Wednesday, May 5, 2010

"Not that much separates us. Not nearly as much as I'd thought." - The Help

I'm back with another book recommendation, one that I love and has become a new favorite - The Help by Kathryn Stockett (another Southerner gone Yankee for a bit). Many of you recommended this to me and I'm so glad you did.

While my subway commute has shortened by 30 minutes, I will always look for something to help pass the time. I borrowed a copy from my mom, opened it up and starting reading (a little skeptic, because honestly, I'm like that with every new book) and quickly got sucked in. I read all the way past my subway stop and had to get off, turn around and go back uptown. It's that good.

I don't want to give too much away for those of you who haven't read the book. A quick synopsis: ..."three extraordinary women whose determination to start a movement of their own forever changes a town [Jackson, Mississippi in the 1960's] and the way women - mothers, daughters, caregivers, friends, - view one another..." Oh, how brave Aibleen and Minny were.

Kathryn creates and describes her characters so well that with every word I feel like I just know them, their homes, their families, their children. And, just like the last book I read, New Yorkers weren't shy in telling me how they liked the book. I had a number of women come up to me and say, "Isn't that just the best book?" and then we would start talking about the characters like they were old friends. The 1 train quickly became a book club until our next stop.

If you're looking for a great read, go out and buy (or borrow) this book, ya'll! I promise you will love it too. And Kathryn, would you please write another book??

3 comments:

  1. I'm so glad you read it and liked it!! I loved it...I got a little bored towards the middle until the "good" (juicy) stuff started happening! I am reading "The Happiness Project" now...I've heard great things about it!

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  2. Amen! I think The Help could even be turned into a series. I saw that a movie is in the works...

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  3. Great to know, Jess. I will check it out. And Becky, I hope they make a movie. I'm sure it will be wonderful.

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