Coffee & Conversation

Kathryn Stockett’s first novel is wonderful. What a way to start 2010 by reading a story about a time in Mississippi which we all remember – the 60’s. A young white woman decides to interview black maids about their lives and the lives of the people for whom they work. It is a study in bias, racism and lines that need to be crossed; there is unspeakable cruelty and some loving kindness, unfortunately more of the former and less of the latter. It is a fast, fantastic read – you will not be sorry you took the time. I loved it.

Reminising about vacationing on Cape Cod as a child, the narrator weaves an interesting story about his well educated, professorial parents. He is now a parent and his daughter is getting married there. That is only part of the story. Richard Jusso delves into the personalities of this characters with wit and introspection. This is a departure from my love of mysteries but I enjoyed it very much. By Heather DeVries

From the moment I read my first Pat Conroy book I was hooked. They all are semi-autobiographical page turners. From “The Water is Wide”, “The Geat Santini”, “Prince of Tides, to “Beach Music” I identified, reveled and enjoyed. Now “South of Broad” comes along with the most evil human imaginable and the most wonderful human you wished you could emulate. Now you are warned about the evil, you will still enjoy the goodness and the Southern references, and be reminded of the struggles of integration and the horrors of  the AIDS epidemic.

Hope everyone has enjoyed reading about the Purdue men “making everyone’s day” standing on the corner on campus happily passing out unsolicited compliments to those passing by – what a wonderful, Christian act of kindness.