Tuesday, September 28, 2010

The Help [Stockett]

Book: The Help
Author: Kathryn Stockett

Review: Racial tensions are running high in Jackson, MS in 1960. When a recent college graduate decides to write a book about blacks working for whites, her life and the life of the women she interviews are put into danger yet changed forever.

Written from the perspective of 3 different women, I found myself engrossed in each of their stories. Skeeter-a single white woman who finished college and wants more out of life than a husband and kids; Minny, the best cook in town whose smart mouth continues to get her in trouble and Aibileen, Minny's best friend who takes care of white babies. I could not put this novel down-it was well written, engaging, well-paced and overall an excellent read. I highly recommend this.

Grade: A-

Saving CeeCee Honeycutt [Hoffman]

Book: Saving CeeCee Honeycutt
Author: Beth Hoffman

Review: When her mentally ill mother dies, 12-year old Cecilia (CeeCee) moves to Savannah to live with an elderly aunt. She learns about love, forgiveness and friendship in this sweet, simple, yet extremely slow moving novel. This is a nice, slow, read with little action and very few plot points. I kept waiting for "something" to happen...and nothing did. Hoffman created colorful characters and is a skilled writer however it took me over a month to read it.

Grade: C+