I belong to a book club. One of the things that I especially like about it (besides the great women who I associate with) is the variety of books we have read; books that I might not have chosen myself. I love the discussions we have and the insights the other women bring with them.
This month we read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. I highly recommend this book. It is the story of the German occupation of the island of Guernsey, one of the Channel Islands, during WWII. I loved the development of the characters, the vivid descriptions of the atrocities of the war, and the sweet and unexpected love story intertwined throughout. The interesting thing about the book is that the entire book was written in the form of letters.
During the discussion, we talked about how letters have really become a lost art. I mentioned my Grandma Stowell who was an avid letter writer and how much I loved receiving a letter from her because it was almost as good as a visit. She would describe in detail things that were happening, flowers that were growing, meals that she made, etc. When she passed away, I don't think I ever received another letter in the mail again. Going to the mailbox just isn't the same any more.
However, part of the discussion turned to, "is letter writing really a lost art or has it been transformed into other things...such as blogging?" Writing on a blog is something like an open letter and the comments become our correspondence. It made me feel much better about my blogging and now I know why I love to receive comments. What do you think?
11 comments:
I totally agree! I have heard a lot of buzz about his book. I must read it!
Ooh, I will remember this book when I finish the series I am currently reading. I've always wanted to be in a book club. Yours sounds neat.
Jake's Grandma is a "letter" writer. Every card she sends comes with a few pieces of stationery, always filled with a detailed letter.
I agree that letter writing has shifted and is found more in the form of a blog post or email, etc. It's still exists, just in different forms.
This is a great book. We just read this in my book group, although I missed the discussion. I agree letter writing has changed drastically. I much prefer typing to writing myself now. Except for Thank you notes there is nothing like receiving a hand written thank you. It makes it more meaningful. Great post!!
I miss Grandma's letters too. But some of my favorite letters over the years came from you. You wrote me some hilarious letters when you were in college. I still go to my mailbox everyday with a glimmer of hope of one of your letters. *sigh*
That's a good suggestion for bookclub. I've got to choose a title for our club in January. I'll have to check it out.
I think blogging has brought about a journaling and sharing that is quite amazing. People that have lost touch,and enjoy reading about the lives and feeling of their friends and relatives are really blessed by this outlet. I know I love getting responses from everyone! You still put a smile on my face and a giggle to my soul as I read your entries! I will have to look into the book as well.
I loved this book. So glad you liked it too. When I was finished with, I actually missed the characters. I just wanted it to go on and on. About letters, my mother was a letter writer, as was my grandmother. When my girls were little, they wrote to their grandma every week, as did I, and my mother saved all those letters. I now have them and plan to make a scapbook of them. It will be a great family history item. I think blogs are like modern letters. They turn our thoughts outward toward our friends and family and allow us to keep our connection to them.
Sounds like a really neat book! I know blogging definitely helps me with communication and record keeping. I have tried to keep a journal in the past, but have never kept it up. But, blogging gives it a different spin- makes it more fun to track what we are up to. And, the fun comments is what gives me the motivation to keep it up. It is the longest I have ever kept a "journal" (now I just need to finally get around to printing it....)
I love blogging and leaving this comment on your blog is a perfect example of why I love it so much. I mean, really, would you and I write letters back and forth to one another??? I don't think so. But this way I can keep in touch with people I love and admire and know what's going on in their lives and find out about good books, etc. Blogging is just the greatest on many different levels. It also helps me keep a journal of sorts and has relieved much guilt.
I loved this book too - I was so sad when it ended. And I miss my fun book club - I really should start another one down here. And my Grandma wrote great letters too - I should have saved them.
I love to write letters. I wish I had more time for it and I wish I got letters myself. It is always fun to get letters.
I want to read that book!!!! It sounds great. I LOVE letters and have hung on to many. What a treasure of your Grandma's. I wish letters existed more.
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