Janet Evanovich Wicked Series

While I was painting the bathroom FOR FIVE DAYS, I needed some entertainment. I found it in the "Wicked Series," by Janet Evanovich.

There are only two books, Wicked Appetite and Wicked Business, in the series so far.

But with main characters like Lizzy,  who bakes enchanted cupcakes, and her magical and studyly costar, Diesel, there are sure to be more books on the way.

The books are not great literature. But they are full of fun and oddball characters including a monkey named Carl, who says, "Eeeeeeee," and gives nearly everyone the finger.

The series got me through five days of painting. What more could a gal ask for?

I wouldn't say the books are worth paying $8.99 a piece, but here are the links for them on kindle, anyways. I got them FREE from the online library, which more people should take advantage of, if they aren't already because with a library card and a pin, it's easy and FREE.

The Book Thief

The Book Thief, by Marcus Zusak, was my book club of two's very first book, that I picked, nearly a year ago. I just finished it.

Good thing my book club is patient with me. Of course, it is just me and the Huz who are in it and we all know the man has a lot of patience.....

I started the Book Thief Friday, and finished up the last few pages this morning after getting everyone off to school and work.

It was so good. I'm not sure why I didn't finish it sooner. Perhaps because I'm incapable of reading a real book?

Buy Kindle Version of The Book Thief here:

The second time I began and finally finished The Book Thief I read it on my phone's kindle app. Obviously, I prefer electronic books over real books mainly because they're a lot easier to read in the dark.

Or maybe I was unable to finish The Book Thief, which is narrated by Death himself because it's à sad and tragic book.

Buy the hard copy of The Book Thief here:

The Book Thief is about the Holocaust. It's about the German Jews who were persecuted and the Germans who didn't go along with the hatred Hitler infused in Germany through brutality and fear.

Yes, it's a sad story but to quote Death himself, and the book:

I wanted to ask her how the same thing could be so ugly and so glorious, and its words and stories so damning and brilliant. None of those things, however, came out of my mouth. All I was able to do was turn to Liesel Meminger and tell her the only truth I truly know.

I said it to the book thief and I say it now to you.

I am haunted by humans.

If you love a GREAT story, and don't mind reading with a box of tissues, then I highly recommend reading The Book Thief.

Now what should The Book Club of Two read next?

Nit-Pickin'

Hubby just read "Nit-Pickin'" by Nancy Van Laan and George Booth to the whole family. Good thing we ALL have a sense of humor.

"Nit-Pickin," is about this girl who gets, that which cannot be named. (LICE!)

Those creepy crawlies were multiplying in her hair lawn, they were flying planes, playing music and having picnics!
But don't worry, Internet, she gets them buggers in the end with some RID Nit Shampoo.

I almost felt sad for the lice. Not.

"Um, honey can you check my hair?" I ask. "That book made my head itchy."

Die, Nit, Die.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

My book club is currently reading, "The Help," by Kathryn Stockett, a white woman born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi. I mention her race because, the book's narrative is from the perspective of three women, two of which are African American.


The main story goes something like this: Skeeter, the white girl, is an aspiring writer who gets the great idea to write a book of interviews of African American maids, and what it's like working for white women in Mississippi, in the sixties.

Skeeter, enlists the help, a risky undertaking, of two maids, Minny and Aibileen, who provide the other two narratives in the book. I thought the author did a great job relating the maids' point of view. I connected to the characters with my body and mind, heart and soul.

"Wow, White Girl really has this figured out!" I repeatedly thought to myself, while every so often glancing at her photo in the book jacket.


Look at how white she is, y'all!

But then I remembered, "hey, I'm a white girl, what do I know about being an African American maid in the 60s, in Mississippi?"

Zero.

Uh, huh!

I'm sure the writer did a ton of research, but this story touches the heart. It's authentic.

Then I read the after word, titled "Too little, Too late," when I finished the book, and found the answer to my question.

The author herself, had a mother who travelled frequently. As a result, she was primarily raised by her African American maid, Demetrie.

Aha!

It wasn't that Stockett was particularly conscious of racism as a child. It is as an adult, she learned compassion. Through the characters Minny and Aibileen, the author seamlessly time travels, to her past, catching a glimpse of what life must have been like for the woman that raised her, Demetrie, The Maid.

Some critics have accused the white characters in The Help of being inauthentic, but this book WAS NOT written for white folks.............It was written as a forgotten acknowledgement and thank you to the woman that loved, cared for and raised Stockett.

Amen! It's never too late to say, "Thank you."

I can see Demetrie beaming down from heaven, right now, thinking there's more work to be done, on Earth. Everyone in this country must be granted equal protection of the law. It's unconstitutional to offer a majority of people the right to marry, while excluding the minority from marrying......