I don't normally watch "The Soup" on E! but last night I couldn't sleep and ending up flipping through channels and found this. I'm not sure if this is the funniest thing I've ever seen or the cutest but I had to share it because I couldn't stop myself from watching. I hope you enjoy.

Lately I have been all about the reading since I am doing a summer reading program through my library and just as a spur of the moment decision decided to add this to my list of things I can give an opinion on.

Yes, I have always loved reading and have done a number of different programs and been in a few book groups so it's not really a stretch for me to thing that I have a good opinion about books. Especially since I have an opinion about everything, right? :) Either way I hope you like this new addition and I can't wait to share some of the things that I have been reading with you. I also hope to have guess book opinions too. That should be fun.

For our first book review I chose a book that has been all over the airwaves lately. Not because it just came out but because it's being turned into a movie that comes out in a few weeks. That's right I am talking about The Help by Kathryn Stockett.

The Help is a fictional book roughly based on African-American maids in Jackson, Mississippi during the 1960's and what their lives might have been like. Stockett, who grew up in Jackson and had an African-American maid/nanny during this time gives an interesting and entertaining look into the good, bad and just ridiculousness of her three main characters lives.

In the book, Miss Skeeter, upset because of a suggestion from one of her friends decides to write a book about the truth of African-American maids in white homes. Driven by the love that she had for her maid she reaches out to Aibileen the only real maid that she knows and together along with Minny another maid they put together a book that blows a lid off some of the souths best kept secrets.

Each character; Aibileen, Minny, and Miss Skeeter (Eugenia), each get a chance to tell how working on the book affects them as the story is written in the first person. You get not only a look into their working lives but their family lives and the lives of each community. The separation of the 60's is clear but what also is clear is that there was a lot of love and togetherness also. That friendships and bonds can be created across any line, racial or otherwise, during even the most unlike of times and places, namely the civil rights movement and the deep south.

As an African-American woman at first some of the information was hard for me to stomach. An example would be when Aibileen takes about making .95 an hour and only bringing home $172 a month. Of course I knew that for that time that was more or less accurate but just the thought. I was however impressed that she was able to have a home on this salary considering when I found my first real full-time job I was making $14,000 a year and couldn't rent an apartment.

Yet once I moved past my own issues I saw the story for what it is, a reminder that although we may not be the same we aren't exactly all that different either and that we can love each other just as strongly as we can love anyone else. The author quoted one of the lines in the book that

remind us off this point.

"Wasn't that the point of the book? For women to realize, We are just two people. Not that much separates us. Not nearly as much as I'd thought."

I would definitely recommend this book and I do plain to see the movie and I might even take my cheap butt to the theater to see it. Sure I will end up paying more that $.95 but I also don't bring home $172 a month. Glad times have changed but as the saying goes, "those that don't know the history are bound to repeat it". Thanks Kathryn for making sure we remember our history.

If you have been watching the Bachelorette like all us other crazy people then you know that tonight is the night that she decides which bachelor she will spend her life with or at the very least the next six months.

It's come down to two luck fellas; Ben and JP. Both are handsome in their own way and both seem to have fallen for our latest bachelorette Ashley but which will she chose. Having watched the whole season I decided to come up with the top three reasons she should chose each.

Let's start with JP who is a 34 year old construction worker from New York. He seems to have been hurt before but which bachelor this season hadn't and he might be a little gun shy about truly committing even though he has sounded a little possessive of Ashley over the last few weeks. Here are my reasons that Ashley could possibly make a life with JP:

1. He is a really good listener: When everything happened with Bentley JP was the only guy that really sat and listened to her explanation without getting extremely upset. This could prove to be a great quality in the future.
2. He has given some great kisses this season: Chemistry is important in just about any relationship and if that is the case then these two have it is spades. Let's not forget the overnights where Ashley came out wearing just a shirt for bed.
3. He is a manly man: Think about it; a construction worker? That just screams someone that will take charge and make sure his woman is taken care of. That could be both good and bad but either way would probably be fun.

Then there is Ben; a 28 year old, winemaker from California. Ben has been changed and from the sounds of it challenged by the loss of his father and admittedly wasn't as open to falling in love just a little while ago. Still he seems to have gotten over his fears and really opened up to the processes. Here's my thoughts on why Ben could be good for Ashley:

1. He is sensitive I know a lot of people think that a man crying is a sign of weakness but I feel the opposite. After all the years of being told not to do it the fact that they can says that they are strong enough to take the criticism. No one likes a cry baby (Jason M.) but a few tears here and there aren't so bad and Ben has shown that he can get emotional with the best.
2. He makes her laugh: If the way to a man's heart is through his stomach than the way to a woman's heart it through her funnybone. Sure we love the sexy, brooding bad boy but that isn't the guy we settle down with. In the end we all want someone that can make us laugh even when we feel like crying and he has done that for Ashley.
3. He also has a serious side: Sure laughter is great but you don't want a clown. Yet finding some one that has a good balance of both is a hard task but Ashley seems to have found it. Ben hasn't been shy about his feels or sharing his past with her and that is a good thing.

Overall, my opinion is that she should chose Ben over JP. I think JP is a little older for her and at a different point in his life than she is. However, Ben while looking for a serious relationship and ready to propose I think still wants to have some fun.

Having said all that I wouldn't be surprised if she chooses JP considering that the only person that has ever chosen who I thought they should was Jason M. and that was Melissa. To say my enjoyment was short lived wouldn't be an understatement considering that he dumped her not five seconds later on national television.

Sure all the others have also gone boom in epic fashions and some not so epic, except Ali and Roberto and I'm really pulling for them, so I don't really hold out a lot of hope for either guy. Having said that I do also think JP would make an interesting bachelor to watch come next season so maybe I have some selfish reasons for waiting Ashley to pick Ben.

Either way in less than twenty-four hours we will know which it is going to be and how the other will take it (I've heard there will be anger). Be sure to tune in and as always leave those opinions for me.

Ps. Added bonus for Ben is that they are starting to look alike and according to my aunt that makes for a good marriage. I don't get it but do with that what you will :).