certain time periods that grab me & then I try to read as much on them as I can.

I'm reading as quickly as I can. & I have a notebook where I write observations & quotes. So many favorite quotes!
Oh & Ruth, your comment earlier about the greatness of real books. I have a quote for you from our dear Juliet, "Perhaps there is some secret sort of homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers. How delightful if that were true."
I think it must be true. That's how we found this lovely book.

Helen

Friends,

I would also be up for including letter collections!

Helen

Ruth,

Ah, yes I was bad. I was taught that one should always read the book cover to cover (including those acknowledgments & things) & I don't always do that.

I do not believe that its a function of age! I'm 27 myself (not early twenties but still). & I love that you related this book to Tony Stark!

I'm about 70 pages in. I'll try to read more tonight, but then it may not be until next week that I'm able to read more (weekends are my busy time at work).

Helen

Dear Friends,

Yes, Ruth the @ is a part of twitter conversation but people also use it on Facebook. It is a way to tag specific people.

I am loving this book so far! I had a little bit of trouble getting into it but now I'm pretty far into it & really really enjoying it.

I like to imagine that I would be very good friends with Juliet. Maybe she'd write to me too?
& I agree, the contrast between the two places is beautifully set up.

About the time period. I haven't read very much from this period but it reminds me of some of the Reconstruction parts of Gone with the Wind (I've just read that one so many times). I would imagine that these periods are pretty similar.

Ruth, I hadn't thought about the modern day Guernsey (I will probably misspell that word about half the time here) Islanders. Interesting notion. I'd want to be penpals with someone from Guernsey!

It would be interesting to find out how accurate the authors' portrayals are. I wonder, did they read any first hand documents or anything?

Helen

I finally started reading Guernsey last night. I'm about 50 pages in. really enjoy it so far!

Help us decide what other books to add to our "to-read" list

This discussion is for Guernsey only