Madame+Hayes'+Booklist

These are some of the best books that I've read this year:

//The Help// Kathryn Stockett Fiction Summary: This is the story of young affluent writer who decides to write a book about the maids in her community during the segregation era. Why I recommend it: It is a beautifully written story that really makes you think! Stockett gives us a unique glimpse of life in the South during the segregation era from several different voices - each character in the book tells the story from her perspective. My rating: 5/5 stars

//Vixen// Jillian Larkin Fiction Summary: //Vixen// is the story of 3 young girls in the 1920's during the time of prohibition when Flappers were all the rage. This story, like //The Help//, is also told from each girl's perspective. It is the first book in a series of 3 called "The Flappers." Why I recommend it: This book is a fun, fast-paced read. I like period pieces, and this one gives you a taste of life during the 1920's. There is a little bit of everything in it - romance, suspense, scandal, and lots of drama! I really enjoyed the characters and I can't wait until the next book, //Ingenue// comes out later this year. My rating: 4/5 stars

//The Hunger Games// Trilogy Suzanne Collins Fiction Summary: This trilogy is the story of Katniss Everdeen and her quest to save herself and her sister, Prim, from a fictional, futuristic government's dark reminder to society to be obedient and faithful servants. Why I recommend it: This trilogy has become a pop-culture phenomenon. It is a great story that moves fast and furiously (well, except for //Mockingjay//) and really makes you think about what makes up a fair and functional society. There is a lot of action and a dynamic romantic plot. My favorite in the series was //Catching Fire,// but I will warn you that //Mockingjay// made me VERY angry. :) My rating: //The Hunger Games// - 4/5 stars, //Catching Fire// - 5/5 stars, //Mockingjay// - 3/5 stars

//Room// Emma Donoghue Fiction Summary: //Room// is the story of a young mother and her 5-year old son and their captivity and escape from a 1-room "prison." It is told through the voice of 5-year old Jack. Why I recommend it: This was an outstanding book that kept me thinking long after I finished it. I loved that the story is told entirely from Jack's perspective. Jack and Ma have an incredible story that will make you laugh, cry, cringe in horror, and applaud. Once you get used to the voice of Jack, it is a very fast read. Overall, it was one of my absolute favorites of the year. My rating: 5/5 stars

//Juliet// Anne Fortier Fiction Summary: //Juliet// is the story of a young American woman who travels to Italy in search of a family treasure and finds out that she is a descendant of Shakespeare's famous Juliet. Why I recommend it: The "romantic" in me made me choose this as my absolute favorite book of 2010. I LOVED it. It had a very //DaVinci Code-//esque feel. There were lots of plot twists and turns, a great love story, and lots of action and scandal. I loved how it alternated between past and present time. An excellent story! My rating: 5/5 stars