Our book discussion group is up and running for 2010, meeting the 4th Wednesday of each month.  That makes our first meeting Wednesday, January 27. We are going with a recommendation from Bob Fulmer, who lists this as one of the best books he read all last year (& Bob reads a lot of books!).

 Fiction

**The Help by Kathryn Stockett who, like her heroine, Sketer Phelan, grew up in Jackson, Mississippi.  The novel is set during the civil rights movement when black women were trusted to raise white children but not to polish the household silver or use a guest bathroom. Skeeter is just home from college in 1962, without a husband and anxious to write something more significant than the Junior League newsletter. She begins to collect the stories of the black women on whom the country club sets relies by enlisting  Aibileen, a maid who's raised 17 children, and Aibileen's best friend Minny, who's been fired several times after mouthing off to her white employers. The stories are scathing, shocking, totally believable, and help bring pride and hope to the black community, while alienating Skeeter from her lifelong friends. Written in three distinct voices that are pitch perfect and confident, this my favorite book so far this year.  (written in March and true for the year) 

Polly Clement will order multiple copies of the book from Amazon in the next few days, so please call her if you would like her to order one for you.  Not sure of price, but will be lowest price available. When we order multiple copies, shipping costs greatly reduced.  You may call Polly or email her. 

Our first discussion of the year will be held at Berkeley's home at 7:30 PM.  Please phone Berkeley for reservation.  Cost is $3.00 to cover dessert, snacks, wine, coffee, etc.. We hope to see you there!