Making its Way to the Top of My Summer Reading Pile

Everyone seems to be asking me what my summer reading list looks like. It's rather funny because they want to know what my beach read will be. Beach reads...beach reads...I remember those, oh so fondly, but as the mom of a 3 year old and a 5 month old, I'm not sure when I will next loll on a beach reading a book uninterrupted. Between sand castles, digging holes and my ever-growing fear of waves and undertows, it may be QUITE a long time. Perhaps I can revise "beach read" to "deck read" as that's a more likely place for me to catch some time to read, while the kids are napping. So what's on my summer reading/deck read list? Well, I'll reveal it slowly, but at the top is a book I feel like I'm already late in reading, Kathryn Sockett's The Help

In her novel, Sockett tells the story of 22-year-old Skeeter, who has returned home after graduating college. Her mother would like her to get married, but Skeeter wants to know where Constantine, the maid who raised her, has gone, and no one is telling her. It's also the story of Abilene, a black maid who has raised 17 white children and having just lost her own son, is feeling as though she cannot go on as she has for so many years. Lastly there's Minny, Abilene's best friend, who's short, fat and sassy and unable to hold her tongue. As a result, she can't hold down a job and has just found one with a new arrival in town, who has secrets of his own. Skeeter, Abilene and Minny will come together for a clandestine project that will put them all at risk because they are all suffocated by the time they're living in, and the roles that society demands they fill.

This description makes me want to dive right into The Help, and I can't wait to suggest it at my next book club meeting. You can read an excerpt of it here, and check out the reading guide here. If you've already read it, I'd love to hear what you thought of it!

Comments

[Darby Lohrding]

Hi Jen,
I have yet to read this book too; could'nt you make it one of your book club on-line reads with the author for all of us who just know it is a great read yet just haven't been able to make time for it....well because we are waiting for summer deck reading of course! ;-*
Darby
darbyscloset at yahoo dot com

[Laura]

The good news is that one of my book clubs picked this book to read. The bad news is that we didn't schedule it until November! (We schedule books 6 months out). I don't know if I want to wait that long :-).

[Julie P.]

I loved it. My book club just met last night to discuss it, and it was enjoyed by all. I loved the story and especially the characters. I can so see it as a movie too!

[Melissa]

I enjoyed this book. :) There was so much going on and the writing style was really a pleasure.

[Stephanie]

I just started The Help on the train yesterday and am really enjoying it.

[Kathy]

You're not alone - I'm late in reading it too.

[Elita]

I am about halfway through it and so far it is AMAZING. One of the best novels I've read in a while. I'm not a fan of fiction, so for me to love a novel is a huge thing. I have heard the CD is also fantastic and with the right reader I can imagine that the wonderful dialogue really comes alive.

[Jennsbookshelf]

I'll be reading this book soon as well. I'm participating in a Southern Reading challenge and this is one of my picks. Can't believe I waited so long to read it!

[Lauren]

I JUST suggested this book for my book club! I hope it's picked, since it really does look wonderful.

[Ti]

This one is at the top of my pile too.

[gwendolyn b.]

I'm late reading this one, too, but I'm really looking forward to it!

[Marie]

I am reading this now and have to pace myself because IT IS SOO GOOD! Our book club has picked it and everyone is loving it. Awesome!

[Kiki]

By far the best book Ive read this year. I was just telling my mother about it over breakfast! We live in Alabama, and my mom was telling me about her friend who grew up in a very small town on the outskirts of Birmingham--let's call her Georgie. There was a very old black lady called Mimi who would come into the back of the church where little Georgie's family attended services. One day, Georgie saw Mimi on the street while walking with her grandmother in town. (Black people were forced to walk in the gutter--this was the 50's-- and were not welcome on the sidewalks, with the white people.) Well, she ran off to hug Mimi and say hello and her grandmother told her to get back up there on the sidewalk with her. Her response? "But why, grandma? Its Mimi!". She defied her grandmother and continued to walk with Mimi in the gutter. needless to say, she got quite a spanking when she got home!

I was floored by this story--I told my mom that Georgie must read The Help.

I can't recommend this book enough!

[NanG]

I listened to The Help and it was the BEST book I have ever listened to. I recommended it to several friends - got a call yesterday from one that had to pull her car over because she was laughing so hard. Enjoy!

[Melissa]

I don't remember which blog I read about this book, but I got it right away from the library and I LOVED IT!! In a way it reminded me of Secret Life of Bees and in a way it was totally different - the humanity of the book was gripping though. You know that Skeeter wanted to reach out to these women and you knew some of them wanted to feel validated and receive dignity instead of humility and yet the times were so constricting to allow any of it.

[Sheri]

I read and reviewed this book. I absolutely loved it and gave it a terrific rating. Here is my review: http://anovelmenagerie.com/ghost/2009/04/03/book-review-the-help/

Sheri
A Novel Menagerie

[Molly @ bookhopping]

This one's on my list too -- I've heard some great things about it. Now if only I could find a beach to read it on!

[Melissa Shhh I'm Reading]

Great pick! I loved The Help. It's one of my favorites so far this year.

[Claure]

Loved it - finally, a book that lives up to the hype...

[Michelle B]

I loved it also. I plan on recommending it to my book club.