The Help

An eye opening novel about what it was like in the early 1960's before the black rights movement.  Some lines are just meant to be crossed.  It follows two maids and their stories about "raising white folk's children".  The good and the bad, there is some great revenge and some beautiful friendships are made.  What a great novel.

Books

When Jeff and I were living in London, I decided it would be a good opportunity to start reading again.  They had book shops on nearly every corner and we would often venture in them and come out with one or two each (including zac) 

While we were there I read a great book called Every Mothers Son by Lynn Andrews.  "It's been a good few years since Molly and Bernie left their native Ireland, and settled in Liverpool. Now, they're both being courted by fine young men, and the future looks bright. But, 1945 is rapidly approaching, and soon war is changing everything - destroying homes and lives, and snatching away long-held dreams...The beautifully evoked backstreets of Liverpool are the perfect setting for a tale of grit, friendship - and love."

I loved reading this book and actually living where it took place.  I read a few more books, but had to leave them behind so I do not remember the titles and authors.  That is partly why I wanted to start a portion on books on this blog. So I don't forget the books I have read and come to love.

Since returning from London I have read the six-volume set The Great and Terrible by Chris Stewart

These books take you on a journey through the pre-existance, our mortal life and the role that both Jesus and Satan have here. It was an excellent read and you really get to know the characters.  It also give you a great appreciation for the soldiers who fight for this country. 

I got invited to be part of a book club and for our first book we read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows.

                                                                

"Set in both London and Guernsey Island, this novel follows author Juliet as she becomes friends with the inhabitants of the island shortly after the end of World War 2. Told in epistolary style, Juliet learns of the occupied island and its deprivations, as well as the resounding spirit of the people who live there. As she writes, she becomes more and more intrigued with the stories of the people who survived the hard times, and she decides to create a book based on their experiences. In order to gather more information, Juliet moves temporarily to the island and soon finds herself immsersed in the culture and relationships. "

Another book club book we recently read is These is my Words by Nancy Turner.  If you don't read another book on my list please read this one!

I cannot say enough about this book.  I will admit that at first I had a hard time getting started, and i'm not sure if it was because of the poor grammar, or that I had just read 7 books within 2 months.  So I put it down for a week and started again.  Once I got through the first 5 pages I was hooked!  I just finished the other day and have already started to read it again.  I feel as though I cannot get enough of the book.  It is set in the late 1800's early 1900's in the Arizona Territory when they are right in the middle of fighting indians such as Geronimo and others.  You take a wagon train to Texas and back to Arizona and settle a new life back in Arizona where you start from.  There are so many hardships through out this book and so many joys as well.  It does not really feel fiction to me, but a possible reality for so many who lived and worked back then.