Room: A Novel by Emma Donoghue

I first picked up this book in a Barnes and Noble and was not impressed.  I could not imagine reading a novel narrated by a five-year-old.  I forgot about this initial encounter and downloaded it to my Kindle after reading what seemed like an interesting description.  It took a few pages to get used to the child's lingo.  Then, I was captivated.  I was so captivated that I could hardly stop reading and began to shake with anxiety at the intensity of it all!
It is about a boy and his mother living in captivity under the mother's abductor.    He has never been or seen outside the small room that they live in besides the blue sky through Skylight.  When his ma begins to tell him about the rest of the world and her escape plan, he becomes fearful and skeptical. 
Everyone has heard about escaped abductees in the news.  I have thought, " Oh, how awful!" and "Oh, how happy they must be to have gotten out."  I never considered that these people were actually LIVING and might be happy or used to living this way.  The outside world can be very shocking and threatening once used to Room.
I was interested that Donoghue was able to capture the views and voice of Jack, the narrator, so well.  So, I looked into it.  Even though she put the entire book together in only six months, she did quite a bit of research.  She looked into cases similar to her idea, births in concentration camps, lives of abused children, outdoor sheds and sound proofing measures, and also created her own dictionary based on her son's vocabulary.  I was also floored by a true revelation from Donoghue; 25,000 Americans are imprisoned at any one time (not in the same circumstances, of course).  Amazing!!
Emma Donoghue is very creative.  She made her own website dedicated to room where you can read interviews and view a digital 'Room.'  It is very interesting.  Check it out here.  Make sure your computer volume is on.

This is one of the few books that I may actually go out and buy to keep in my library.  Not only would I read it again, I plan to read parts of it to my daughter.  I really enjoyed it!

Food: slimy green beans and 100 pieces of cereal

Reading: Anna Karina

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

I can see why this is such a popular book.  It is the southern 1960's version of Desperate Housewives.  Secrets, betrayal, death, life...what's not to like?
It is the stories of three women who come together to write about rich white women and the relationships with their black domestics.  The book lets loose hidden anger, guilt, joy, and sorrow, but ultimately teaches the women that they are "just two people.  Not that much separates us.  Not nearly as much as I'd thought.
Stockett took five years to write this book and it was declined for publishing several times before it came out in 2009.  She got the idea to write the book because of her relationship with her own beloved black maid who made caramel cake just like Minny (one of the book's narrators).  If you would like to see the recipe go to Stockett's site.  I was interested to see the the recipe actually was published in “The Memphis Cookbook” by The Junior League of Memphis, Inc.
I look forward to seeing the movie which will come out next August.

I recommend this book, but I will not read it again.

Food: Iced tea, toast points, and coffee

Reading: Room

Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkein

WOW!!  What a GREAT book! 

This is the tale of the battle at Gondor, the rise of Aragorn or King Elfstone, and the final destruction of the ring.  I was enraptured by the story and would have called it the best book that I have ever read, except the end was quite dull.  Although interesting, I could have done without reading about the hobbits’ journey back home.  I found parts of the appendix quite interesting, as well.  I have to wonder though…the book is already so long, why no just include those things in the original story? 

Anyhow, this will always be a favorite!  I will look forward to reading it again with my children.