Book Review - The Help

I found The Help on Book Page, a monthly release of book reviews and new books. It was a good thick read, spread with wonderful character sketches and peppered with moral and civil issues.

The story's meat is based on the lives of several African American maids in the 60's. A young budding, white journalist takes on the task of writing the story of the maids. They meet in secret to share their lives as hired help. They feel the real threat of segregation laws and the hands of those who have the power to destroy their lives. Stories sad, sweet and demeaning are shared as Miss Skeeter, the journalist, types away filling page after page with the lives of The Help.

This first novel by Kathryn Stockett was wonderfully descriptive and left me feeling like I had a filling southern meal heaped with bitter truths.

Jenny

How To Build a Rain Garden Library Program

How To Build a Rain Garden

Thursday April 16th @ 6:30 pm

The Colfax Public Library will be hosting a program on "how to build a rain garden" in your own yard. The program host, Susan Frame, a Horticulturalist from CVTC, will be presenting on how to plan and set up a rain garden for homeowners and businesses that want to take advantage of rain run-off. Click HERE to go to the Wisconsin DNR website on Rain Garden projects and further information. The library program is free to the public and no registration is required. For more information about the library program, call the library during open business hours (715-962-4334).

The Colfax Daisy's Service Project

Wow, great job girls! The little Daisy's completed a service project, which consisted of making colorful bookmarks for the library patrons at the Colfax Public Library. The girls also requested that we had out a bookmarks to all the little children that attend our weekly Story Time program.

As you can see by their faces, the girls were very proud of their crafty project.

It's Kris

WOW! It has been a long time since I have updated you all on what I'm reading. I have read tons of books but nothing really jumped out at me that needed to be blogged about.



I did join the Colfax Public Library Book Club. I believe that there are about 12 of us in the club. I have not met them yet. A book was pick by the group before I joined and the book is Rhett Butlers People by Donald McCaig. ( The link will take you to the M.O.R.E. site where you can request the book )

What did I think about the book? Well, at first I thought that it was slow. I never read Gone With the Wind but saw the movie. I kept thinking that this book should be like that book. And it wasn't.
By the 4th chapter I was enjoying the book for the book its self. It was interesting to see how Rhett became the man that he was.

This booked started before the civil war and took us through the war, showing how it affected Rhett and Scarlett and why both made the choices that they made. It made me want to slap Scarlett and kick Rhett in the rear end!

Would I recommend this book? Yes, I would. It was a solid good read.

A Single Thread

It's Jenny again. I recently read A Single Thread by Marie Bostwick and really liked it, so I thought I would give a brief overview of the storyline to maybe spur some interest in this well written and heartwarming tale.

The story is based around two middle aged female characters named Evelyn and Abigail. Evelyn is recently divorced and trying to forge a new life for herself in a quaint New England town. A spark of a dream encourages Evelyn to take a risk and step out into the business of owning a quilting store. A quilter for years herself, Evelyn stitches life not only into her business and community but also a network of friends that help each other through the rough seams of life.

Multi-millionaire Abigail, is thrown for a loop when her niece is sentenced to live with her for a year. Family grudges are exhumed and new bonds are formed through the simple task of living and quilting. Abigail grows, changes and softens to become a seasoned women who not only has good taste and style but has a warm heart as well.

I am not a quilter (yet) but really enjoyed this story and it inspired me to work at putting a little more community into my life and to be thankful for the influence of a good friend.

Traces WWII Traveling Bus Tour

~Coming Soon~

"Held In The Heartland"

Traces WWII Traveling Bus Tour
Monday March 2, 2009
3-6 pm.
@ the Colfax Public Library

During WWII the Midwest was home to approximately 250 prisoner of war camps. Tens of thousands of the 380,000 Germans imprisoned across the U.S. during WWII were held in the Midwest, part of the millions of Axis and Allied prisoners held across the world. These prisoners embody ageless and timely themes of war and peace, justice during times of war, human rights, international reconciliation and potential lessons for avoiding furture conflicts.

"Held In the Heartland" is housed in a bus made into a mobile museum with a 21-seat theather. This bus tour will illustrates the unknown story through narrative texts, artifacts & media.

Any questions call the library @ 715-962-4334, or email: cocirc@ifls.lib.wi.us For more website information click here.

It's Jenny

Hi, this is my first post on our blog. I'm finally getting around to doing a book review. Recently out, The Little Giant of Aberdeen County, is a book that revolves around the female character Truly. Truly is somewhat of an enigma. She has a pituitary gland disorder that causes her to continue to grow. Her growing up years and family life are riddled with difficulties. Truly finds herself connected to the Doctor of the town through circumstances not altogether to her liking. A bit of a treasure hunt ensues as she embarks to discover a secret from the past that she will use to deeply effect her and those around her.

This book is a well written first novel by author Tiffany Baker. I enjoyed the characters as she brought them to life. You almost feel as if you could really see through their eyes. This work of fiction however, raises some ethical questions that are not easily answered. I was disappointed in the way the author handles these issues and would hesitate to read her second novel because of that.

The Little Giant of Aberdeen County has original characters, small town feel, real feelings and some heavy questions. Click here to reserve your copy.