So, the last couple of weeks have found me in a a vicious cycle I often get into when it comes to reading. I currently have four books on the go, and I'm not making much progress in any of them. This whole thing used to work when I had a book that I read at work, a book that I read on the bus to and from work, and a book that I read at home.
One of the books in the stack is one that I was really looking forward to reading, but I have read the first ten pages three times now, and I just can't get into it. I totally believe that there are seasons for some books, for example, I can really only get into the Lord of The Rings books in the winter and Harry Potter is totally for summer. I was just stoked to read this book, and I borrowed it from a friend and eventually she will want it back. I hope its season comes soon.
Because of the aforementioned vicious cycle, I actually only have one review for you all. Hopefully I'll get back in the book groove soon. The books on my nightstand seem to be breeding, as they are multiplying almost daily.
Here's the review...
The Help by Kathryn Stockett (five out of five hairy hobbit toes) - This was my second time reading this book, and I have to say I really do love it. The characters are so genuine and believable, even in their appalling prejudices. For those of you who have been living in a box and haven't seen the trailers for the movie that was released a couple of weeks ago, it's the story of several women from a small town in Mississippi in the early 1960s. The main character wants to write a book of stories from the perspective of the 'coloured' maids... about their lives cooking for, cleaning up after, and raising the children of the well-to-do white women of town. The danger that these women put themselves into to share their stories is mind-boggling. The depth of the ignorance of some of the white women was truly shocking, especially when I know that there were people in my family's history who believed things like those women. *** A Warning *** There is a character who's dealing with recurrent pregnancy loss. There are some fairly graphic scenes as she deals with the loss of a pregnancy. This book won't be for everyone.
Currently Reading: Lonesome Dove, It All Began in Vauxhall Gardens, A Discovery of Witches, & Arranged.
Soon to be Started: Room
The Help isn't pictured because I lent my copy to my MIL on the weekend.
I love your remark about there being seasons for books. I never thought of it that way but I think it makes a lot of sense. I read Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver this summer. At first I did not think I was going to like it, but it was a surprisingly good read. Happy Reading!
ReplyDeleteRoom is incredible! You'll love it!
ReplyDeleteHi from ICLW...just wanted to agree with you on The Help. I loved it, re-read it as soon as it was over...didn't want to say goodbye! :)
ReplyDeleteI have always been a big reader but, much more so now that I have a Nook. I really want to read The Help but, I haven't found it in an ebook yet. I might actually go out and buy the paperback lol.
ReplyDeleteICLW #110
I am not reading anything at the moment, just writing some secret stuff.
ReplyDeleteI am really curious about the book as well as the movie.....
Strangely enough I just wrote a post about a new book I'm reading! I've only gotten through the introduction (yes, I read all the prologues and introductions - if the author didn't want you to read it, they wouldn't have included it!) and the first chapter, but I'm really intrigued by it! "Mating in Captivity", here's the URL where I talk about it:
ReplyDeletehttp://pursuingparenthood.wordpress.com/2011/08/25/in-anticipation-of-a-good-read/
I haven't read The Help but I saw it int theaters with my mom. Have you seen the movie yet? I totally lost it when I realized she was miscarrying (which I realized about 30 seconds before my mom did. She was like "What's happening? what's happening?!" and I was just crying.... but I really loved it. If anything, it made me love it more to have that character included.
I was going to join you in this post this week when I realized my reading has been totally slacking and my pile of books is pretty much the same! :S How sad. Maybe once school starts up i will get back into the reading again. I hope so!! I usually read before bed but I've just been too tired to lately.
ReplyDelete