The Help by Kathryn Stockett

I love finding a book that draws me in and doesn't let go. This was one of those books. It is simply a beautiful novel using a creative writing style that mixes southern dialect with a light sprinkling of humor. The setting takes place in a 1960’s Mississippi in the midst of segregation. The chapters unfold through the words of three different woman - Skeeter, Aibileen and Minnie. Skeeter is a southern white woman with aspirations of becoming a writer. Best friends, Aibileen and Minnie are black maids dealing with the ugly face of prejudice. Aibileen is nurturing and kind hearted and carries the soul of a writer within. Minnie is unyielding and has a tendency to speak her mind making her life struggles all the more difficult. It is this unlikely trio that connect and begin to secretly write about the true stories of the black women working for white families. The eventual publishing of their book exposes the injustices and discrimination that exists within their lives. The author shares a painful time in our history, but also how simple human kindness plays such an important role in the healing process. A wonderful and compelling read that I highly recommend!

Hardcover, 451 pages
Published February 10th 2009 by Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam (first published January 1st 2009)
ISBN 0399155341

PS - I saw the movie after reading the book and enjoyed it as well, but I wished they had shown a few missing scenes from the book.

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

I read this over the course of a few days in June of 2011. It started as a simple recommendation by my daughter, but ended up awakening my forgotten love of reading. It seems only fitting to have it be the first review on this blog. 


The first chapter had me grinning from ear to ear and I knew immediately that this was going to be a really good book. The story is told from the perspective of Jacob Jankowski and jumps back and forth from his younger years to the present day with Jacob in his 90's. The elderly narrative depicts his dismal life in a nursing home waiting for the occasional visit from a family member and the constant struggle to maintain his mind and dignity.  His younger years are set in the midst of the Great Depression. Jacob's well thought out plans of becoming a veterinarian and joining his fathers practice are shattered due to a tragic accident. Desperate and alone, Jacob runs away and joins the circus. His innocent upbringing is immediately challenged with the rough and tumble lifestyle of the traveling circus.  The carnival setting and characters are depicted with such vivid details that you feel as though you are living side by side within their world.   Some parts of the book were difficult to read (namely the abuse of animals), but were perhaps a necessary evil to accurately portray a realistic view of the  harsh and seedy circus life.  A love triangle, a murder mystery and a madman's mania intertwine within the pages. This book filled me with a range of emotions, that only a truly well written book can do. I would highly recommend this book and look forward to reading 'Sara Gruen' again. 

Paperback, 335 Pages

Published May 1st 2007 by Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill (first published January 1st 2006)

ISBN  1565125606

PS - I saw the movie after reading the book and enjoyed it as well.

Welcome!

I have recently reacquainted myself with an old lost friend - that friend being 'reading'. It's funny how life takes over and the little things that once brought us so much joy get pushed onto the back burner and forgotten about. I have started this blog to keep a journal of my reading adventures and would love to have you follow along.


So many books, so little time...


Choosing which book to read next can be a challenge at times. Perusing book reviews is one of my preferred methods in selecting a new title. I am hoping that my blog entries will help others to do the same.