What do you do when you finally get that well deserved sea-side break you’ve been dreaming about for months? Well, I don my gorgeous bikini, make sure my SPF situation is all taken care of, with Caribbean Tan’s help of course. Then I haul out that pretty little Kaftan that’s going to make all the other girlies at the beach green with envy, and I read! The perfect time to catch up on my summer reading is at the beach. I have fallen in love with two fabulous must reads, and I have a feeling they’ll be in your own colourful tote’s this coming December; they are The Help by Kathryn Stockett and Savour The Moment by Nora Roberts.
THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett is a mesmerising read and follows the story of three ordinary women living in 1962, Mississippi. This book is a celebration of women, and the human spirit. The Help centre’s around 22 year old Skeeter, a pretty southern belle whose mother just won’t be happy until she walks down the aisle. One of Skeeter’s most trusted gal pals and confidants is her beloved maid Constantine, the woman who raised her. Aibileen and Minny, two equally strong gals, one grieving over the loss of her son, while taking care of another white little girl, and the other just recently employed and uncovering secrets a plenty at her new job. Now these women may be different in their struggles, but they come together to start a movement that changes not only the direction their lives are taking but will set the tone for a town to rebuild and start living equally.
The Help is not only moving, it is timeless. It reaffirms the strength and tenacity that all women possess, the things we will stand for, and ultimately, the things we wont. (THE HELP has been adapted for film and is on SA screens nationwide now)
SAVOUR THE MOMENT by Nora Roberts is the master of all chick books. We absolutely loved it, and finished it in 2 days. The story follows four childhood friends Parker, Emma, Laurel and Mac – the owners of Vows, Connecticut’s most famed wedding planning company. Savour The Moment follows Laurel, who has always had her friends around her, especially because her parents have never been there for her. She spends her days baking and creating the most sinfully delicious wedding cakes. She helps to make sure that other people’s wedding days are unforgettable, but when it comes to her own love life, she’s a little bit hopeless. But as in all great chick lit books, there is a tall, dark and handsome man in the picture, Del Brown and he just so happens to be the brother of her best friend Parker. Did we mention Laurel has had a crush on Del ever since they were kids? But can she have a little faith in love this time? I could not put this book down. Gorgeously written as only Nora Roberts can. Savour The Moment is about living your dreams, but not pushing love out. Having faith that there is a lid for every pot, and whoever that person is, have the faith to take that chance – it might be the best chance you’ve ever taken.