The Help

 I was home sick with the flu last week. For most people, being home sick means lots of movies and TV. For me, it's always meant time to read books.

I'm already on my fourth book of the year thanks to last week. I finished the third Nikki Heat/Castle book (my one word review: eh) and decided I should finally read "The Help" - mostly so I can return it to the friend I borrowed it from and get back the books she borrowed in return.

About 10 pages in, I started wondering why in the WORLD I waited so dang long to read this gem. I'm always a year ahead or two years behind the curve when it comes to what's trendy reading. I remember my mom flying through this book when she read it in anticipation of seeing the movie.

I did the same. I couldn't put it down. Aibileen, Minny and Skeeter were such compelling storytellers, and though I could not accurately gauge for you whether their voices were legitimate in the troubled South at the height of the Civil Rights Movement, I can tell you this - they made me want to soak in every last word and keep reading to find out what happened to them. They reminded me why I love southern literature so much.

They became my friends.

I'm a third of the way through my next book, but I'm still thinking about these women. I feel like I haven't left Jackson yet. It's one of those books that sticks with you. I can't wait to read it again.

YA Saves

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For as long as I can remember, I have been an avid reader. Some of my best summer memories are from staying up late under the covers with my flashlight, flying through page after page of a good book. As I grew older, I began devouring young adult novels left and right, expanding my horizons and discovering more about the world around me through the pages of a book than life itself.