Saratoga Reads to wrap up season with special event

Saratoga Reads invites the public to a special event on Friday, April 16, to explore the "story behind the story" for this year's book of choice,The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society,by Mary Ann Schaffer and Annie Barrows.The event will take place 7-9 p.m. at the New York State Military Museum, 61 Lake Ave., Saratoga Springs.

The evening will include an insider's view of the creative process and inspiration behind the New York Times number-one best seller and a look at its distinctive setting the English Channel Island of Guernsey during and immediately after World War II. The event will also offer a reception with refreshments to celebrate the volunteers and sponsors who make the community-wide reading program possible.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, a fictional story told through a series of letters, depicts the war-time travailsof a group of neighbors on Guernsey island, which was occupied by the Germans during 1940-45. Said a review of the book in the Boston Globe, "The letters that make up this novel shed light on the suffering of the Channel Islanders during the German occupation, but there is also a rich vein of humor."

The speaker for the evening will be Sara Loyster, a close friend of late author Mary Ann Shaffer and a member of the writing group that encouraged Shaffer in the creation and publication of  Guernsey. Loyster is also well acquainted with Shaffer's niece, Annie Barrows, who finished the book after the death of her aunt. Loyster will share stories and recollections of the authors and their process for creating the Guernsey story.

In addition, the event will include background information on Guernsey and access to the Military Museum's exhibitions, which include a World War II component.

"The Military Museum is an apt venue for this Saratoga Reads capstone event, given the book's context of war and the personal stories that emerge from that strife," said Tabitha Orthwein, chair of the board of Saratoga Reads. "We are pleased that the museum is making its exhibitions available to us for the evening."

Added Orthwein, "We will conclude the event with a reception and special tribute to the many people in the community who have helped to make our reading program a success. We seek to engage readers of all ages and levels, and community support is crucial to that goal."

Saratoga Reads is a Skidmore College-Saratoga collaboration.Sponsors of Saratoga Reads include The Saratogian, Barnes & Noble, Borders, Saratoga Springs Rotary Club, Wise Development Group, Adirondack Trust Company, Chico's, Putnam Market, Byrne Orthodontics, Saratoga Gaming and Raceway, Saratoga Hospital, Community Care Pediatrics, and Skidmore College.

For more information visit www.saratogareads.org.