If You Read Only 1 Book

this year than this is the book it needs to be - The Help by Kathryn Stockett. An absolutely wonderful tale set in Jackson, Mississippi in the early 1960's. Warwick's hosted an overflow capacity crowd event last night. Susie and I have been looking forward to this book event for months ever since we finished the advance galley copies sent by the publisher. I passed the book on as soon as I was done to my mom who loved it as well and she passed it to many of her friends. When I found out Warwick's was fortunate enough to have Kathryn coming I told mom she had to come. Her lovely friend, Pat Corless who had read the book volunteered to drive her down and attend the event with her. Sadly, that visit was not to be, however mom was with us in spirit. Susie outdid herself by announcing at the beginning of the night that the event would be dedicated to a voracious reader and lover of The Help who couldn't attend - none other than mom herself. Susie had a chair front and center in mom's honor and asked me to sit in it for the program. I was touched beyond words.

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The event also drew out Nancy Warwick the owner of the store who does not attend many events, but like so many of us found the book to be so phenomnal. Nancy is to my left in the group photo.

Octavia Spencer is a close personal friend of Kathryn's and the inspiration for the character Minny. It was a special treat to have her read several excerpts from the book. She is a very accomplihed actress - check out her manycredits on http://www.imdb.com/ - just searh by her name!

Gracious and kind does not even begin to describe Kathryn. She is the epitome of Southern grace and charm all rolled up in the tiniest of packages. Kathryn assured the audience that there s another book coming. I, for one, can hardly wait.