(Image by Tony Cenicola/The New York Times)

Although I was a book publicist for several years, I haven’t written an actual full-length review of a book since book reports were mandatory in seventh grade — and I don’t intend to start again now! However, I would like to share with you my thoughts on some books I recently read, starting with…

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

From Publishers Weekly: Starred Review. What perfect timing for this optimistic, uplifting debut novel (and maiden publication of Amy Einhorn’s new imprint) set during the nascent civil rights movement in Jackson, Miss., where black women were trusted to raise white children but not to polish the household silver. Eugenia Skeeter Phelan is just home from college in 1962, and, anxious to become a writer, is advised to hone her chops by writing about what disturbs you. The budding social activist begins to collect the stories of the black women on whom the country club sets relies and mistrusts enlisting the help of Aibileen, a maid who’s raised 17 children, and Aibileen’s best friend Minny, who’s found herself unemployed more than a few times after mouthing off to her white employers. The book Skeeter puts together based on their stories is scathing and shocking, bringing pride and hope to the black community, while giving Skeeter the courage to break down her personal boundaries and pursue her dreams. Assured and layered, full of heart and history, this one has bestseller written all over it. (Feb.)
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The Believers by Zoe Heller

From Publishers Weekly: Starred Review. Heller (What Was She Thinking?; Notes on a Scandal) puts to pointed use her acute observations of human nature in her third novel, a satire of 1960s idealism soured in the early 21st century. Audrey and Joel Litvinoff have attempted to pass on to their children their lefty passions—despite Audrey’s decidedly bourgeois attitude and attorney Joel’s self-satisfied heroism, including the defense of a suspected terrorist in 2002 New York City. When Joel has a stroke and falls into a coma, Audrey grows increasingly nasty as his secrets surface. The children, meanwhile, wander off on their own adventures: Rosa’s inherited principles are beleaguered by the unpleasant realities of her work with troubled adolescents; Karla, her self-image crushed by Audrey, has settled into an uncomfortable marriage and the accompanying pressure to have children; and adopted Lenny, the best metaphor for the family’s troubles, dawdles along as a drug addict and master manipulator. Though some may be initially put off by the characters’ coldness—the Litvinoffs are a severely screwed-up crew—readers with a certain mindset will have a blast watching things get worse. (Mar.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Busy Woman Seeks Wife by Annie Sanders

From Publishers Weekly: Its title alone should win this frothy fantasy a following among harried gals juggling craven ambition and goddesslike domesticity. It can’t hurt that Sanders, the pseudonym for Brit writing partners Annie Ashworth and Meg Sanders, has been there and done that (Goodbye, Jimmy Choo). Here, the duo take traditional gender roles and turn them upside down with busy sportswear marketer Alex and perennially out-of-work actor Frankie. Alex realizes she needs somebody to cook, clean, run errands and babysit her imperious mom, Bean, and through a series of mishaps she ends up with Frankie—a wacky twist that plays out with all the predictable pratfalls. But a tepid love story gets a shot of adrenaline from strong supporting characters, including diva Bean, who strikes just the right balance between fragile and fierce. Delightfully harebrained, there’s a method to everyone’s madness and an unwavering moral compass: follow your heart, trust your family and friends—and don’t be too quick to judge the hired help. (Apr.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Of the three books, my favorite was definitely The Help. I read it over the course of two plane rides — the first half of the book on my way to New York City for the National Stationery Show and the second on my flight back to Omaha. The Believers I read while vacationing in Phoenix, though it was certainly not what one would consider a “beach read.” The characters were wholly unlikeable, yet the story was entertaining enough to hold my interest.

A junkie for chick lit, I was surprisingly disappointed by Busy Woman Seeks Wife and would not recommend it. The mess of characters were not fully developed; I was sure that the man who became the main character’s love interest was gay based on the author’s descriptions of him and his dialogue throughout the book.

I’ve picked out the next two books on my reading list thanks to Janet Maslin’s recent New York Times article, “The Girls of Summer – Surveying the Season’s Chick-Lit Books:”  Commencement by J. Courtney Sullivan and Trouble by Kate Christensen. I’m always on the hunt for a great book to read, so if you have any recommendations, please leave a comment below!

All book reviews via Amazon.com.