10.24-10.30

Thursday, October 27,  9:00-10:30 pm

The Help  Pg. 131-204

I was reading this as I was watching the Rangers blow their chances of winning the World Series so my attention was a little divided. As usual, though, the book gets better and better. Skeeter is developing a new romance with Stuart Whitworth despite their horrible first date. Meanwhile, Skeeter has also been secretly interviewing Aibileen about being a black maid in the South. After several meetings, Aibileen also convinces a hesitant Minny to tell her stories to Skeeter. The plot is really thickening, and I am wondering how and if Skeeter’s relationship with Stuart, a prominent white man, is going to affect her relationships with Aibileen and Minny. She really needs them in order to successfully complete this book, especially because she is counting on them to recruit more maids to tell their accounts as well. They are risking a lot not only by developing a relationship with a white woman but also by revealing the truth about the families they have served.

October 17-22

Saturday, October 22, 2011

8:00-9:30, The Help

I picked up The Help today, again having not read it for almost a week. This time though, I did not want to put it down. I feel like I will be making more time to read this week as the story is finally rolling. Today I read mainly from the point of view of Miss Skeeter. We dive deeper into the connection Skeeter had with her maid Constantine. They were very close, closer than mother and daughter. When she went off to college they wrote letters back and forth, never ceasing communication—“like a year-long conversation.” Constantine wrote Skeeter to tell her of a surprise she had for her when she came back from college; Constantine was very happy. But sadly, that was the last letter Skeeter ever received; when she came home from college, Constantine was gone with no explanation other than she quit to be with her family.

                Still determined to pursue writing, Skeeter gets a job writing the Mrs. Myrna column in the local paper. She is to answer reader questions about cleaning and keeping a stable home. Not having knowledge on either of these things, she begins meeting with Aibileen to ask her questions. During these meetings, the two share more than cleaning tips with each other. Aibileen has information about Constantine that Skeeter is desperate to know. Aibileen only shares that she was fired for something to do about her “pale” skinned daughter. Skeeter is furious to hear this, but still does not receive any answers when she approaches her mother and father about the situation. Aibileen also shares stories about her late son with Skeeter, and it slips that he was writing stories about what it was like to be colored. Upon hearing this Skeeter finally develops what she believes to be her best idea yet—a book about what it is like to be a black maid working for a white family. She wants Aibileen to help her, but she declines feeling it is too risky. Skeeter is disappointed but not giving up.

                I get so wrapped up in this story that I sometimes forget it is fiction. I am scared, sad, and million other emotions for the characters. I am not doing the story any justice either; it is much more captivating than I am sure my short summary portrays. I would encourage anyone looking for a good read to pick up this book. If nothing else, it makes you look a little more closely to human interaction and relationships.

October 10-16

Monday, October 10

Reader’s Digest  5:00-6:00

Once a month, after bringing in the mail, I sit down to read Reader’s Digest cover to cover. It is such a great way to unwind from a long day. In between jokes, quotes, recipes, health tips, and fun facts are usually interesting and thought provoking articles. In this particular November issue was an article summarizing nurses’ accounts of what really goes down in a hospital. I found this to be very interesting because my mother-in-law has been in and out of the hospital for the past month for leg and back surgeries. Some facts were humorous, some informative, and some a little disgusting (like cutting cake with a scalpel). All in all, it was worth reading. I’m sure some people think of Reader’s Digest to be a waste of time, but for me it is a must-read. In one sitting I am entertained, engaged in personal stories, informed about latest technologies and ideas, and so much more.

Friday, October 14

The Help 6:00-6:30

As I picked my book back up after almost a week of reading, I ended my short glimpse into Celia and Minny’s situation and was introduced to another character, Miss Skeeter. At the end of chapter four we are led to believe that Celia’s husband has come home from work early and is not going to be happy to find Minny, a black woman, in his home. When she hears the truck doors, Minny runs to the guest bathroom to hide. We are left to wonder what will happen as the next chapter begins focusing on Miss Skeeter. Miss Skeeter is a white Ole Miss graduate with a trust fund who just doesn’t seem to be fitting in to her old lifestyle. Her friends are married and the dynamic of their friendship has changed. She is getting pressure from her mom to get a job and get married while she still has a trust fund (those are attractive to men especially when the girl isn’t so attractive herself). She, however, is more interested in her writing career and how she will fit in back in her hometown. For the second time, there has been mention of Miss Skeeter's old house maid Constantine. It seems that they had an intense connection, but we are still left wondering where she is not and how that fits into the big picture.

The Help (Oct.3-9)

Monday, October 3 – 55 minutes

            Today I began reading The Help. I typically do not read for fun or read anything other than what I think I need to. I have recently enrolled in a class that is requiring me to read for at least an hour and a half each week and then blog about it (also new to me). Already, however, I am glad I have been given this assignment. I quickly remembered that I do, in fact, enjoy reading; I just never felt I had the time. Now that I have made time I am thoroughly enjoying myself.

            These fifty-five minutes were largely spent getting acclimated with the language used in this book. So far, I have been given a glimpse into the life of a two African American women, Aibileen Clark and Minny Jackson, serving as maids in white women’s homes. Although I do realize this is a work of fiction, it is interesting to hear stories from the point of view of “the help.” We have all learned about The South and what it must have been like for different people groups during that time period, but stories like this help to make it more real for people today.

            The very beginning of the book introduces us to a variety of white characters that I am sure will play important roles in the story. The focus, however, is on the fact that Aibileen has been a very reliable and compliant maid from a young age, raising many children and taking care of many households. Her friend MInny is not always so compliant, and despite being known for being the best cook around, has been fired from her most recent job.

Friday, October 7 – 35 minutes

            As I read today, the book shifted from Aibileen’s point of view to MInny’s. Minny has just received a job a woman’s home who is new to town. It is a very curious situation because this woman, Celia, does not want anyone to know she has a maid. We are led to believe that her husband would kill Minny if he found out a black woman was in his home. Celia hired Minny because she wants to learn to be a great housewife. She wants to learn to be a great cook and thinks Minny will help her with this. The first few weeks of work MInny notices that Celia does not do anything all day long except for when she is receiving cooking lessons from Minny. She also wonders why there are no children to fill this giant house. Minny is trying to hold her tongue about things of this nature in order to keep her job. She is curious about Celia and her situation, but up to this point, more interested in keeping work. As she goes to clean Celia and her husband’s bedroom she realizes that Celia has been cleaning by shoving things under the bed, using rugs to cover stains, and buying new shirts when she doesn’t do laundry or iron.

            This time of reading is what really hooked me. I have actually found myself wanting to read more than just the ninety minutes that is required of me. Celia’s storyline is very mysterious to me. It seems there is something she is hiding, and I feel certain Minny will figure out what it is. I have heard nothing but great things about this book and movie and can’t wait to find out what happens next!