The Help

by Kathryn Stockett

This book is a wonderful piece of literature that should not be missed. Kathryn Stockett brings readers into Jackson, Mississippi during the 1960s civil rights movement and the relationship between white women and the African American women that served as "the help". This book had a way of enveloped me in the time period and topics written. I can say with complete certainty it has become one of my favorite books.

The book follows three characters, Aibileen and Minny (both black maids) and Skeeter (a young white college graduate). Each of these three women take turns narrating a section at a time. For Aibileen and Minny's sections the author uses a thick dialect which represents the time period. Aibileen is a soft spoken, wise and loving soul who has had some hardships in her life. Minny has a hard time keeping her jobs because she is sassy and speaks her mind. Skeeter is a single, independent and unique young woman who loves and lives for writing. One last big character which seems important to mention is the rude and spoiled Hilly, the queen bee of Jackson, Mississippi. After witnessing some of the racial differences and how "the help" is treated, Skeeter hatches a plan to write a book from the view of these black women. And so the adventure begins...

Having taken college history courses strictly on the 1960s, I was ecstatic of the rich history Stockett provides and small details she uses to make it true to the decade. She mention the famous book Peyton Place, Martin Luther King on several occasions, and women's fashion to name a few. She does explain in a small excerpt at the end of the book that some of the things mentioned, such as Shake-N-Bake chicken weren't introduced until later years and that she included them all the same. The items she took liberties with were so small and inconsequential that it did not disturb the writing or the history of the time period. I only mention this because it has become a large criticism for some readers. While it bothers some, I did not even notice these small discrepancies until I read the note from Stockett.

 This book is intellectually stimulating, consuming, and will leave you wanting more. I cannot stop thinking about it. I loved how history and a good story combined to make this unforgettable work of fiction.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Up Next: House Rules by Jodi Picoult

Tales of the Otherworld

by Kelley Armstrong


    I have read many of Armstrong's books over the past year and I have loved them all. While her themes seem similar to the popular "Twilight" Series (yes I have read them), her books seem much clearer, easier to transition into the fantasy genre, and more grownup in her writing and content. For this reason I prefer her books over the others.
     In this particular book Armstrong is giving her readers some more background into her characters and some untold stories from the series "Women of the Otherworld". This book is compiled of seven supplemental short stories starting with "Rebirth" which reveals how Aaron became a vampire. Next is "Bewitched" which follows the beginning of Kristof Nast and Eve's relationship, "Birthright" how Logan discovers his werewolf past, "Beginnings" the story of Clay and Elena meeting, "Expectations" an investigation completed by Lucas early in his career involving Eve Levine, "Ghosts" a story during the time "Bitten" was written of Jeremy at Stonehaven after he sent Clay and Elena to Toronto, "Wedding Bell Hell" which reveals insights into Lucas and Paige's wedding, and ends with "The Case of El Chupacabra" an exciting case that Lucas and Paige work on together to help Sean Nast.
      It is important that readers read her series "Women of the Otherworld" first before picking up this book. Many details and stories have been explained already-this book just adds more background to the characters lives and past. 
      I honestly can say I liked some stories more than others. While this is usually a case with many short story books by different authors, this has not been the case with Armstrong yet. I am usually so engrossed by her stories a marching band could go through my house and I'd still have my nose in her book. This book however, while I still enjoyed it, I liked it the least out of all of them. I think it was because each story was SO vastly different from the previous one, it was hard to go from one story line/character to another so quickly. In her other book "Men of the Otherworld" it was all based on the werewolf men. This book did not have a central character theme so it was hard to follow and remember all the characters you've basically ever read about in her series. While this was a little disappointing, it is my only complaint. 
     Her writing is fantastic and so easy to follow. I definitely am not into the whole vampire, werewolf fantasy theme generally, but I was surprised at how easily Armstrong is able to convince her readers to become engrossed in her stories. She makes the impossible seem plausible and exciting. I absolutely love this about her. If you are a fan of the "Twilight" series, I can tell you- it gets better. Pick up Kelley Armstrong's book "Bitten" and you will never look back.


Rating: 4 out of 5


Up Next: The Help by Kathryn Stockett