Kathryn Stockett: The Help

The Help

The battery on my iPad was running low before my flight back to Germany, so I had to find something else to read to pass the time.

Since the selection at Hudson Books is very – uh – limited, it was between something chick-lit I would have been embarrassed about or some gruesome thriller like all the other ones…booooring. So I settled for this, knowing it has been made into a movie and fully expecting something awful.

To my surprise, nothing awful to be found.

This is a very interesting book, which in my opinion depicts quite well the society of Mississippi in the early sixties. Written from the perspective of two colored maids and the freakishly tall white girl Skeeter, it oozes a lot of warmth and fear and makes you want to eat cornbread like, NOW!

At some point the plot becomes fairly obvious, but that’s the case with most books. Despite the sad main topic, thee were some laughs and chuckles in it, especially in the “Minny”

Of course, it’s always a bit iffy if something about the civil rights movement is written by a white person but from the perspective of a person of color, but I think Kathryn Stockett did a pretty good job at it.

Somebody must have criticized it none the less, because in the essay that’s included in the back of the book, she clearly states that of course she has no idea how black maids felt.

Also she took some liberties mentioning songs etc. that weren’t even released back then, but oh well.

It’s a nice and uncomplicated read, and that’s what mattered when I bought it. I really want to see the movie, if just for the costumes.

Michael Wallner: April in Paris

Ein Deutscher, der gerne ein Franzose wäre, aber leider ein Dolmetscher für die SS in Paris ist ist. Nachts schleicht er sich aus dem Hotel, um in Zivil so zu tun, als wäre er ein Einheimischer.

Zu allem Unglück verliebt er sich auch noch in die Tochter eines Buchhändlers, der Teil der Resistance ist…selbstverständlich gerät er so zwischen die Fronten und schließlich selber in Gefangenschaft.

Dieses Buch wäre sicherlich ein schöner Film, so finde ich es ein wenig seicht. Es stellt sich die Frage: Was ist da jetzt eigentlich der Punkt? Aber vielleicht muss auch nicht jedes Buch einen haben.

Dan Rhodes: Little Hands Clapping

The WEIRDEST book I’ve ever read. Period.

I don’t even know how to describe what it is about, or how it’s written. Set in Germany, describing a bunch of very strange and highly disturbing characters…at points very funny, very random all the way through.

Possibly I’m offended because all these fucked up people are supposed to be German, from Hamelin, which Rhodes uses as an explanation for what’s wrong with them. Maybe he knows a lot of things about Hamelin I’ve never heard of. Maybe he is just a Brit who wants to mock Germans (can you hear my pissed off prejudice against prejudice?).         Maybe the book isn’t very good.

Or maybe I just don’t get it.

Growing up in heaven

Those who know me know about by beliefs. I picked up this book after seeing him on Chelsea Lately. I’ve always wondered what happens up in heaven (if you will).

Reading it just made me want to do this kind of work even more. Very touching book.

Paper Dollhouse

I loooooved this book! So honest and touching. It had a very nice flow to it that made me want to keep reading it. Her relationship with her mother is remarkable. Brutal at times but the love comes right through. Pick it up, you won’t regret it!

How to write for Television

Yet another technical book. Was interesting, she had some good specifics in there and did learn a few things the previous books did not discuss. It was a quick, easy read.

Writing Television Sitcoms

One more of them technical books. Guess it’s purdy obvious which phase I’m in. I liked this book a lot. Very quick read, yet it is filled with useful info on the world of sitcom writing with tips and notes from accomplished producers/writers/agents.

Groucho and Me

Yet another Groucho book, this time it was his one and only autobiography. Though I guess I would call it a collection of anecdotes. It was interesting to find out more about his childhood, where he came from, how he got to stardom.
His writing is very sarcastic, witty and self deprecating at times; my kind of author.
Reading him stay that he struggled to find his funny, that it didn’t always come naturally gives me a lot of hope!

Building your play

I’ve been looking into guide books for playwriting, I really just wanted to know if there is a proper, universal manuscript format like they have for screenplays, or it’s a bit of a free for all.

While I did not get my answer for that question, I did get a lot of useful information as far as structure goes. I found the first half particularly helpful, then it became a bit too heady and a little dull. I had a hard time finishing it actually. I would recommend it as a complimentary reading, or if you are looking for a quick read on play structure.

Unlimited

If you know me, you know I love Jillian Michaels. She completely changed my life.
I’ve been waiting for this book for almost two years now, and it did not disappoint. She discusses her philosophy, way of life, how to set goals and achieve them, things that she works on with the BL contestants behind the scenes, thing’s that’s never made it to the screen.
I know she doesn’t work for everyone, but she is definitely my Big Homie, mentor and a huge motivational force. She got through to me and gave me a major reboot.