Journal Entry 1 by Alainas from New Orleans, Louisiana USA on Tuesday, November 11, 2003

Incredible, marveous! The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd is beautifully written and, in my opinion, a must-read for anyone. My father was a beekeeper, and I found her informational inserts regarding bees and their behavior intriguing. Her characterization is grand, as well as the dialogue. I highly recommend this book - I can see why it remains on the bestseller list. It is a story of love and how far a little girl will go to show this.
 

Journal Entry 2 by Alainas from New Orleans, Louisiana USA on Monday, November 24, 2003

I just sent this wonderful book to my new friend in Indianapolis. Let's hope it has wonderful journeys to other's awaiting this book. 

Journal Entry 3 by irishajo from Indianapolis, Indiana USA on Sunday, November 30, 2003

I received this book in the mail. Thanks so much, I am looking forward to reading it. 

Journal Entry 4 by irishajo from Indianapolis, Indiana USA on Thursday, December 18, 2003

I enjoyed this book. It had an enjoyable storyline and was well-written. The author makes her points about forgiveness, avoiding bitterness, and looking inside ourselves for strength without being preachy.

There wasn’t much I disliked about the book. The quotes before every chapter left me feeling puzzled, because I couldn’t seem to connect them to the story. Also, I never felt completely at ease with the main character, Lily. I was never sure just what she was going to do or why. Other than that, I thought the book was a wonderful journey, with plenty of interesting characters. The writing style was direct and did not distract from the story.

I think my favorite characters were Rosaleen and May. May’s tendency to absorb all the hurts of the world really tugged at my heart. Rosaleen’s defiance combined with tenderness was a wonderful combination.

I would recommend this novel to others. I read it in an evening, quite easily. I love it when I don’t have to force myself to keep reading a book!

I am sending this book to northie as part of an exchange. Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 5 by northie from New Freedom, Pennsylvania USA on Monday, January 05, 2004

I received this book in the mail today. It is on my "to read" pile. :D

Update - I read it and I liked it. I'm a religious person but I thought the religious aspect of it was sort of a bit too much. Other than that though, it kept me interested.

Sending it off to Philomom! 

Journal Entry 6 by philomom from Portland, Oregon USA on Monday, May 03, 2004

This arrived over the wonderful May Day weekend. Thanks for sending this one along to me. 

Journal Entry 7 by philomom from Portland, Oregon USA on Friday, May 07, 2004

Gosh, I didn't like this. I feel bad about it. To make up for my lack of liking it ; I'm passing it on to a fellow bookcrosser who has had it on his wish list a long time. Happy trails, little book! 

Journal Entry 8 by philomom at -- Mail, by hand, rings, RABCks, controlled release, swap, etc in Decatur, Georgia USA on Friday, May 07, 2004

Released on Friday, May 07, 2004 at sent in the mail to a fellow bookcrosser in Decatur, Georgia USA.

Gone to a fellow bookcrosser. Happy travels! 

Journal Entry 9 by gaysocialworker from Chicago, Illinois USA on Thursday, May 27, 2004

Arrived by mail. Thanks. 

Journal Entry 10 by gaysocialworker from Chicago, Illinois USA on Thursday, June 03, 2004

The Secret Life of Bees is a beautiful testimony to the power of family, especially the kind of family that seems to materialize in the most unlikely places. As the story was set in South Carolina, I found myself missing the South, missing the humor, and missing the culture.

Fourteen year old Lilly found that new families emerge from those wounded places down inside people that sought each other out, that bred a new kind of love between them (p. 184). I've often heard that the supposed goal between people of different ethnic backgrounds is to colorblind, oblivious to our differences of experience. Yet the characters in this story were no less than opposite of this so-called ideal. True life companions, as we've seen in the story of Lilly and her African American beekeeping mothers, make peace with their differences of experience and forge a new kind of family that not only embraces diversity but also fills that gaping void left by others. Sometimes you must close your eyes and breathe out and let the puzzle of the human heart be what it is (p. 285). This is a powerful testament to the importance of fellow travelers in life and of finding family in the least likely of places.

I suppose we read such books about the importance of family, families of origin or families of choice, and find our own meaning in the story, colored by our experiences. Thanks to philomom and others who passed this little gem along to me at a time where I could gain the most from it.


 

Journal Entry 11 by gaysocialworker from Chicago, Illinois USA on Thursday, June 03, 2004

Sending to retrogirl1977 in Toronto as RABCK. 

Journal Entry 12 by retrogirl1977 from Oxbow, Saskatchewan Canada on Monday, June 14, 2004

I absolutely loved this book. I read it faster then any other book I've read in my life! When it was over I was sad because I wanted to know what else happened with the characters. I would love the author to write a followup. Thanks so much to gaysocialworker who sent this too me out of the blue just because it was on my wishlist!

28JUN2004: I mailed this to GrammarBroad who accepted it off of CasualReader's book relay site. 

Journal Entry 13 by GrammarBroad from Baton Rouge, Louisiana USA on Tuesday, July 06, 2004

BookRelay arrived today from Retrogirl1977. Taking it with me to The Beach! Thanks.

Journal Entry 14 by AnonymousFinder on Monday, August 16, 2004

haven't read yet.........

CAUGHT IN ORANGE BEACH ALABAMA USA