Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe - Fanny Flagg

one sentence summary
Friendship can come from the most unexpected people in the most unexpected ways

review
This is a wonderful novel, telling a story of a small town over fifty years of history. It shows true friendship in all sorts of forms and how much of a struggle it can be. In a hodgepodge of entertaining stories the lives of four women are patched together and you can't help but like them. It also takes an unflinching look at race relations in the Southern USA during this time. I recommend this to anyone who likes witty, amusing stories told in off handed ways.

8/10

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest - Ken Kesey

one sentence summary:
a 1960's look at the internal working of an insane asylum

Review:
I loved this book, I found it fascinating how mental illness was treated and defined in the 1960's (which in some ways was much better than how we do it today, in Canada at least, at least they were trying to fix the problem, they just didn't know how).The greater story is that of men trying to find their place in the world, or alternately a way to use the modern world to benefit themselves. That in times of hardship the human spirit remains intact, and even thrives. The writing is descriptive and detailed, it flows through your brain like cotton candy. It is such a unique read, told from a wonderful point of view, I highly recommend this be on everyone's "have read" shelve.

q10/10

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas - Hunter S Thomas

one sentence summary:
overindulgence leads to insanity
review:
This is a great work of American Fiction, it aptly throws the reader into the hedonistic drug culture of the 1960/70's. IT is a highly entertaining read full of unbelievable circumstances and outrageous claims, which when coupled with the drug induced feeling of the work it is one of the most fascinating novels I have read in a long time. I recommend it to anyone who wants an in depth look at the world of indulgence without actually doing the drugs. The writing is fantastic.
8/10

The Secret Life of Bees - Sue Monk Kidd

One Sentence Summary:
14 year old Lily makes friends with the neighboring African Americans while trying to learn about her dead mother and hide from her abusive, bigoted father.

Review:
This novel made me uncomfortable while I was reading it, I went from feeling bad for Lily to wanting to smack her myself, back to feeling bad for her. Writing a confused teenager as your main character can be complected enough and by adding the dimensions of race, familial-abuse and death makes it quite the challenging story. Kidd does a great job of touching on the more depressing issues and expressing the frustration all of her characters feel. If you are prone to being brought down and upset by novels I do not recommend you read this one because it is upsetting. That said, it is well worth reading, there is a reason every book club ever has had it on their list. But I has a sad. 

8/10

Notable Quotes:
"Someone who thinks death is the scariest thing doesn't know a thing about life." 

"If you need something from somebody always give that person a way to hand it to you." 


"Stories have to be told or they die, and when they die, we can't remember who we are or why we're here." 

"People, in general, would rather die than forgive. It's that hard."

If you enjoyed this you should read:

She's Come Undone - Wally Lamb 
A Prayer for Owen Meany - John Irving
Firefly Lane - Kristin Hannah

The Help - Kathryn Stockett

This was a wonderful (and depressing) read. Kathryn Stockett brought to life a very difficult time in Americas history. A lot of American readers hated this book and the reviews show it but I think that is because it made them so darn uncomfortable. The story is told using rather stock characters but that only makes the book stronger in my opinion  using stereotypes to illustrate the way people treat each other seems like the right thing to do, everyone knows that bitchy white girl who never had to work a day in her life, that girl everyone mocks for wanting different things than everyone else and I imagine in 1960 Mississippi that outspoken black woman and her counterpart the quiet scared one. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

8.5/10 (Historical - USA South 1960s Civil Rights Movement)
7/10 (The coming of age aspect of this would appeal to teenage girls, High School)

If you Enjoyed this book check out:

To Kill a Mocking Bird - Harper Lee
The Secret Life of Bees - Sue Monk Kidd
The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini