The Help

Sometimes, I have a very hard time explaining to friends what makes something so incredible to me. For example, when a friend told me she couldn't get through a book I practically forced her to read, I simply exclaimed, "well then you're reading it wrong!" Clearly. What else could be the problem?

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However, in the same conversation, we discussed The Help, which none of my friends were having trouble reading. I must admit, the book caught my eye back in 2009 when Sarah Jessica Parker (the love of my life) was spotted around New York City with the book in tow.
I'll spare you the length of an actual book review, because by now, you should know that the Kathryn Stockett novel is a #1 New York Times Bestseller, critically acclaimed by newspapers, magazines, celebrities, and authors alike.

The book is set in Jackson, Mississippi in the early 1960's, the story takes readers on a journey through the eyes of three narrators. Two of which are Black maids for White households, the third is a White woman who decides to tell their story. For a full synopsis of the book, check out Stockett's website here. If you're one of those people who don't actually read books, well then I feel sorry for you. But - all is not lost. The excitement and following of The Help has lead to a major movie deal! Hitting theatres this August, people are eager and excited for the novel to hit the big screen.

Demetria Lucas of A Belle in Brooklyn had the opportunity to see an advance screening of the film, which left her feeling a number of feelings, some bad and others good. Lucas brings up a good point that there are some undeniable feelings behind the fact that his is a book is a depiction of the Black struggle of the 1960's by a White woman. Additionally, Stockett now faces a lawsuit filed by Ablene Cooper, who says Stockett based her main character, Aibileen Clark, on her. Nothing like a good lawsuit to continue garnering press for an already good thing.

Back to the point: I can't wait to see the movie! Check out the trailer below, and photos from the film, all courtesy of DreamWorks.





Directed by Tate Taylor, The Help boasts a cast including Emma Stone, Bryce Dallas Howard, Mary Steenburgen, Sissy Spacek, Octavia Spencer, and, my favorite, Viola Davis as Aibileen Clark. It's sure to be one of those tear you down and build you up feel good movies - I can tell by the trailer.

[DreamWorks]

 

 

Have you read or plan on reading the help? If not, will I see you at the movies?

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Book Review: Joy for Beginners

Erica Bauermeister is one of those authors who just resonates with me. After reading her The School of Essential Ingredients (read the review here), I knew she would instantly hold the title of my favorite author. This is no small feat, as I find it nearly impossible to narrow down anything or anyone to a favorite.

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Upon finishing that book, I found myself speaking more eloquently, seeking out the beauty in life, and researching cooking classes in NYC. As I actively searched for beautiful writing reminiscent of Bauermeister's in other novels or blogs, I happily embraced the delivery of a little treat from the kind folks over at Putnam Books. Enclosed was an uncorrected proof of her new novel, set to be released June 8th. The whole experience made me feel fancy, and immediately began reading.

I was somewhat wary, knowing that sometimes you can have an incredibly romantic experience with one book, but nowhere near the same magic with an author’s sophomore release. However, I am so happy to report that is not the case with Joy for Beginners. Once again, I found myself marking up the margins with notes, highlighting and dog-earring my favorite passages, and having strong emotional reactions to the characters and their stories.

The book takes you on a journey through a moment in time for seven women, one of which is a cancer survivor. Kate, the survivor, finds herself challenged to take a risk by her daughter, and in return challenges her six best friends. We are then seamlessly brought into the lives of Caroline, Daria, Sara, Hadley, Marion, and Ava. Their challenges (which varied from gardening to tattooing) are both life changing and everlasting; each chapter left me weepy with hopefulness.

The thing I love most about Bauermeister's work is that suddenly a chapter, a character, a moment sneaks up on you. You catch yourself gazing off with thoughts about how the story circles back to your own reality with tears in your eyes and a hand over your heart (honestly, I have caught myself in this pose numerous times reading her writing). You scribble "love!" or "beautiful" across a page and close it briefly. And you smile at the feeling it leaves you with. This is the sort of visceral reaction Joy for Beginners caused me to have.

Incredibly moving, inspirational, and stunning to read, Joy for Beginners is a must-own because you'll simply love it too much to not have it in your possession forever.

"You know," Marion said, "I met a woman once when I was a teenager. I knew she had gone through a lot but she was so strong, so compassionate. I asked her how she could be the way she was, and you know what she told me?"

Hadley shook her head.

"She said, 'You can be broken, or broken open. That choice is yours.'"

Article first published as Book Review:Joy for Beginners by Erica Bauermeister on Blogcritics.

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Saturday with Belle

On Saturday, May 7th, I attended the first ever Rising Affluent Conference with my girl, Larissa. Since the two of us are working on a project (which will be announced at a later date) we decided to take advantage of this day of advancement and achievement. How did we find out? A Belle in Brooklyn, of course.

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Larissa introduced me to Belle (government name: Demetria Lucas) a while ago as a writer and blogger to watch. Bonus? She's a bougie black girl who loves a Louis and some fierce shoes. Of course I was hooked.

I immediately started following Belle on twitter, and going through back entries of her blog. I checked out her features on Essence (which was incredibly tolling as she publishes the hot man of the month) and became a literary groupie. You see, Belle's career - it's exactly what I'd hoped for myself in moving to New York City. My pathway has been a bit bumpy on the way there, but people like her remind people like me that anything is attainable.

So, enter the Rising Affluent Conference. Larissa and I are sitting at a full table of very nice women, networking and such, when a girl comes over and mumbles something I can't hear. I turn to Larissa and raise my eyebrows like what? as her eyes start growing exponentially. "Belle... is ... reading... from ..." she stammers and before she can finish her sentence we've both jumped out our chairs. Suddenly we realize it's rude to leave without saying goodbye to the women at our table so we mumble something about Belle giving a reading upstairs and they all seem to follow suit.

You see, the announcement was slightly premature, and poor Belle had an audience of people watching her as she tried to find a place for the print of her gorgeous book cover. I watch her as she gives the nicest side eye I've ever seen to the camera man, who places the print on a chair, and then smile at the Conference director, who brings in an easel. As someone working in events, I smile too.

She begins shortly after that, introducing herself as Demetria but I can only think of her as Belle. She talks of her inspiration and this is where I melt into a puddle of excitement because it's full of things I can relate to (especially the bit about Waiting to Exhale. Black girls, if you haven't read this, please find it immediately).

An avid Sex & The City fan, she notes she was always waiting for their fierce black girlfriend to pop into the picture with a storyline rivaling everyone else's. She never really could get into Girlfriends the same way and neither could I. As much as I love Toni, Lynn, Maya and Joan; they really can't stand up to our beloved Miranda, Charlotte, Samantha and Carrie. She wanted to bring the voice of that black girlfriend we missed to fruition... so she wrote. Here she is now, with a book deal signed, her first piece (entitled A Belle in Brooklyn, The Go-to Girl for Advice on Living Your Best Single Life) completed, and her second piece in the works. She's an inspiration.

Belle read from a chapter entitled "My Father Called Me a Party Girl". She read the piece from her iPad, which blinked away with every awestruck tweet from the girls in the room, reacting to the piece, or just her presence. When she finished her reading, which spoke of "Black Melrose" (aka DeKalb Avenue in Brooklyn), her party girl past, and blood orange margaritas; I vowed never to let a day go by that I didn't chase my dream and have fun doing it.

I had the opportunity to ask one question: "Hi Belle (oops, I guess I meant Demetria), my name is Maiah Johnson and you're an inspiration!" I stammered. "I'm just wondering how you keep it all balanced? You know, the blog, and your book, and your full time job 'cause you have to pay rent..."

She smiled graciously, "oh, balancing all this? Trust me, the rent is paid."

[via]

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iCovet Fridays: v.1

I started this series on several old blogs. And by several I mean at least 3. I've decided to try and start it again, this time inspired by my girl over at Everyday to Runway.

So, here goes!

Chocolat Restaurant Lounge

I went with my favorites as a little treat for ourselves and fell.in.love. Delicious food, nice and attentive waitstaff, and great design.

The Dude Society

 
I'm actually obsessed with The Dude Society, discovered through a lovely Doctor friend I went to college with. Even though it's an "Online Magazine for Guys" I can't help but get my fix!

My Uncorrected Proof of Erica Bauermeister's (love) new book Joy for Beginners.

Just came in the mail this morning! Thanks Goodreads & Putnam!

Gilt City: New York & Boston

 I'm a little bit obsessed with Gilt City suddenly. I have yet to actually purchase something but I've come super close, including concert tickets to Sade in Boston for my Mom & Dad as a joint mother's day/father's day gift. The response was "Maiah, we are old people. We can't hang on a Wednesday night." ... Valid. Regardless, I'm still stalking Gilt City for the perfect deal!

Let me know what you think of iCovet Fridays! I'll try to keep it up :)

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Book Review: The School of Essential Ingredients

My favorite Borders in New York City is closing (in fact, it may even be closed by now). Upon receiving the saddest email from Borders HQ and the consistent updates about book prices dropping in their liquidation, I had to swing by for one last look.

In slowly perusing the stacks, my eye was drawn to one of the most beautiful book covers I'd laid eyes on in a while. It was one of those awkward moments where I sort of gently grazed the cover with my fingers, trying to actually feel the beauty. The woman next to me gave a cough and a side eye, which I mimicked, and side eyed her until she walked away. Then I picked it up and read:

Once a month on Monday night, eight students gather in Lillian’s restaurant kitchen for a cooking class. They come to learn the art behind Lillian’s dishes, but it soon becomes clear that each one unknowingly seeks a recipe for something beyond the kitchen. One by one, they are transformed by the aromas, flavors, and textures of what they create. Over time, the paths of the students intermingle and intertwine, and the essence of Lillian’s cooking expands beyond the restaurant and into the secret corners of their lives, with results that are often unexpected and always delicious. [via]

Sounded interesting enough. So I signed onto my Goodreads iPhone app and read a few reviews, all of which were glowing and added the book to my embarrassingly large stack (good thing I've been hitting the gym).


The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister is a case in which judging a book by it's cover worked in my favor. This is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read. I found myself swooning and crying at the touching moments she outlines in stunning prose.

The novel is completely dogeared to mark my favorite passages, and entirely beaten up (just how I like my books) because I refused to put it down wherever I went. Each chapter divulged the personal story of a student in the cooking class, and each story left me with watery eyes and the same face of awe and love.

I implore you to purchase this book and read it. I'd offer you my copy to borrow, but I'm too attached to lend it to anyone (sorry, boo).

I leave you with one of my many favorite bits. I'd rather not set the scene for you, as this storyline is so touching it makes me cry to even think about it. But the romance, and the beauty of language is something I just have to share:

"The first time he had kissed her - it had taken six weeks - was over hamburgers, two inches thick, juices running. He had leaned over and licked the grease off her arm without thinking. As he brought his face up to hers, he wondered how it was that the distance between arm and mouth could take such a sweet infinity to travel." [via, page 120]

The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister

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Suburban Girl Reads: Something Blue

After reading A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (which didn't get it's own "Suburban Girl Reads"), I needed a breather. I'm currently recouping with Something Blue by Emily Giffin.

I'm still incredibly surprised how wonderful and quick this series goes by once you crack open the front cover. And I'm still laughing audibly on the N/Q on the way to work.

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Suburban Girl Reads: Paint it Black

Paint it Black by Janet Fitch (Author of one of the most incredible books I've ever read, White Oleander).

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Suburban Girl Reads: Eat Pray Love

I know, I know, I know, I know. Really? JUST reading this now? I know. But I have been totally sucked in by the incredible trailers featuring the lovely Julia Robers so I really can't help myself, now can I? Jeesh.

I tried to read this years ago when I had just graduated college and didn't understand the real life trials and tribulations she was discussing in this piece of literature. Now, with a few more years under my belt, I'm 50 pages in and totally in LOVE with Elizabeth Gilbert. Everything she says is heartbreaking, funny, sad, and eye-opening (oof, big words, huh?). Anyway, I am once again trying to breeze through a book before the movie comes out - seems to be a theme.

Obsessed with this trailer. I'm like a child watching something sparkly every time it comes on the television!

Side note: On the train this morning I looked up to see a woman sitting across from me, wearing a matching coral dress, matching RayBan sunglasses, and reading Eat Pray Love. It was bizarre (and yet, I felt like a member of a secret book club - creep).

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