Sarah Addison Allen Books

She's the queen of guilty pleasure books with a southern twist!  All of her books have a bit of whimsy or, um, magic.  Whether it be apple trees that tell your fortune, visits from ghosts, or mysteriously changing wallpaper...there's always a mystical element to Ms. Allen's novels.

This is not your typical chick-lit fare...she's wonderful at creating vibrant Southern landscapes with strong female characters and a bit of mysticism.  If I were to make a comparison it would be to the wonderful book (and movie) Practical Magic...SAA books are along the same lines.  My ultimate favorite is Garden Spells and from there it's a tie between The Sugar Queen and The Girl Who Chased the Moon.  I've read all of her books (great beach reads) and each are a delight!

Latest Read: The Help

Yes, I've waited far too long to read this one and I'm not sure why.  I think it probably had something to do with the ridiculously long waitlist at the library.  Luckily, on my recent trip to Chicago, my mother lent me her copy and I sped through this book and was finished in two days!

 

As evidenced by my speedy reading of this book, The Help is quite compelling.  The story is told through the perspective of three different women (two black maids and one young white woman) and offers a rich understanding of the relationship between blacks and whites in the South during the '50s and '60s.  I can't decide whether Aibileen or Minny is my favorite character...both are clearly defined and their personalities leap off the pages.  While I do like Skeeter too, for some reason she seems more two-dimensional and flat compared to the black maids.  The only criticism I have of the book is that the ending left much to be desired.  It was somewhat abrupt and made me yearn for further knowledge of what became of these characters since I'd become so attached to their fates over the course of the story.  Overall, it was a absorbing novel and I would heartily recommend to most readers as the book has a very wide appeal.

4/5 stars.

Southern Lit Reading Challenge!

Since it's the new year and I've vowed to try as many new things as possible this year...I've decided to take part in my very first reading challenge!  I was immediately drawn to The Introverted Reader's Southern Literature Challenge as I luuurve me some down South lit (I mean, Their Eyes Were Watching God, Prince of Tides...the list goes on)!  Here's my tentative list of what I'm hoping to read this year to fulfill this challenge...any 4 of the following:

• I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou (I know, I know...I don't know why I haven't read this yet either)
• The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen
• Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver
• The Lords of Discipline by Pat Conroy
• With by Donald Harrington
• Mudbound by Hillary Jordan
• Beloved by Toni Morrison (I know...I'm a poor excuse of a reader for not having read this yet)
• Also, plenty of long-neglected Faulkner on my shelves

What I love most about this challenge is it gives me the long-needed kick in the butt to read some of these great novels...can't wait!  If you have the time...join in the challenge!