Recommendation of the Week

My new favorite novel and holiday gift recommendation is The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Schaffer and Annie Barrows. I realize that the title is quite a mouthful, and I get a lot of raised eyebrows when I first mention this title to friends, but this is a literary gem of a novel! Part Jane Austen, part history lesson, it is a novel in letters and telegrams exchanged over the course of nine months shortly after the end of World War II. The novel celebrates community (you will fall in love with this eccentric, charming set of characters!) and is a tribute to the magic and healing power of great literature. Everyone I've recommended this to LOVES it!

I did a bit of research, and it appears that there is also a strong running community on the island of Guernsey in the English Channel! The Guernsey Island Amateur Athletic Club coordinates track workouts every Tuesday and Thursday, and during the winter there are races every weekend ranging in distance for 1-23 miles. Non members and visiting athletes are welcome to compete in their races or join them for training. Boy oh boy, I would love to squeeze in a workout with the GIAAC this winter!!

I'm particularly intruiged by their All Terrain Challenge, a series of 7 races over 7 days, including a 5 mile cliff path race. All the races start at 6:30 at night, and results are posted at a local bar (the English Channel equivalent of Crossroads!). This would be an absolute blast!! I'll have to look into their overseas membership.