The Help

This book isn't what I normally read, so I never thought I would read it. But, I just kept seeing it on Amazon, and bestsellers lists, and then I saw there was a movie about it. I kept hearing so many good things about this book I decided, I would give it a try. And, I am really glad I did because it is one of my favorite books I have read in a while!

My mom was born in 1963, so this is book is about two generations before me and I didn't know that much about what was going on in the South back then expect the small bit they taught us in school. This book is an eye opener to what was going on during that time. There is a lot of historical references to that time period in this book. So not only was I enjoying the storyline but I was also learning from the bits and pieces of history she added in.

There is humor, sadness, and fear in the book. Minny is hilarious with her Terrible Awful story and her personality. But, at the same time you feel for her and you feel bad for her with her living situation with her husband. Minny is out going and loud just as Aibileen is soft spoken and clever. Each maid has their own stories, their own hardships and their own personalities that shine throughout the book.

Then, there is Skeeter with her awkward appearances and just being plain different from the other girls. She feels the need to have change, to write and be a journalist while all her friends just want to marry and have babies. Then there is silly Celia, she is so great to read about but at the same time it hurts to read about her problems as well.

Gosh, I really did enjoy this book! I could not put it down. And now that I am done I still want to read about their stories!

Clockwork Prince, by Cassandra Clare

5 out of 5 Stars

Clockwork Prince, the second book in the Infernal Device series, is even better than the first! You really get to understand the characters. You get to understand why Will doesn't show his true emotions to anyone. You really feel for Jem as you understand him and his illness better. You also get to better understand the relationship between Charlotte and Henry as their relationship unfolds.

But, I do feel bad for the two main male characters Will and Jem. It seems like they don't really have much of a social life. As soon as the first new girl comes and lives them, Tessa, they both instantly fall head over heels in love with her. Of course, without each other knowing they are going for the same girl. You could see there affection for Tessa in the first book, but this one the love for her blossoms even more from the two of them. And, even Tessa is falling for both Will and Jem. But, in the end she can only pick one of them.

The book isn't just about a lovers triangle though. They're on the trail of Mortmain, trying to find out where is hiding before he unleashes the automatons on the shadowhunters, and London. They try to find out more about him and just why he wants to take revenge on the Shadowhunters.

The book is full of details and interweaving of plots ending with questions left unanswered at the end of the book so you are fully ready to start the next one! I really enjoyed this book, I think right now I like the characters better in this series than in the mortal instrument series. They have so much depth and you really feel for them. There is a heart wrenching part in the book that you really feel for this one character after everything they have gone through. I love it when a book brings out so much emotion!