I've been on vacation for so long, I have forgotten how to blog! We returned from The Cayman Islands at 2:00 AM on July 1st and then left later that day for the Berkshires with our kids for the July 4th weekend. I am finally home and I can't come up with a single interesting thing to blog about.So, I guess I'll just ease myself back in by recommending the book I read on my trip: The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Now, Ms. Stockett does not need a shout out from me. This book is #4 on Amazon. Yes, you read that correctly. Not 400 or 40. F-O-U-R! But this book is so good, it would be a shame to miss it. So, I am mentioning it for your sake, not hers :)
For a synopsis and review, check At Home with Books.
Alyce sums it up very well here:
What impressed me the most about this book was that even though it was about a serious topic - the civil rights movement in Mississippi - it never overwhelms the reader with depressing imagery. The story is well-balanced between infuriating and heartbreaking injustices, and the sacrifices and acts of selfless kindness of the main characters.
Even though there is some very disturbing content in this story, Stockett manages to keep the focus on the characters' triumphs and leaves the reader feeling inspired, rather than depressed.
It also wasn't lost on me that I was reading this civil rights story poolside at the Ritz Carlton hotel while people with dark skin were serving me cold drinks and offering to move the heavy umbrellas so I'd be in the shade. Ah, the irony.
17 comments:
Thanks for linking to my review! I'm glad to see that you enjoyed the book so much too.
I grew up in the Pacific Northwest in a small town that was not racially diverse. The first time I went to a restaurant on the East coast was with my husband in Washington, DC. It was disconcerting when we noticed that all of the diners were white and the waiters were black.
I was just trying to decide if I should get it. Now you've decided it for me.
Welcome back, Corey. I hope you rediscover your groove soon.
Why don't you blog about your trip? And share some pictures!
Oh, this book sounds right up my alley. I'd seen it around, but didn't know what it was about. Now I know, thanks
And, have to say, I'm having a hard time feeling sorry for you. Too long in the Caymans...ah, to have such troubles ;)
Ha! Tess, no complaints about the Caymans. I could have stayed at the Ritz FOREVER! It was the four day weekend with my kids that did me in. I was looking so forward to dropping them at camp this morning. Got home at 9:30 all set to write and blog and do laundry and ten minutes later the phone rang. It was the camp nurse to say that BOTH kids were in her office complaining of stomach aches. UGHHH.
I'm out of the groove too. I feel your pain. But I'm also a little jealous about the islands. ;)
Could ya give us a little vicarious thrill--an island photo and best-thing you saw underwater? Might get you in the groove despite the last few days of real life hassle. And I'm just saying, I'd like to dream of warm sand and water......
Laura is reading this book now and I'm DYING to get my hands on it!
Welcome home!
Glad you loved the book! Kathryn completely deserves all of the publicity and over-the-top sales. Amazing characters and an amazing story.
sf
I've heard so much good things about this one...but for some reason the topic doesn't grab me as unique. Maybe I'd better just bite the bullet and get it anyway...
good to have you back :)
Beth, it's not so much the topic as the execution that grabs the reader. The story is told through three different perspectives. Each character feels so real. It's like you actually know them! And now that I am done, I miss being a part of their lives!
It sounds good! Thanks for the review and I'll have to go get it. And glad to have you back!
Hi Corey,
It was nice to meet you at the Books NJ 2009 event (I was the one kind of behind you with Wake Up Engines)! Sorry it took me forever to get to your blog, but now I am here and I'll visit often!
Cheers,
Melissa
Hi Melissa,
So nice to see you here! We're enjoying your book!
C
Great review! And, welcome back!!! Sounds like your trip was heavenly!!!
actually, you arrived home at 2am on july 2nd (not july 1st) i would know
since i was the babysitter ;-]
but in addition to having quality time with the kids, the extra bonus
was getting your copy of the book you
loved and recommend. all in all, a
pretty good deal!
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