Hello book lovers and library patrons! The USF Book Club has selected its final title for 2010: The Help by Kathryn Stockett. We will meet on Wednesday, Dec 8, 2010 from 12-1 pm in the electronic classroom of Gleeson Library, which is room #139.
Better pick up this book fast! It’s insanely popular right now and our meeting is less than 3 weeks away. I hear it’s a real page turner so I don’t think anyone will have trouble finishing it 🙂 With the selection of this title, we continue our tendency to read historic novels about minorities and issues of equality. I am pretty excited and just requested a large print edition through Link+… just because that’s the only copy I could get!
How to get the book:
Our copy in Gleeson is checked out, but our Kindle and iPads have the e-book version on them. To get a hard copy, try requesting the book through this list of holdings on Link+, or put a hold on one of the SF Public Library’s copies. Worse case scenario, support your local book store by purchasing a copy.
Publisher’s Weekly says:
What perfect timing for this optimistic, uplifting debut novel (and maiden publication of Amy Einhorn’s new imprint) set during the nascent civil rights movement in Jackson, Miss., where black women were trusted to raise white children but not to polish the household silver. Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan is just home from college in 1962, and, anxious to become a writer, is advised to hone her chops by writing “about what disturbs you.” The budding social activist begins to collect the stories of the black women on whom the country club sets relies–and mistrusts–enlisting the help of Aibileen, a maid who’s raised 17 children, and Aibileen’s best friend Minny, who’s found herself unemployed more than a few times after mouthing off to her white employers. The book Skeeter puts together based on their stories is scathing and shocking, bringing pride and hope to the black community, while giving Skeeter the courage to break down her personal boundaries and pursue her dreams. Assured and layered, full of heart and history, this one has bestseller written all over it.
We hope to see you there!
I read this book in about two days and I can’t stop thinking about it! Highly recommended