The Help

I just finished reading "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett. This was the very first book in my new book club and it was a wonderful choice. I truly enjoyed the book and it provided great discussion.

Last night was actually our very first book club meeting (besides our meet n' greet several weeks ago) and it was so great. To honor the southern heritage of our book, we sure did have some fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, green beans, macaroni and cheese, coleslaw, biscuits and DELICIOUS caramel cupcakes! It was fabulous.

More information about the help, here is what is being said about it.

Publisher's Weekly Synopsis:
This novel is set during the nascent civil rights movement in Jackson, Miss., where black women were trusted to raise white children but not to polish the household silver. Eugenia Skeeter Phelan is just home from college in 1962, and, anxious to become a writer, is advised to hone her chops by writing about what disturbs you. The budding social activist begins to collect the stories of the black women on whom the country club sets relies and mistrusts enlisting the help of Aibileen, a maid who's raised 17 children, and Aibileen's best friend Minny, who's found herself unemployed more than a few times after mouthing off to her white employers. The book Skeeter puts together based on their stories is scathing and shocking, bringing pride and hope to the black community, while giving Skeeter the courage to break down her personal boundaries and pursue her dreams. Assured and layered, full of heart and history, this one has bestseller written all over it!

I'll be honest, it took me several chapters to actually get into the book, but once you get going, you won't want to put it down. If found myself relating to several of the characters; love some and hating others. It sheds new light on the civil rights movement and will effect your thinking on the way life was "back then".

I hope that you will pick up this book and enjoy it as much as I did.