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I like the multiple storylines, and I love the very characterised voice of the writing. You get a good sense of Phryne’s character through it.

First book that has ever made me cry.

Very cute, although a bit slow in plot.

I forget how terrifying this book is. It’s a bit slow at first, but it eventually enraptures and speeds up tremendously. So many mysterious storylines that add up to Dracula: A ship with the dead captain tied to the mast. The log details the picking off of his crew. Lucy drawn outside in her sleep, but when Mina starts keeps her inside, something else comes hunting. A psychopath-turned-devoted-fanatic escapes.

It’s so cosy. So innocent. And so gentle. I like this way of writing it’s really nice. And I really like the concept it’s quite interesting.

I’m unconvinced. Jessica learning about the study from one of her clients is kind of expected. I don’t get why she’s so curious about the questions she’s asked, as they seem pretty run of the mill, but she’s treating them like some big philosophical heart-rending thing, I don’t really get it. And I don’t get her enrapturing with Shields. There’s nothing THAT different about her being a woman…

I really feel for Jennette. Her mom was definitely messed up, and that’s messed her up too. She’s forced into an industry and environment that’ll definitely mess someone up, and she’s messed up even more. I just feel so guilty, and so weirdly deceived by what I have hazy memories of watching when I was younger. How weird to have this curtain flung away. I’m glad I know now, I think.

Some lines that are a product of it’s time. “Bossed around by female nurses” is an interesting line.

Definitely fits the “cosy read” prompt. It’s so wholesome and descriptively focused. But that’s not to say that there’s no plot. There’s hints placed even in the first chapter of the bad characters and the significant ones.

Obviously Jennette’s mum has unresolved issues that are being projected onto her children, especially her only daughter. Jennette, being a child, wanted to please her mother. I feel bad. And I’ve gotten up to the part where iCarly comes in. It’s scarier than the guest star spots.

Part Eight was all about Adam Goodes and what he and his moments represent. Quite insightful. There was also mention of Indigenous recognition in the Australian Constitution, which is crazy to think about this being written 5+ years ago and only this year we are finally seeing that become a reality.

Interesting and insightful comparisons between the plight of Aboriginals and those of other countries. However, I’m not sure how I like the comparison of how the Aboriginals were overrun while others still had the chance to guide their fate. I feel like that’s an unfair comparison to make, considering there’s many ordinary people of other countries still dying under the choices of their politicians.

SUCH. GOOD. STORYTELLING. However, how did the TV host “hazard” a guess that it was Jackson? It could’ve been literally anywhere. An obvious plot point so that Jackson started reading the book. Also, Miss Skeeter’s chapters are obviously much longer than Minny or Aibileen’s. Hate that.

It’s so interesting hearing about the universities and Canberra. Tangible places to me. I get, not like excited, but like a certain feeling like “I know this. I know this place and I know what he’s talking about.” Is this what relating truly feels like? Side note, its also moving to hear about Aboriginal men in wars. Truly highlights the racism. Will stick with me for a while.

It’s nice to hear that the Wiradjuri language flourished after almost dying out. And the statistics about Aboriginals and prison systems is quite enlightening indeed.

The story with Stuart is romantic. It’s kinda cute. Skeeter’s mum’s storyline seems to come from nowhere, like when was she hinted at being sick? Maybe the surprise is the point?? Constantine’s story is not as impactful as I thought it might be, but I think it’s because I was expecting it to be worse.

Celia is one of the most compelling characters in the book for me. SO MUCH GROWTH. I actually really hope for the best for her and Johnny, they seem like a really good couple. And Aibileen and Minny of course. Hilly can go die in a ditch. Skeeter’s alright, but she doesn’t move me as much.

I know this probably isn’t the right thing to be taking away from this book, but sometimes I just hate white people. White girls specifically. So much drama and judgement and power-mongering. Hypocritical and kind of dumb. The white girls in this book kind of kill me. Thee most interesting things in their lives is their husband or their clubs. Pissed off rn.

Okay, Celia was getting on my nerves and being weird. But after what I just read, I can’t help but feel sorry for her. She’s just trying. She’s trying her hardest. Things are just not going right for her, and what she’s going through is terrifying, scary, and isolating. I can’t believe I feel this sad for a character.

I kinda hate Skeeter. And it’s seeming like she’s the main character, rather than it being a trio of main characters. Aibileen and Minny are not given as many chapters as Skeeter. I saw something like white saviour being tossed around, and it could be right. But despite this, this book is SO engaging. I LOVE THE WAY ITS WRITTEN.

Ms Hilly is getting on my damn nerves. So is Miss Skeeter, bothering Aibileen. I feel so bad for Aibileen. I hope something good finally goes for her. Ms Hilly has no good logic in her brain. I actually hate her. She’s scared of “diseases” yet doesn’t take care of Mae herself. She scared yet she hired a black maid to do cleaning and cooking. I hate her so much

Lots of thoughts…hard to express. Or at least can’t be bothered to right now

I’m thinking about how this reality of being Aboriginal has translated thus far in other books and works I’ve experienced. None of them paint the struggle so clearly as in this book, boiling it down based on a range of experiences to make clear that racism caused many disadvantages to the Aboriginal people. Hmmm

Love this, love the characters, love the feeling of a progressing plot. I kinda i also love reading this because it makes me feel productive in a really weird sense.

Immediately transported to an openly racist time. Despite whatever dramatisation, I still feel so unhappy about what “coloured” people went through during this time, when people made you feel unwanted or like your presence was something wrong. Not comparing myself at all to their more painful experience, but it’s reminding me when I felt like that. This book already making me feel.