Book Review: The Help

Like many people I saw the movie and then decided to read the book. I highly recommend the movie. I think some of the characters were nominated for awards and I agree with that decision.

I liked the majority of the book more than the movie. I appreciate the change they made to Skeeter's maid story. I was surprised that Stuart did not come back in the end.  I guess it make sense but I always hope for a little more romance. 

The most disappointing part was the ending.  True to form, I always appreciate a 'fairy tale' type story where good completely conquers all. You will have to read it to find out.  I can see why the author ended it that way.  I would have appreciated a five to ten year fast forward.  I enjoyed hearing the different characters perspective. I also wonder what any former maids would have to say about the inter thoughts of Minny and others.

The ending made me question how much we really have changed. Of course now there is not the white verses colored barrier but there are others; dare I say gay marriage, pro-choice verses pro-life, Republican verses Democrat. Perhaps this is all cropping up because I have been watching more news lately.

I would like to end this post with this quote: 

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”
― Martin Luther King Jr., A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches

I am going to try to love out the hate although it can be challenging. 

Good Books

Even though I am a college graduate, I am still learning that there is a ton I do not know. I am thrilled that I now have time to read for fun. I am also finding reading a lot more enjoyable than watching TV.  However, I am realizing with the ability to read anything. I need to be more selective on what I am picking off the shelf. There are a ton of good books out there.

I want to be reading the really good books. I also want to do a better job of keeping up with the news. In addition, it would be great if they challenged my thoughts on the world. 

I just finished Water for Elephants. I highly recommend it. I am looking forward to seeing the movie but I am afraid it will not be as good! 

I hope everyone finds time to read.

Just A Fan

Today I realized that I am mostly just a fan.

There is some statistic: 20% of people make everything the rest (80%) of the population enjoys. It is funny how as fans we are all entitled to our opinions but when it comes down to it 

we just watch/listen/observe. 

We never create.

I would argue it is so much easier to judge than to get judged. I was recently given the opportunity to tell and artist about their latest music. Thinking about that experience, I could barely tell them in the right terms why I liked one song better than another. This is just one example but it is rather ironic that most of us have very little musical knowledge/background but here we are with all the power to choose what song gets played on the radio. Which songs top the charts and which songs are left off.  It almost seems like the creators who are more crazy/wild to watch are really the ones who have figured out how to captivate our attention and make the money. 

I am just curious what would happen if we evaluate anything on it's actual talent/merit or if all of what we watch is based on shock/awe/wild factor.

Bottom line for the most part I am just another fan.