Age Group:
Young Adult

Genre:
Realistic Fiction, Poetry, American Fiction, Coming-of-age, Romance

Summary:
Seventeen-year-old Lennie Walker, clarinetist and bookworm, lives contentedly in the shadows of her spirited older sister Bailey. But when Bailey dies suddenly, Lennie is forced to accept life as an only child – and as the new center of attention around town. Suddenly, her melancholic mood is attracting two different boys. Toby, formerly engaged to marry Bailey, seems inexplicably drawn to Lennie and the deep, deep sorrow that the two now share. Plagued by guilt, Lennie struggles to cope with the suddenly physical relationship that is growing between them.

But a ray of sunshine bursts into Lennie’s life in the form of new classmate and Parisian import Joe Fontaine. Joe, untouched by loss, is full of energy and passion, and Lennie can not helped but be drawn into his compassionate embrace. Soon Lennie finds herself torn in two, divided by her overwhelming sense of despair and her desire to find joy in life once again.

My Thoughts:
A celebration of life, love and passion during a time of immense sorrow and grief, The Sky is Everywhere has much to say about death and how it feels to be the person left behind. Lennie is a realistic character, whose emotions perfectly capture the experience of loss. Lennie’s eccentric Gram and uncle Big are also plausible figures who mirror Lennie’s grief and enable her to survive it. This is a sexy, fierce novel that ebbs along at an enticing pace.

Borrow The Sky is Everywhere from your local Vaughan library today!

Full Title:
Nickel and Dimed: on (not) getting by in America

Accolades:
New York Times Bestseller

Age Group:
Adult

Genre:
Non-Fiction, American Literature, Investigative Journalism, Social Commentary, Economics

Summary:
What is it like to live poor in America? To answer the question, Ehrenreich embarks on a completely immersive journalism experience, from juggling customers at big chain restaurants to folding women’s clothing at Wal-Mart.

Through a variety of low paid, back-breaking labour, Ehrereich uncovers an “invisible” world rich in corruption and manipulation. What she discovers will either confirm your suspicions, or open your eyes to an unseen world. Backed by plenty of hard hitting facts, Nickel and Dimed is sure to get you thinking about the plight of low-wage workers in America (and even Canada!).

My Thoughts:
Eerily reminiscent of my own days as a low wage worker, Nickel and Dimed brings poverty out of hiding, forcing readers to acknowledge the power struggles that are happening all around them.

As a young adult I remember working the front lines of customer service for bare minimum pay. First there was my four year stint at McDonald’s beginning at age 15. That was a crash course in coping with unreasonable, obstinate customers, intimidating managers and awful hours. Then there was a garden center job, where you could often find me trying to lift 50 pound flower pots filled with wet soil (gah!). And finally working at a pet store, where I met a 19-year-old girl who was struggling to raise two young children, deal with the children’s deadbeat father and cope with her own mother’s alcoholism. I still can not even fathom the struggles she was enduring at that time. All of these jobs were humbling experiences where I learned the value of hard work, tenacity and even gratitude for my sheltered, privileged life.

But the difference with my situation was that I always knew, like the author, that it was only temporary. And I always had the cushy support of my working middle class parents who helped support me through university.

Nickel and Dimed is a wonderful eye opener that is certainly worth a read. For a more recent book with a similar concept, try the riveting Working in the Shadows: a year of doing the jobs (most) Americans won’t do. You can check out my review here: https://www.vaughanpl.info/blog/?p=3067.

Borrow Nickel and Dimed: on (not) getting by in America from your local Vaughan Library today!

Genre:
Historical Fiction, African American, Social Justice, American Literature, Humourous, Realistic Fiction

Summary:
Set in 1962 Mississippi, The Help chronicles the lives of two distinct social classes of women: the white ones with all the money and the black ones who clean their houses. Through the narrative voices of three main characters, Skeeter, Aibileen and Minny, readers are introduced to an America steeped in prejudice, hypocrisy and downright contempt for its black inhabitants.

Aibileen and Minny struggle as maids for the rich and cruel women of Jackson. Skeeter, a twenty-two year old white graduate of journalism in search of a provocative story, witnesses the racism in her neighbourhood and decides to make a change. From there she embarks on a mission to interview the help, compiling a series of memoirs that is sure to shake up the town of Jackson forever.

My Thoughts:
A memorable and touching story tackling racism in the white South. Stockett does an excellent job of capturing the viewpoints of her characters, breathing life into them with rich detail, humour and compassion. Aibileen is quiet, hardworking and loving, while Minny is a little firecracker who refuses to back down. These two come together to help the tenacious Skeeter with her project.

The ensuing hi jinks will have you laughing out loud and wishing swift redemption for the down trodden. An inspiring novel that has garnered much well deserved attention. The movie is also fantastic and definitely worth a watch!

Borrow The Help from your local Vaughan Library today!