A co-worker informed me of this book a while back - OK it was really three months ago (a while back sounded more interesting) and I immediately downloaded the book to my NookColor app on my iPad but ignored it. It was one of those I'll read it when I get to it things. I had a semi list of books I wanted to read roaming around in my gulliver already. Not a set list, but one of those lists that keeps growing and instead of doing the oldest things first, you do the newest item on your list first and then the next thing you know - well you know.
I was reminded again from my co-worker, rather asked by my co-worker if I had begun The Kitchen House. My answer was of course, no. I was asked again a week later, but in between all of this I find my eyes constantly looking at the cover on my Nook while I select the book I was actually reading.
I had read three books before - rather 2.5 books before beginning TKH. One being The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and NO, I am not a fan at all. I put that book down three times and finally gave up. It did not hold my interest all. When Katniss is at training (which I where I left her) just had me falling asleep. I think too much time was spent there - but I digress. However, I am eagerly waiting for the movie, believe it or not. The next book I began reading was The Box: Uncanny Stories by Richard Matheson. This book is a collection of short stories. Right up my alley in case I get bored, I can still struggle through because I know it will end in three or so pages instead of 200 pages. The first story Button Button was made into a movie which I found quite odd because there weren't that many pages to the story - yet, I really enjoyed the story. Upon finishing that, I went back to The Hunger Games - still no luck on getting through it. I started reading Suicide Notes by Michael Thomas Ford. I absolutely loved this book. After I finished it, I went back to THG and still without luck and trust me I tried my hardest - more like damnedest to like the book. OK. Got asked again about TKH by my co-worker and this time I actually opened the book up and OMG! am I glad I did.
Not since The Help have I read a book that enthralled me to the point that I did not want to put it down. My 15 minutes breaks and hour lunches were spent reading this book. My waking moment, when not reading, was spent thinking about the characters and their situations and wondering what's coming next. I was so immersed into this book that I began talking to my co-worker about the characters like they were real people. I would walk past her and say, Lavinia's marrying Marshall. I would do this a few times. Sometimes I would just speak over my cubicle about someone in the book and we would hold a conversation like the people we were are speaking of were alive in 2011, when in actuality, they are people from 1791 who lived and worked on plantation in Virginia.
The Kitchen House is set during slavery where the cast of character from Lavinia (a seven year old indentured servant) to Mama Mae (a slave on the plantation) begin to intertwine with each other and help each other through the struggles of every day living to the tragedies that is a slave's life.
Tonight, I had the honor of speaking with the author, Kathleen Grissom. The interview was approximately an hour and then we had a nice off the record conversation. Not only did I speak with a fascinating writer, but in the process, I do believe I have gained a friend.
Part II of this blog will include my synopsis of the book. Part III will the transcript of my interview with the author. I must forwarn that the interview may contain spoilers from the book. I say 'may' because I going to figure out way to write the transcript and leave some names out - actually, its more of way for me to wet your whistle and wanting more - which will get you to purchase the book. But I will be causing that affect on you in part II of my blog, if I haven't done so already, which will take place tomorrow.
In the meantime, I must go watch and blog Young and Restless. You can find my blog of yesterday's episode by clicking on the following link:
Until Next Time:
“He that loves a book will never want a faithful friend, a wholesome counselor, a cheerful companion, an effectual comforter. By study, by reading, by thinking, one may innocently divert and pleasantly entertain himself, as in all weathers, as in all fortunes.” Barrow
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