I’ve been keeping an eye out for all the fun promotions and freebies that were happening last year, but marketing America seems to have closed it’s pocketbook, put a sign in the window, and taken a long, extended lunch hour (probably after the brain-exercise that is Super Bowl ads). So, I’m here to say, there’s no more Good Deals in America. None. Zippo. Zip. Yes, you could find a genuine Yoda plus backpack for $34.99 and okay, *somebody* is giving away a free beer mug (they want to send you a freebie, so that you might want to put your logo on it), and sure, Lifehacker has a survey that says that out of 10,000 users, a geenormouns 5% are willing to pay over $10 for an ebook. (45% would pay 5-10$), but frankly the deal shelves are standing empty, there are no operators standing by, and what I need is Help.
The Help, actually. A ton of people have read this one, and I recently joined the club. The story is about a town in Jackson, Mississippi in 1962-63, and it’s another one of those “the book becomes the book” stories. A woman wannabe writer desperate for a hooky story proposes to write the stories of the African-American maids that work for the middle class ladies in the community, creating a ticking time-bomb as the reader waits for the town to realize what she’s doing. It’s scary-fascinating reading when you imagine the segregationist mentality of the time — a relatively recent time at that. The characters are well-done, the plot clips along nicely (i.e. lots of stuff happens). It’s a book that illustrates the power of suggestion and the power of suppression and how the world can change, one closed heart at a time. Highly recommended.
In honor of YOU, dear readers, because we love you and we haven’t given anything away in the longest time, we’re giving away a Kindle Fire (or the gift card equivalent, in the event you have or don’t want a Kindle Fire) to one lucky commenter from now until February 13, when we will choose a winner at random from commenters, to be announced on Valentine’s Day. 
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Read The Help a couple months ago and enjoyed it. Am now working my way through my RITA books. So many books, so little time!
On my TBR Number four at the moment, but JQ novels keep usurping it’s position! Sheri — Kilgannon is currently at position number two (although there are actually three JQ novels on my shelf and I suspect that they’ll go first — I’m afraid when I find an author I like I glom and I’m currently starting at the beginning and working my way forward.)
I’ve got a long TBR pile as well. Sigh. Including the Rita books.
The Help ranks up there as one of my favorite books of all time. That is because it has stayed with me since I read it a few months ago. I think it is astounding how far we have come in a relatively short time. There is still a long way to go, however.
I am reading a book that all the book critics raved about, Await your Reply by Dan Chaon. It is good…but I wouldn’t say it is THAT good.
I think it’s going to stay with me for a long time, too.
I haven’t read it yet, but everyone I know and some I don’t know (Hoda Kotb) just loved The Help. I have to get to it. But first, 7 more RITA reads and getting back to my re-read of KG’s Kilgannon. My good buy of the morning is taking my grandparents and mom out to breakfast. Catching up with the family, priceless.
Ah, love those family moments. Cherish them all.