Book Club Book Review

The Help

This was the selection for this month's book club. I thought I'd share what the consensus was about this book and what everyone thought without giving away any spoilers for those of you who haven't read it.
The Help is the story of a group of African American maids (domestic help), the women they work for and one progressive young white woman who wants to tell their story during the turbulent times of 1963 Jackson, Mississippi. First off, we loved it. Most people found the characters memorable and very realistic. There were a few people who were dissatisfied with the ending. I however thought the ending was pretty realistic. It couldn't have a classic "happy ending" because of the subject matter and the time the story was set in.
I thought the author who isn't an African American did a great job in taping into what it must have been like to be a domestic during the civil rights movement in Mississippi where even the wrong look could get you killed. The characters were fully developed and were people you wanted to know more about. I liked that she showed the lives of the "Help" outside of their workplace. She also challenged convention by showing that there were strong bonds that could exist between the white employers and their black "Help". She showed that even though not everyone felt that way, there was real humanity and care that existed despite the times they lived in. I liked that even though it wasn't all happy, you got some degree of closure on the characters lives at the end of the book.
All in all the "Help" was a well developed, entertaining, thought provoking piece of literary delight. I think I speak for all in our book club when I say, two thumbs up.
I've heard that "The Help" has been optioned into a movie and I can't wait to see it and who plays all the main characters. Who will be Miss Skeeter and that horrible Hilly?
Our next selection is Little Bee. Check back next month to hear how we like it.
I've heard that "The Help" has been optioned into a movie and I can't wait to see it.

A must have...a book review

I mentioned that I'm in the process of building my quilting reference library . Well, I want to recommend a must have for any quilter's book shelf. Judy Hopkins 501 Rotary-Cut Quilt Blocks.

I love that she gives specific cutting and assembling instructions for various block sizes, not just one size per design. What a life saver. Although I'm getting better at figuring that out on my own, it's nice not to do the math to figure out how I can take a 8" block design to a 12" block design. I used it for a couple of the blocks I made in my recent TMQG swap and know that I will be reaching for it for years to come as I continue on my quilting journey. I think it's an invaluable book to own. It's incredibly versatile and offers so much inspiration. The block assembly instructions are detailed, yet concise. Run out and get it today to add to your shelf.

Book Review

I love a good book. When I'm trying to learn a new sewing or quilting technique, I prefer to be shown how to do it by someone. I like to ask a lot of questions and I like to have a good reference book at hand. I've recently taken up quilting (after all how many dresses and skirts can one little girl wear?) and I'm trying to build up my quilting reference library. I've asked on many quilting forums and based on suggestions I now own Quilts, quilts, quilts and Your first quilting book, or it should be. However this book wasn't suggested to me. I found it all on my own at a LQS. It's called Piecing the piece o'cake way. I liked that the book's focus was proper piecing techniques. I mean I know how to sew and I can sew two squares together, surely. But, what about piecing a triangle or diamond to make a star? I might need a few pointers. The book also teaches you about adjusting a pattern to make any size quilt you want. That was great to me, because I'm not one that wants to get out the graph paper and have to do a bunch of math. I want to buy a pattern and get stitching. But, I don't have a ton of use for little bitty quilts, I want something that covers my feet and I can cuddle under. I need at least twin size or a generous lap size at minimum. Being able to adjust a favorite pattern and knowing exactly what yardage to buy is top notch in my book. The book has 15 different projects to test your skills. The quilts are fun and use modern fabrics so they are definitely eye candy. The book is also loaded with tons of useful tips. The only negative I saw is that the quilt patterns don't list what size finished block you'll end up with, only what size quilt you will have. I find that disappointing since I might want to use just the block design in my own pattern design and without knowing the block size it's hard to figure out size, yardage and such. All in all I think this is a great book to add to your library and stretch yourself as a quilter.

Look what Santa brought me!

A Kindle ebook reader! It's awesome. I've been very busily listening and reading books for the last few days. I've also joined an audiobook service called Audibile and a the library service called Overdrive. It's so cool to be able to tuck the thin little tablet in my purse and take a virtual library along with me while I'm out and about. And the text to speech feature is super cool, even if it does sound oddly like Stephen Hawkings. But the coolest thing I think is the fact that you can put pdfs on it. I've downloaded a ton of sewing and knitting patterns, no more trying to keep up with a paper pattern. Woo Hoo! Love the Kindle!

A little light reading

I have to admit it. I got sucked in...I broke down and went to the movies and saw "New Moon". I can't say that I actually liked it. In fact I thought the acting was pretty bad. Nonetheless, I have a borrowed copy of "Eclipse" that I've been reading. I'm still not sure what the appeal is. I find Bella to be immature, self absorbed and annoying. Edward seems very controlling in a creepy kind of way. Jacob? Well aren't there any other girls around La Push or Forks for him to lust after? But, I have to confess it's been kind of nice to spend a little time in Forks away from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

Work on it Wednesday

Books! Books have always been a huge part of my life and as a ferocious reader I have way too many. As you all may recall, I love a good thrift deal and generally books at a thrift store range from $.50-$3 or 4. Never one to pass up a good deal I've gotten some awesome books for personal library. At the same time though, I have amassed more books than one person could ever need and more than I probably will ever read in this lifetime. So, that's what I'm doing today. Packing up books I won't read or won't read again and passing on the gift of literature to someone else. I'll post an offer on Freecycle. I'm sure there will be some takers as like me, most people enjoy a good book.

Animal, Vegetable...Miracle?

So I'm reading the Barbara Kingsolver book about living on a farm and trying to return to a simplier time, eat what our local earth provides and supporting an effort to make less of an environmental impact with the choices we make. It's enlightening. I think about this stuff constantly. So I think I'm going to make more of an effort. I mean hey I'm making other changes so why not this one too. I don't know about the whole organic thing, but I think I will look into being part of a CSA and also shop more at the farmers market. Things are so delicious from there. I love the freshness and that it helps keep the livelihood of local farming alive.
On another note. I'm planning on resigning my position on the parenting board. I'm a bit sad, but it's time. I'm not getting anything out of it and I have such a limited amount of time that I truly don't want to waste it on that board.

It's over!

So,book 7...you know, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I managed to avoid all the spoilers and read it unspoiled. I loved it! I don't know if it had the ending I wanted and I did think the epilogue was a bit weak, but it was a good run and I'm glad I had the pleasure of knowing Harry Potter. Thank you JK Rowling for such a fantastic adventure. I'm a little sad to see it end.. Will there ever be another phenomenon like this?

Only 21 days left

Until the final installment of the Harry Potter series. I can hardly wait. What will happen to them all. I suspect she will kill him off so that no one else will pick up the pen and try to tell more tales of Harry. I can't wait to see how it ends. I don't know if I'll be able to put it down after getting it which is a bummer since I will have to get to bed early for the work the next day. I hope the time flies by. Just 21 more days and we'll know the answers to the final contest between Lord Voldermort and Harry. Is Severus good or truly bad? Will Hermione and Ron get together. Oh...I just can't wait. Just 21 more days.