The Help

Stockett, K. (2009). The Help. NY: Amy Einhorn Books.
Adult / YA Fiction / Historical Fiction

This was a fantastic book, and I just can't believe that this was the author's first effort! I hate to believe it, but I know it's an accurate depiction of life in Mississsippi in the early sixties.  Stockett did an incredible job really bringing the characters to life and giving them depth. The varied writing styles allowed me to really "hear" each of the main characters' voices, plus the format of rotating chapters between Skeeter, Minny, and Aibileen kept the story fresh and rolling along. Parts of it were so painful, parts so joyful, and parts were infuriating, and I was sorry the book ended.  I wondered what happened next in the lives of these three ladies, but I have a feeling they turned out very well. 

Not sure whether I'll see the movie; I've heard split reviews from friends who also read the book.

Top 11 of 2011

My choices. . . (okay, a few adult choices in there, but hey, I am an adult after all.)

#11

#10

#9

#8

#7

#6

#5

#4

#3

#2

#1

It was definitely tough to come up with just eleven books for the year! This is not so much because I read so many wonderful books, but because I was again reading at all.  Work and life had separated me from my love of books, and once we were reunited, it seemed nothing I read was unworthy. (With one exception, and I still can't find any use for the book Jumped. Read it if you want to feel hopeless about this generation of kid. )  My dear friend has a term for people like me - people who love everything they read, just love it.  It's not a polite term, but it's apropos. You'll have to message me off-blog to find out that one. :-)  I did see a pattern in my favorites, and that is apparently I like books with illustrations. Guess I see where my son gets-it from after all.
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