New Book Discussion Starts June 6

Who: YOU

What: Join us in a lively and thoughtful time discussing the book, The Hawk and the Dove, with our host-moderator Linda Swanson.

When: Starts Monday, June 6 with a new post each Monday

Where: Here! Get the book at a discount by ordering it through Inklings Bookshop [see sidebar for details].

Why: Reading is always a good thing...Being in community while reading is even better!

Come back on June 6!

The Help: Week 6--Chapters 28-34

This week’s reading brings more truth to the light. Skeeter’s mom has been keeping something from her. Why do you think she didn’t want Skeeter to know she has cancer? Have you ever held back the truth in order to protect someone? Has someone protected you from truth? How do you process that?

Page 410 includes these words: “Did I hear right? I say with my eyes. Your heard right, Louvenia’s say back.” We communicate in so many ways. Across the room a shrug of a shoulder, a quiet smirk, a quick nod can say more than paragraphs of words can say. These chapters reveal secrets—send secrets scattering. The implications and consequences are real. Which ones surprise you, hurt you, challenge you?

I’m finding it hard to say good-bye to some of the women in these pages. Some of them, I admit, I’d rather never see again—but some of them I wish I could know. Who will you take with you from this book? What lessons did they teach you?

Thank you for reading with me. I’ve learned a lot from your comments and observations!

The Help: Week 5--Chapters 21-27

This is a book about stories—the impact telling the truth with our stories. Abilene tells mae Mobley “secret stories” even though she knows she “could get in a lot a trouble telling” them to her. Talking is getting people into a lot of trouble in these chapters—and keeping people from talking is becoming just as important as getting people to talk.

Have you ever shared something with someone you later wished you’d never said? What were the repercussions? Have you ever influenced someone not to say something? How did that work out?

Living authentic, transparent lives is something we are challenged to do—but it does come with consequences. How do you balance truth with safety, honesty with prudence?