Book Giveaway: 2 Copies of “The Help” to be Won

By now, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve heard of Kathryn Stockett’s book “The Help”, or at least of the recently released movie.

And if you haven’t either read the book or seen the movie yourself, you probably know someone who has.

If you’re not familiar with the story, here’s the blurb as it’s found on the back of the book:

“Three ordinary women are about to take one extraordinary step…

Aibileen is a black maid in 1962 Jackson, Mississippi, raising her seventeenth white child. She’s always taken orders quietly, but lately it leaves her with a bitterness she can no longer bite back. Her friend Minny has certainly never held her tongue, or held on to a job for very long, but now she’s working for a newcomer with secrets that leave her speechless. And white socialite Skeeter has just returned from college with ambition and a degree but, to her mother’s lament, no husband. Normally Skeeter would find solace in Constantine, the beloved maid who raised her, but Constantine has inexplicably disappeared.

Together, these seemingly different women join to work on a project that could forever alter their destinies and the life of a small town – to write, in secret, a tell-all book about what it’s really like to work as a black maid in the white homes of the South. Despite the terrible risks they will have to take, and the sometimes humorous boundaries they will have to cross, these three women unite with one intention: hope for a better day.”

Since it’s release in 2009, “The Help” has been gathering 4- and 5-star reviews on Amazon. (As I write this, the book has over 3500 5-star reviews.)

And while I don’t usually recommend books that I haven’t read myself, I did suggest this one to my Mum when she was looking for some holiday Kindle reading. With so many great reviews, I figured I couldn’t go too far wrong.

Like so many others who’ve read it, Mum loved the book, and we now have a date to see the movie early next week.

And so I’ve had a bit of a dilemma:

Should I read the book of “The Help” first or see the movie?

I took a leap of faith last week and ordered my very own copy of “The Help”, imagining that somewhere I’ll find time to read it.

Since Monday morning, my newly delivered book has been sitting here on my desk taunting me.

Despite my love for books, and being surrounded by them daily, I don’t find nearly as much time as I’d like to these days to read. And when I do read, it’s usually a craft book or a recipe book or something to do with business, self-development or time management (obviously I’m not reading enough of those either!).

Months can go by without me reading a novel. Sad, but true.

In her recent post, Tamara Bostock said that she’d highly recommend reading the book first, then seeing the movie.

But considering that my movie date is on Tuesday, I think I’ve just about run out of time.

Although if I’d spend a bit less time on Twitter and Facebook, and forget the housework for a few hours, maybe I can at least read enough to get to know the characters.

Or maybe I could just completely neglect the housework (not to mention the family!), get totally lost in the story, and read the whole thing by Monday?

I’ll let you know how that goes, but I’m not liking my chances!

While I’ve been pondering my Book First vs Movie First dilemma, I’ve also managed to sneak in another book order and have more copies of “The Help” on their way.

Until now, I haven’t added any novels to the shelves of The Not So Shabby Bookshelf, so this is the first.

As well as having a few copies available there, I have copies to giveaway to two lucky readers of The Inspired Notebook.

To enter for a chance to win one of two copies of “The Help”:

  • Leave a comment on this post either: sharing your thoughts on “The Help” if you’ve already read the book or seen the movie, or telling us about the best book you’ve read this year (either fiction or non-fiction).  1 entry

If you’d like a couple of extra chances to win:

  • Subscribe to The Inspired Notebook and leave a separate comment letting me know when you’ve done that. (If you’re already subscribed, just let me know in the comments that you’d like another chance to enter!)  1 bonus entry
  • Share this post using the Facebook or Twitter buttons below, and/or “Like” The Inspired Notebook on Facebook. Again, make sure you come back and leave separate comments here letting me know that you’ve done this for your extra chance/s to win. Let me know your Twitter or Facebook username in the comment too. Up to 3 bonus entries

Important details:

  • There is no geographic limitation on this giveaway!
  • The maximum entries available per person is 5. Comments not adhering to the above instructions may be removed.
  • The deadline to enter is midnight Monday 26th September Melbourne time.
  • Two winners will be chosen at random from the comments and announced the following day, Tuesday 27th September. Winners will be notified via the contact email provided on their comment form.
  • If winners do not respond within 7 days with their shipping address, another winner will be chosen.
  • A paperback copy of “The Help” will be posted to the winners within 3 days of them having provided a shipping address.

I’ll look forward to announcing the winners here on Tuesday 27th.

For now, I’m switching off the computer and I’ll be settling in to read my book for a while!!

Good luck!

Brigid


This giveaway has been added to Kellie’s Aussie Giveaway Linkup #16. Click on the following link to check out this week’s other great giveaways:

Aussie Giveaway Linky

Hosted by Three Lil Princesses

55 thoughts on “Book Giveaway: 2 Copies of “The Help” to be Won”

  1. I haven’t seen or read The Help but the best book I’ve read this year (so many to choose from) was Joanne Lees – No Turning Back. It’s simply written but gives an easy to follow account of her thoughts & feelings leading up to Peter Falconio’s murder, the investigation (or lack thereof) & the trial. It seemed all the more real as I read it while doing an Alice Springs to Darwin driving holiday.
    I’d love to read The Help 🙂

  5. I hadn’t seen, read or heard to The Help but having read your blog I am intrigued!! I cannot think of the last novel I read, but I have read a few personal development books this year. The best is a toss up between “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill – what a classic inspiring book, and “Straight Talk” by George Zalucki – a man with such amazing insight!

  8. Hi, thanks for the opportunity to win such a great giveaway. The beat book I’ve read this year would have to be a book titled ‘Room’ by Emma Donoghue. It’s a fantastic story; I read it in one day as I couldn’t put it down!

  13. I haven’t read or watched “The Help” but my favourite book that I’ve read this year is “Watership Down” by Richard Adams!

  14. My husband and I saw the movie last week and would highly recommend it.There are some sad and some funny parts. It really makes you think about what went on only a generation or two ago. As time is of the essence for you, I suggest seeing the movie first, so that you are not rushing through the book. I need a book for our holiday next month, so smiles and thanks for the chance.

  21. love the movie i watched last week maked me cry and realized who lucky we are .. love to read the book and win it!

  22. Pingback: Book Giveaway: Win 1 of 2 Copies of “The Help” | Winning Mums

  23. I read the Hunger Games trilogy this year, absolutely amazing books, and looking forward to the movie coming out next year, just hope they do the books justice!

  27. The best book I’ve ever read is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte- I loved it so much that our 4 year old is named after her. Hubby wouldn’t let her middle name be Bronte but he allowed her first name to be Charlotte!

    My copy of ole little Jane is bruised and battered and much loved!

    Thanks for this opportunity xox
    Amanda

  29. Fried Green Tomatoes AT The Whistle Stop Cafe. One of my favourites. Heartfelt and inspirational and The Help sounds like its a book right down my Alley. Have shared and twittered this great giveaway, thanks for a chance.

  30. I’m going to see The Help tonight, so excited to see it, it looks like a great movie. i usually prefer to read the book before the movie, but I haven’t read it yet. I’d love to win it though as the book is always so much better than the movie 🙂

    Edited to add:

    I forgot to say that the last book I read was ”Sing you home” By Jodie Piccoult. I didn’t expect to like this one as much as Jodie’s others…but I loved it and as usual with her boks, was hooked from the first few pages.

  33. I forgot to say that the last book I read was ”Sing you home” By Jodie Piccoult. I didn’t expect to like this one as much as Jodie’s others…but I loved it and as usualwith her boks, was hooked from the first few pages.

  36. Pick me!!! I love your profile picture. Enjoy leaving your housework and finishing the book. I’m the same. Nothing gets done once I get into a good book. XOX Maria

  37. I haven’t read “The Help” yet, but would love to.
    The best book I’ve read this year was “Jane Boleyn : the infamous Lady Rochford”, a non-fiction account of her life, but written in a way that read like a novel. A very interesting way to discover more about a fascinating period of English history.

  41. Hi,
    I’ve read the book, it’s a page turner that you can’t put down! And I saw the movie. Both are amazing. Now isn’t that a good goal to write a book that will get 3500 five stars on Amazon! LOL

  42. I would LOVE to read The Help – so many of my friends and family are raving about it. I tend to avoid good books as I can’t be moderate and stay up very late and neglect my kids and housework til it’s finisheda1q. I would ‘try’ to savour this book and take longer to read it! The best book yet would have to be Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice.

  45. Hi..

    The book really sounds good. I have not read it yet.. but would surely like to read. In this year, I have many books but the one that stands out is – say you are one of them. It is a collection of short stories about life in Africa.

  50. I read the book and loved it, the characters were well written, the storyline was well paced BUT at the end I wanted more, I feel it cut off a bit too abrubtly, Yes I can guess and surmise what happens next and I did love that I was constantlty thinking about the characters and what was happening at that time. But I just felt a little bit left in the lurch. Otherwise I did love it.

  53. Brigid, I haven’t read or seen it, but my wife is OBSESSED with wanting to watch it. And read it. If you think to send one my way, she would be most grateful. 🙂

    1. Sorry you missed it Marya. The winners were Michelle and Natalie B.
      I loved the book too. It’s possibly the first book I’ve ever read AFTER seeing the movie!! Both were great, so if you can round up someone to see the movie with you while it’s still on it’d be well worth it. Pity that hubby won’t go with you, but I can totally relate to that. It’s a good one to see with a friend anyway (or your Mum or mother-in-law as I did!)

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