Going instantly in the opposite direction, I decided to read a much-talked about book called The Help. Mostly I don't read new hardbacks, unless I have the galleys, but my mother-in-law loaned it to me. She had to read it for her book club. I think thousands of women had to read it for their book club. You may have read it but I don't think you did. It is told from the narrative of three women, a white 20-something aspiring writer, a 50-something black maid and nanny who doesn't talk back, and a younger black maid who does. It takes place in Jackson, Mississippi during the 60s, right when the civil rights movement is just getting going, and things are amping up to a dangerous level. The young aspiring writer has moved back in to her parents' house and is looking for a topic to write about that actually means something. She decides she wants to tell real stories about real maids and their experiences working for these white families, in particular, these white women (of which she is one). I really liked this book. The characters were very well-drawn and it was a moving story. It was definitely one of the better books I have read in the last few years, although I'm not sure I'll keep a copy. I didn't really change me at all. Maybe I should read it a second time, not when I'm up all night with a toothache.