First of all, you should know that this combination is amazing.

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In the yogurt mess bowl:

 

  • Panda Puffs (a peanut butter flavored GF organic cereal for kids!)
  • Greek yogurt (vanilla)
  • Blueberries

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My dogs are so obsessed with Panda Puffs that when they see me take the box out of the pantry they are immediately by my feet, begging for a puff.  Heh.

 

Blogger Book Club

 

As you might remember, there’s a group of ladies in Charlotte that meet up for a monthly book club.  Unfortunately, I missed our meeting last night because of work.  Plus, I hadn’t finished the book selection yet!  But I stayed up late last night reading and finally finished it alone.

 

We read Little Bee by Chris Cleave:

littlebee

This book was TRULY one of the Top 5 books that I’ve ever read.  Now, I can tell you that it’s probably a love-it-or-hate-it kind of book, but a wise teacher of mine once remarked, “A great book is a great book.  That doesn’t mean you like it, you just acknowledge its greatness.”  So true.  Whether you liked or hated Little Bee, I think it’s impossible to deny that this book is a GREAT book.

 

The back of the book warns, “We don’t want to tell you too much about this story.  Just trust us that it’s a great story,” so I don’t want to give away the plot.  But I will say this:  Little Bee weaves the stories of two narrators:  Little Bee, a Nigerian refugee, and Sarah, a privileged but emotionally tortured white woman in London.  Their lives intersect one fateful day on a beach and both lives are forever changed. 

 

Cleave’s writing is so beautiful, so painful, so descriptive, and used so many awesome literary techniques that I was dripping with jealously as I read.  He is an awesome writer!  The book is quickly paced and intriguing.  I would HIGHLY recommend it.

 

Our next book for August:  The Help by Kathryn Stockett.  Feel free to read along with us!

the-help

Have you read Little Bee?  Did you love it or hate it?  What do you think happens at the very end of the book?  Would you have done what Sarah did on the beach, or do you think you would’ve been more like Andrew?  (Warning: this means there will be spoilers in the comments section!)  I’ll share my opinion in the comments section, too!

{ 106 comments }

 

  • CaitlinHTP July 8, 2011, 8:06 am

    I think Little Bee is rescued at the end. I think Cleave leaves it open-ended on purpose, but I would like to think that Sarah is right and they won’t do anything bad to a journalist. Plus, I can’t NOT imagine a happy ending after such a sad story! Also, I would like to think I would’ve been able to do what Sarah did – I can respect Andrew and don’t think he should’ve guilted himself the way he did, though. What a horrible situation to have been in! So much pressure.

    • Rebeca July 8, 2011, 2:25 pm

      I kind of agree with you… I don’t think I want to know what happened to her in the end because I think it would have been less of a story. It would have lost a lot of it’s impact (for me).

      I think it’s an incredible story- but I do think that Andrew should have guilted himself (not to the point that he did, of course). He was selfish. The life of another person is priceless, it is worth any cost, including your own life (well at least that’s my way of living). Although, I’ve never been put in that position, I have to hope that I would be like Sarah.

      In the end, I think he’s incredible. I can’t wait to read another of his books. I read Little Bee in 5 hours then passed it to a friend who read it in another 5 and then to another who did the same over a lazy weekend at a cabin. Then we discussed it. Amazing!

    • Catherine @ jig and jog July 12, 2011, 10:30 pm

      I really liked Little Bee, and agree with you. I really hope it had a happy ending. I really liked how Cleave grabs you right from the beginning, you are immediately in Little Bee’s shoes.

      I also really liked The Help, and am a bit nervous about the movie version. I’m interested to see what changes they’ve made, since in the book the black women are the stars (so to speak,) while the film seems to be more about Skeeter. I will definitely see it though 🙂

      I read another of Cleaver’s novels, Incendiary, and it was great, but I preferred Little Bee.

  • Stephanie O'Donnell July 8, 2011, 8:09 am

    You’ll LOVE the book “The Help”!!! It is my favorite book…. could NOT put it down! Enjoy!

  • Kelly July 8, 2011, 8:17 am

    I haven’t read Litte Bee but I am dying to read The Help after all the buzz it has gotten!! 🙂 As for Panda Puffs…LOVE LOVE LOVE!!

  • MissD July 8, 2011, 8:18 am

    You’ll *LOVE* The Help!! It’s one of my absolute favorite books of all time. Plus the movie comes out August 12th.

  • Cait July 8, 2011, 8:22 am

    Both books are wonderful. I’m almost done with the Help and it’s simply a book of its time and a page turner =]

  • Amy July 8, 2011, 8:26 am

    Enjoyed “Little Bee”– loveeeeeeeeeeeeed “The Help”– pretty sure I WON’T see the movie just because I loved the book so much!

  • Molly @ RDexposed July 8, 2011, 8:34 am

    That’s such a true statement! If we can get so hurt by a book and hate it for that reason…that means it’s a great book!

  • Lauren July 8, 2011, 8:38 am

    LOVED “Little Bee” I was skeptical of the back cover, about not telling you what it’s about…but it truly is a great, powerful story. Looking forward to reading The Help, and then hearing about your and your book club’s thoughts/discussion topics.

  • Donna @ Life of a Happy Blonde July 8, 2011, 8:40 am

    I’ve never heard of Little Bee but i’m really excited to read the Help
    Love the great book statement, i never thought of it like that!
    My dog adores puffins, she goes crazy for the peanut butter kind 🙂

  • cathy July 8, 2011, 8:40 am

    i recently finished the help and STILL cannot get it out of my head! truly one of the best five books i’ve ever read. i’ll love to hear your thoughts/review when you’re done! warning: it’s so captivating, don’t pick it up when you have a writing deadline you’re trying to meet!

  • Erika July 8, 2011, 8:46 am

    Little Bee was one of the most painfully beautifully written books I’ve ever read. I read it in 2 days while on vacation. Could not put it down. Amazing to read about strangers coming together and caring for one another. Shows a side of humanity we don’t see nearly enough these days. I read the help too, pretty good…. Not as good as Little Bee. Not nearly.

  • Kath July 8, 2011, 8:48 am

    Karen just gave me that book!

  • Heather Montgomery July 8, 2011, 8:48 am

    The Help was great! You will love it! I lived in Jackson for years so it was interesting to read since I know all the landmarks!

  • Gina @ Running to the Kitchen July 8, 2011, 8:49 am

    I haven’t read Little Bee, but you are going to LOVE The Help. Best book I’ve ever read.

  • Corrie Anne July 8, 2011, 8:50 am

    I totally want to read the Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Hillary July 8, 2011, 8:51 am

    If you loved Little Bee, you have to read Cleave’s other book, Incendiary. It is just as disturbing (if not more) than LB, and equally fast-paced and intense.

    I’d love to say that I’d have the courage to be like Sarah, but who knows? I couldn’t stop thinking about what my reaction would be while I was reading, and I still haven’t come to a clear conclusion!

    The Help was one of the best pieces of fiction I’ve EVER read. And I’m an English teacher. I’ve read a LOT of fiction. Can’t wait to hear what you think of it!

  • kim July 8, 2011, 8:51 am

    The Help is soooooo good! Enjoy the read! Thanks for the heads up on Little Bee. I’m obsessed with anything bee related so even if it’s just in the title I’ll probably be picking this one up 🙂

  • Karmen July 8, 2011, 8:52 am

    I’ve said this before, but I loved Little Bee! Some parts were painful to read, but still beautiful. I either teared up or cried a handful of times while reading. Chris Cleave’s writing skills are amazing! I will have to check out the help, I’ve heard great things about it 🙂

  • Heather @ Side of Sneakers July 8, 2011, 8:52 am

    I JUST started reading that book last night- I’m so excited to hear you thought it was that good! 🙂

  • Katie July 8, 2011, 8:54 am

    I hated Little Bee and I don’t understand how anyone could enjoy such a disturbing story. The subject matter just isn’t enjoyable. I got to one point in the book that was so upsetting I had to stop reading for awhile and considered not finishing the book. Then someone suggested that maybe it would be less upsetting if I finished the rest of the story instead of being stuck on that one point. So I finished the book but it just got worse. I wish I hadn’t read the rest. I wish the back cover had said what the book is about. If I had known I never would have read it.

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) July 8, 2011, 8:55 am

    I haven’t read either of those. I kind of fell out of love with reading for a while, but I recently started reading Sundays at Tiffany’s and I can’t put it down! I love it! I have a hard time letting my imagination go some times, but I’m trying to just enjoy the moment in a book and get into it. I hate that my personality is so realistic, but I’m working on it.

  • Holly @ The Runny Egg July 8, 2011, 8:55 am

    I haven’t even heard of Little Bee — sounds interesting though. I like reading books that I really don’t know much about — it makes me pay attention when I’m reading!

    I’ve heard The Help is wonderful.

  • Cait @ Beyond Bananas July 8, 2011, 8:56 am

    I have not read Little Bee.. but will put it on my list! (along with The Help.. which is already on the list!) I am fully engulfed in the Hunger Game Series right now!

  • Karen July 8, 2011, 9:00 am

    I have not read The Bee but really enjoyed The Help. Happy reading 🙂

  • chloe @ 321delish July 8, 2011, 9:00 am

    The Help is one of the best books I have read in YEARS! LOVED EVERY PAGE!

  • sirenjess July 8, 2011, 9:01 am

    I read Little Bee last summer and loved it! It really it a great book. I haven’t read The Help but I may pick it up now.

  • Amanda @ There Are 2 Sides July 8, 2011, 9:01 am

    I read little bee 2 years ago on a business trip and I couldn’t put it down! I hope that it had a happy ending outside of the story but with as dark as the story was perhaps not.
    I am still surprised at what Sarah did to save someone elses live in that book. Shockingly amazing.

  • Lindsey July 8, 2011, 9:03 am

    I haven’t read Little Bee but The Help is next on my list too!

  • Faith July 8, 2011, 9:10 am

    I actually listened to the book Little Bee being read on a very long car trip, and I did not care for it much. However, based on your reaction, I’m wondering if my distaste for the book had more to do with how I read it… 🙂

    • Caroline July 8, 2011, 11:24 am

      I also listened to the audio version, and could not make it more than a few chapters. The narration was anything but face-paced or intriguing. I was so bored and annoyed with the slow build up.

  • Carly July 8, 2011, 9:15 am

    Little Bee was an amazing book! Cleave is such an amazing writer his style draws you in and just makes you want to read more. His other books are just as intense. I don’t know who I would react more like on the beach. It’s one of those things I don’t think you really know until its happening.

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat July 8, 2011, 9:17 am

    I don’t consider myself much of a reader at all, but The Help was great! I’m sure you’ll love it!

  • Kate July 8, 2011, 9:18 am

    The help is a wonderful and beautifully written book!!! Enjoy 🙂

  • faith July 8, 2011, 9:21 am

    I totally agree with you, Little Bee is a great book. I honestly didn’t love it but I knew it was a great book that deserved my time so I stuck with it. The Help is high on my list so maybe I will read along with you!

  • Erin D. July 8, 2011, 9:22 am

    I can’t wait to hear what you think about The Help! I loved that book–seriously could not stop listening (audiobook)! However, I’ve been really disappointed by the previews for the movie version. Don’t get me wrong, the movie still looks good, but I feel they missed the whole tone of the book and made it too happy and sunshiney. Keep us posted!

  • Whitney July 8, 2011, 9:22 am

    Little Bee was the first book we read in my book club about a year ago. I was mixed on it because I just didn’t like the character of Sarah. Everytime I read her chapters, I was annoyed and ready to get back to Little Bee. It was good, but I wouldn’t say great. And I didn’t like the way she mothered her son. Letting him always dress like Batman? I thought for a while that maybe he was austic or something but then when he wasn’t, I was just confused by her behavior. Yea, I was pretty mixed with this book.

    We have also read:
    Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand which I recommend
    American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis which I recommend if you aren’t squemish
    Forever by Pete Hamill which I thought was terrible but some people liked it
    Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova which was pretty medicore
    Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls which was really good

  • Baking 'n' Books July 8, 2011, 9:23 am

    I haven’t read that book – but I agree with your teacher. Same goes for ‘Catcher In The Rye’ and “The Great Gatsby”.

    EVeryone has read The Help it seems and loved it! I haven’t read it but have it here. I can’t get into picking it up yet. They usually aren’t my type of books – but time to broaden my horizons I think. I think I just want a light read now for the summer. The (rare) times I can sit out in the sun or something…

  • Susan July 8, 2011, 9:26 am

    I Loved Little Bee! It pulled me right in from the very beginnng! And, I also really liked The Help. It took a few pages to get into it, but then I was hooked. Not sure if I’ll see the movie…they’re never as good as the books!

  • Shelly July 8, 2011, 9:27 am

    My dogs have the same reaction to the Wheat Thins box that yours do to the Panda Puffs box!

  • Katie July 8, 2011, 9:28 am

    I thought Little Bee was fantastic. I know the subject matter was disturbing, but I really think he managed to tell the story with an incredible core of hope. I don’t think Little Bee survives, but I think the point is that it doesn’t matter. The whole book, she says that dying is not the worst thing that can happen to her. I think the point of the last scene is to show that she has found peace, joy and love in Sarah and her son, and no one can take that from her – even if she’s killed.
    I think I would do what Sarah did, not Andrew. She’s the character I related to the most in that scene. Obviously, of course, I really can’t say what I would do in the actual situation. I really can’t imagine something like that. I spent a lot of time thinking about it after I finished the book. And I agree with what you said about great books – whether you found it uplifting or upsetting, there is something about that book that really haunts you.

    • Caitlin July 8, 2011, 9:29 am

      Oh I’m tempted to agree with your argument about the ending!

    • Jamie @ A Healthy J.D. July 8, 2011, 10:24 am

      My thoughts regarding the ending mirrored Katie’s thoughts. No matter how disturbing the story line is, this book is hands down a beautifully written story. Ever since I finished Little Bee I’ve been dying to read Incendiary and The Other Hand.

  • Angela @ Pinching and Packing July 8, 2011, 9:29 am

    Skipped the other comments because I am downloading this book ASAP. Thanks for the rec, just wanted to say that I just finished the Help, and would put that in my top 5 books of all time, no question. You will love it!

  • Steph @ A Life Without Ice Cream July 8, 2011, 9:33 am

    Oh I just bought The Help and am planning on picking it up once I’m done my current book 🙂

  • Om Yoga July 8, 2011, 9:39 am

    Hi Caitlin,

    We are a relatively new yoga studio in the community and wanted to reach out and introduce ourselves! We are Om Yoga, located in Baxter Village in Fort Mill. We were reading your blog (which is great!) and you mentioned wanting to do more yoga. We hope you’ll come try us out!!

    From the yogi crew at Om Yoga 🙂

  • Jen July 8, 2011, 9:46 am

    I had mixed feelings about this book.

    I found it so well written, but a lot of the story seemed unbelievable. I just couldn’t imagine Sarah cutting off her finger. I felt like she neglected her son- and her husband obviously- throughout the story so it didn’t make sense to me that she’d save a stranger.

    Also, I think they all died at the end. Sarah was in trouble because she took Little Bee from the hotel, and I don’t think the “I’m a journalist” excuse would have saved her again. I wish I didn’t think this way but I’m sick and twisted!

  • Andrea @ Onion in My Hair July 8, 2011, 9:48 am

    The Help is absolutely amazing. I cried all the way through it.

    It’s the type of book that you want to stop reading because you don’t want it to end! The movie comes out later this summer, so you have great timing!

  • Anne @strawberryjampackedlife July 8, 2011, 9:51 am

    I have not read it, but I’ll be sure to put “Little Bee” on my list! I LOVED “The Help”! It’s a great book! I can’t wait to see the movie in August.

  • Emma July 8, 2011, 9:59 am

    I am reading Little Bee right now and I love it!!! I actually just finished the Help with my book club and it was also one of the best books I’ve ever read! You’ll love the characters!

  • samantha July 8, 2011, 10:11 am

    I have not read “Little Bee”, but I will add it to my list. It sounds intriguing. I loved, loved, loved “The Help”!

  • Erin @ The Grass Skirt July 8, 2011, 10:17 am

    We missed you last night! 🙁 I liked Little Bee, but I was actually kind of disappointed in it. I didn’t feel like it lived up to the hype. I am really excited to read The Help though…and see the movie!

  • Mary July 8, 2011, 10:28 am

    mmm yogurt bowls!!

    I havent read either of those books. They both look good though. I might have to go check them out 🙂

  • courtney (pancakes and postcards) July 8, 2011, 10:30 am

    I;d love to read that book! I will add it to the list 🙂

    The Help is really great, as everyone has said. I have sneak preview tickets to the movie on Monday so I can’t wait to see how it compares!

  • Ashley July 8, 2011, 10:34 am

    I haven’t read this book, but you will love The Help! I read it in three nights:)

  • Jacquelynn July 8, 2011, 10:34 am

    I just finished The Help last night… It is one of the best books i’ve ever read 🙂

  • Caitlin @ The Caitie Experiment July 8, 2011, 10:45 am

    You’re so right on being able to acknowledge a work for its quality, regardless of what your personal feelings on it are! My friend gave me Little Bee as a birthday present, after she had read it and LOVED it. I think I knew within the first 10 pages that it wasn’t going to be a favorite of mine — the narrative style just isn’t my thing, and I found it hard to relate to Sarah — but I can definitely appreciate that it’s a beautifully written book that stands on its own merit. Sounds like a total contradiction, but that’s really how I feel about it (similar to how I felt about Water for Elephants, actually)!

  • Ally July 8, 2011, 10:47 am

    I’ve been wanting to read Little Bee so much! I’ve heard great things about it. Right now I’m reading Rob Lowe’s memoir…I know, it’s so cheesetastic but the dude can write his butt off.

  • CJ July 8, 2011, 10:48 am

    I haven’t read Little Bee but it’s on my kindle wish list! I can’t wait to download it now! I have read the Help, however, and it was amazing! One of my favorites in awhile! I’m tempted to read it again along with you guys!

  • kara July 8, 2011, 10:56 am

    i’m just about to finish The Help (i was waiting for it to come out in paperback so it would be easy to tote back and forth during my commute, but could hardly stand the wait!) and it is INCREDIBLE. easily will be one of my favorite books ever. so i’m excited that you guys are reading it next.
    also funny that, just last night, i found out that my mom is currently reading Little Bee. i’ve thought about reading it before, but always ended up picking up something else instead and didn’t really know if i’d be interested in it. now that i didn’t have to buy it and can just borrow from my mom, maybe i will!

  • Jess@atasteofconfidence July 8, 2011, 11:02 am

    That definitely sounds like my kind of book. I love storiesa bout refugees. Help was good, hope you enjoy it!

  • Carla @ write-foot-forward.com July 8, 2011, 11:08 am

    I liked Little Bee but did not love it. I thought the character of Little Bee was very well developed, but could not identify with Sarah’s character. I didn’t find her actions or motives believable. That being said, I really enjoyed Chris Cleve’s writing style.

    I absolutely loved The Help! Enjoy!!

  • Christy July 8, 2011, 11:10 am

    I’m reading The Help currently. I love it so much.

  • Christine @ BookishlyB July 8, 2011, 11:12 am

    I have not read it, but I have to say I completely agree with what your professor said- often we should acknowledge something creative (literature, art, music, movies, etc…) is great but not in line with out tastes. For example, I don’t love Shakespeare (slap on the wrist for this English teacher), but I do acknowledge his greatness and contributions to the cannon.

  • Kate (What Kate is Cooking) July 8, 2011, 11:19 am

    I’m reading The Help right now and I love it 🙂

  • Anna July 8, 2011, 11:21 am

    I personally did not like Little Bee. I didn’t like or relate to any of the characters and the ending was definitely not amazing or life changing as the back of the book says. However, I LOVE The Help!!!! It is absolutely fantastic and I can’t wait to see the movie.

  • Tonyne @ Unlikely Success Story July 8, 2011, 11:26 am

    I have been wanting to read that book for a long time and your recommendation makes me want to read it even more.

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife July 8, 2011, 11:51 am

    I’d love to read it, thanks for the comment! I have read The Help, and LOVED it. Amazingly written. Beautiful story, and oh so heartfelt. Wow.

  • Beth (Well I'll Be) July 8, 2011, 11:59 am

    Both of the books yall have read for book club look great! The help is so good, you won’t want to put it down!

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin July 8, 2011, 12:00 pm

    The Help is definitely on my summer reading list! I’ve heard so many fantastic things about it.

  • Danielle D July 8, 2011, 12:03 pm

    The Help is FANTASTIC!! I recommend listening to it on tape– gives you a much better perspective of the characters in the book 🙂

  • karin July 8, 2011, 12:12 pm

    I absolutely love Panda Puffs (so addicted) and love, love, love The Help!! Skeeter is my fave character!! Having grown up in that same area in Mississippi, I can so relate to the book and characters. My guess is that you will love Skeeter too…

  • Kiran @ KiranTarun.com July 8, 2011, 12:22 pm

    I have these 2 books in my reading list! Thanks for sharing 🙂

  • Cyndi July 8, 2011, 12:57 pm

    The Help was an AWESOME book! Enjoy it!

  • Lynne July 8, 2011, 1:21 pm

    The Help is one of my favorite books of all time – I think you will love it! I also really enjoyed Little Bee, although I did not like the end. I just can’t imagine a happy ending for any of them… It was a disturbing book in many ways, but I think that’s a hallmark of a truly great book – it makes you think and feel things, not just enjoy a good story.

  • Yo July 8, 2011, 1:41 pm

    I loved LITTLE BEE and found it refreshing that the author could tell a truthful story without sugar-coating the ugliness of realities many people experience every day.

    THE HELP was a great story to read but just that…a story. The big secret??? Highly unlikely just disgusting enough to make many wonder about the people currently in their employ. I thought it and odd story to be created by one who would have been on the “privileged” side of it…creatively painting ourselves heroic????

  • E July 8, 2011, 2:06 pm

    Haven’t read Little Bee yet, but I’ll put it on my Nook list! I really enjoyed The Help & can’t wait for the movie next month.

  • Taysa July 8, 2011, 2:10 pm

    I am going to deny that Little Bee was a great book. In fact, I’d put it in the bottom 5 books I’ve ever read. I did not feel sympathetic to the characters and their development is dreadful, even cliche. I did not find the plot believable, and the “shocking beach scene” was so underwhelming. There were intersting moments, but they were always taken in such a gimmicky direction.

    As an English major and a lit lover, I have read many great books. This was not one of them.

  • Jenn's Adventures July 8, 2011, 2:43 pm

    A friend gave me their book of “The Help” and I’ve been wanting to read it–and I’d prefer to read it first before seeing the movie! I might just have to read along with you:)

  • kristen July 8, 2011, 3:00 pm

    I havent read little bee, but it sounds like it could be great!
    The help was AMAZING! I highly recommend it and they are making it into a movie next month!

  • Shari July 8, 2011, 4:14 pm

    You’re going to LOVE “The Help.” It’s deeply compelling and resonates so far beyond the last page!

  • erica July 8, 2011, 4:15 pm

    i just finished THE HELP 2 days ago. i loved it, couldn’t put it down 🙂

  • Shannon July 8, 2011, 4:20 pm

    The help is amazing!!!! I just finished it over the holiday weekend and love it!

  • Eve July 8, 2011, 4:32 pm

    I loved Little Bee – although it was called The Other Hand here in the UK, it was an amazing story! Would love to read The Help too – sounds like a good book!

  • Allison @ Happy Tales July 8, 2011, 4:39 pm

    I actually just finished this book yesterday, and holy WOW it was so good!!! I loved the way the author used two narrators… i think it made it that more powerful.

  • stacey July 8, 2011, 5:03 pm

    I am actually reading The Help right now! It is so good so far!

  • Rachel W July 8, 2011, 5:09 pm

    Hey there! I just moved to Charlotte and would love to be a part of your blogger book club if there’s room! If so, could you possibly send me some info for next month’s meetup?? Thanks 🙂

    • Caitlin July 8, 2011, 5:10 pm

      emailing you!

  • beth July 8, 2011, 5:18 pm

    OMG, OMG, OMG!!! you are reading all of my favorites! I LOVED little bee not only for the descriptive writing, but how it informs the tragic flaws in our social fabric. YUou should also read The Road by Cormac McCarthy. The Help is an incredibly funny and sad book you will love just as much as little bee 🙂

  • Zuzanka July 8, 2011, 5:32 pm

    I just finished reading What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami and it was fantastic. He talks about running, writing, running+writing, etc with such ease, poise and wisdom that it took me months to finish those tiny 170 pages. I found myself savoring every single sentence and stopping to think every few pages. Excellent read, highly recommended.

  • Mary @ stylefyles July 8, 2011, 5:33 pm

    Oh, I thought Little Bee was fantastic! I read it on a cross country plane flight and immediately passed it off to a friend as soon as I landed. Just one of those books you have to share!

  • Jenn July 8, 2011, 5:57 pm

    I have read both of these books! The Help was my absolute favorite book of the decade. And it just started. I couldn’t put it down. It was just fantastic. Caitlin, you are going to LOVE it.

    As far as Little Bee goes, I really did like the book, even though I have to agree with a poster above, where I like the LB chapters better than the Sarah chapters. I copied this from my reviews blog, which I generally neglect:

    The story of Little Bee and Sarah is a fantastic one. It is mostly a dark tale, but like life, it has its moments of humor and brightness. If this book was twice the length, I would have still enjoyed it. Mr. Cleve could have started the book from the first meeting, instead of telling it through flashbacks and the book would not have lost one bit of its essence, but I think it had to end exactly the way it did, even though it left me wondering what will happen next.

    I don’t think what happened next was too happy though. 🙁 I’d like to think I would do what Sarah did as well, but I don’t know if I could.

    I wasn’t really a great fan of Incendiary though and I am glad I read Little Bee first, because if I had read Incendiary, I would not have read Little Bee.

  • Susan July 8, 2011, 8:06 pm

    Huh. I thought it was obvious that Sarah was killed at the end. I’d like to think i’d make the same choice Sarah made, but my dh (a cop) would probably do it for me. If you can listen to the audiobook version of The Help, it is AM AZ ING!!!!!!

  • Kelley July 8, 2011, 8:35 pm

    I just read The Help and it was awesome! It is so moving- I think you’re going to love it!

  • elizabeth July 9, 2011, 7:19 am

    mmm panda puffs are my favorite!!

  • Tara July 9, 2011, 10:24 am

    The Help is SO good, I hope you like it! Might check out Little Bee now.

  • Christine July 9, 2011, 8:00 pm

    JUST finished reading “Little Bee” two days ago! Great book!!!!
    Read the help last fall and I think that may have been one of MY top 5 books I’ve ever read!!! Hope you like it!!!!

  • Emmalinda July 10, 2011, 11:38 pm

    I read Little Bee this summer and loved it. Little Bee is one of my favorite book characters ever. I found her description of being an immigrant/refugee enlightening–I really felt like I was seeing the world from her point of view. I’ve been recommending it to everyone, but only telling them what’s on the back cover…I don’t want to give it away!

  • Kelly @foodiefresh July 12, 2011, 4:48 pm

    I actually didn’t love or hate Little Bee. I found it interesting and would recommend it, but it didn’t blow me away. Now, The Help on the other hand, I LOVED. I’m so glad we keep picking books I’ve already read. 🙂 Can’t wait to talk about it next month!

  • heidi July 24, 2011, 11:19 pm

    huzzah! I can’t believe i’m so behind on your blog – am totally going to read The Help along with y’all next month 🙂 I’ve been searching for a new book club so at the very least this one will get me reading (though I’ll miss the discussions with wine/good food like my old book club which hasn’t been able to revive itself since i moved back to the DC area)

  • Jacalyn July 29, 2011, 7:59 pm

    This is hilarious. I opened my local library’s website to check and see if Little Bee was checked in…. On the first page of the website, the local book club advertised that the book for the month of July is Little Bee and the book for August is The Help! I crap you not. http://bcls.lib.tx.us/branches/pea/pearland.asp

    • CaitlinHTP July 29, 2011, 9:24 pm

      Wow! What a coincedence!

  • Lauren August 24, 2011, 9:08 pm

    Hi Caitlin! I know I’m a month late posting this, but I just found Little Bee at the library and read it based on this recommendation, and I wanted to contribute my thoughts! While I have a time saying that I loved this book because of the disturbing and sad subject matter, I was deeply moved by the writing. When I read Lolita, I was also disturbed by the subject material and I found that the beautiful writing disguised the subject matter. However, in Little Bee’s case, it gave dignity to the subject matter. To have a narrator such as Little Bee recount her story with such grace was absolutely moving and beautiful. I hope she is not killed in the end because she deserves to live to spread her story, I agree with the commenter who said that if she is killed, it is okay, because she has found peace. All in all, I’m glad I read this book and I appreciate your recommendation. Now, onto “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo!” 🙂

    • Caitlin August 24, 2011, 9:11 pm

      I’m so glad you liked Little Bee!

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