Journal Entry 1 by AbbyR on Wednesday, March 24, 2004

At my age, I rarely find new "life books," books that I believe are among the best I have ever read. This book went immediately - no need to think - on my list of lifetime favorites. 

Journal Entry 2 by AbbyR on Wednesday, March 24, 2004

"The Secret Life of Bees" was sent on April 1, 2004, to lauraloo29 in Canada on a book ring. 

Journal Entry 3 by lauraloo29 from Edmonton, Alberta Canada on Monday, April 19, 2004

My first bookring book! Arrived today. I'm nearly finished a book (2 days) and then I will begin reading this. Thank you! 

Journal Entry 4 by lauraloo29 from Edmonton, Alberta Canada on Thursday, April 22, 2004

This was a lovely book! I could barely put it down. Original. Thoughtful. I loved the descriptions. On its way to Doris on Monday.

Update May 4, 2009 - Watched the movie based on this book. Excellent. 

Journal Entry 5 by 3D3D on Saturday, May 08, 2004

Received this book yesterday. Thx! Will red ASAP and send out. 

Journal Entry 6 by 3D3D on Tuesday, June 15, 2004

I could not get into this novel. It is a shame as I was looking forward to it. Perhaps it was my frame of mind at the time. Still very descriptive and interesting (for what I read). I was not pulled into the story.

Mailed today to vibrant-art. Sorry about the delay as I moved at the end of May.

 

Journal Entry 7 by vibrant-art on Thursday, June 17, 2004

This arrived today...I think I've already read about 1/8th of it! Interesting so far; some wonderful descriptions (details in characters' interactions, landscape). 

Journal Entry 8 by vibrant-art on Tuesday, June 29, 2004

Thought the book was a good light read...wished T. Ray could have been developed into a more complex character, and thought the middle could have picked up the pace. Sending this on to Merenwen.

 

Journal Entry 9 by Merenwen from Edmonton, Alberta Canada on Wednesday, July 07, 2004

Thanks Vibrant-Art, I now have it. And thanks AbbyR for the ring!

I will see how timely I can get this read. Not an easy feat these daze: my reading time has greatly diminished, but I will start tonight. 

Journal Entry 10 by Merenwen from Edmonton, Alberta Canada on Tuesday, July 20, 2004

It took me less time to read than I thought thanks to a road trip ;) And it took me longer to mail it out than I thought :( Well, a couple of days. But it was mailed out to the next inline today, happy reading EMA375!

I enjoyed reading this book and found myself very interested in the characters and their lives. However, I can't decide whether the writing style itself is clever or rough and...can't seem to find the right word :(

I understand why Vibrant-Art would prefer more character development of T-Ray, but I can see why it's not there. Although Kidd could have worked it in, the story is told by Lily who has a narrow view of who her father is and surrounds herslef with people who have limited knowledge themselves when it comes to T-Ray. All things considered, I don't see it as relevant; on the other hand, a whole novel could be done on T-Ray and be interesting.

I really enjoyed the Bee quotes beginning each chapter and all the bee lore and imagery through out. A perfect backdrop to Lily's story. It's a tragic and yet beautiful story. I wonder if Kidd will ever return to this world she created and do a sequel; it would be interesting to see what happened next ;)

Thanks again AbbyR!

 

Journal Entry 11 by EMA375 from Santa Clarita, California USA on Tuesday, July 27, 2004

7/26: Received yesterday. I'm finishing up another bookring and will start this one. Thanks!

8/10: This was a nice story. I felt it dragged on a bit in the middle but overall I enjoyed this story. I usually read nonfiction so it was a challenge for me to read this novel. Thx! 

Journal Entry 12 by SmilingSun from Westchester, Illinois USA on Friday, August 13, 2004

Just received this and plan to read asap! 

Journal Entry 13 by AnonymousFinder on Friday, September 24, 2004

Received this in the mail yesterday. Can't wait to get started on it!

CAUGHT IN NORMAL IL  

Journal Entry 14 by dmp523 from Normal, Illinois USA on Friday, September 24, 2004

Sorry, I didn't realize I wasn't logged in when I made the previous entry.

Oct 11 Update
Haven't had a chance to record my thoughts until now...I really enjoyed the book. The writing style was very engaging and I was drawn into the story immediately. 

Journal Entry 15 by Saphyre from Hammond, Indiana USA on Monday, October 11, 2004

This arrived safe and sound on Saturday. I will get in read just ASAP. Looks good. Thanks for sharing it AbbyR! 

Journal Entry 16 by geniedances from Houston, Texas USA on Sunday, November 14, 2004

This book arrived yesterday. I've started reading it this evening and will get it fininished and back on its journey this week. 

Journal Entry 17 by geniedances from Houston, Texas USA on Tuesday, November 16, 2004

I've enjoyed this book a lot. Read it in two days.
The time period has a familiar ring as I grew up during the late 1950's and early 60's and questioning many of the same issues Lilly thought about and experienced. Kneeling on the grits as punishment reminds me of a story about my grandmother who grew up on a farm in Louisiana. As punishment, her father made she and her brother kneel on burlap bags of grain for an hour at a time. Very painful!

Info about bee keeping is very interesting. Its a wonderful book and one I will reccommend to others.

Maybe because of the extended family aspect, it reminds me of "Where the Heart Is".

I will be sending this on to the next BCer as soon as I get the mailing address. 

Journal Entry 18 by az628 from Irwin, Pennsylvania USA on Monday, December 06, 2004

I received this book and forgot to journal. I am reading it now and will pass along asap. Thanks for making it available. 

Journal Entry 19 by az628 from Irwin, Pennsylvania USA on Saturday, January 22, 2005

Thanks so much for sharing this great book. Sorry I had it so long. It is on its way to the next BX'r. 

Journal Entry 20 by Sherria from Stamford, Connecticut USA on Tuesday, January 25, 2005

This arrived today. I'm almost finished the book I"m currently reading, so I'll be able to dive into it shortly. Thanks for sharing it! 

Journal Entry 21 by Sherria from Stamford, Connecticut USA on Wednesday, February 02, 2005

Thought I journaled this one when I finished it a couple of days ago...sorry!

I enjoyed this book, but I'm not sure I understand why it got all the acclaim that it did. Don't get me wrong - it was a good book - but a great one? I'm not so sure of that. The relationships between the characters were what I enjoyed the most, and I felt some of those could have been delved into more deeply at some points.

Overall, an enjoyable read and I wouldn't have any trouble recommending it to others. Thanks for sharing it AbbyR!

This went out today via media mail to Lpree. 

Journal Entry 22 by Lpree from Omaha, Nebraska USA on Wednesday, February 16, 2005

This arrived in today's mail. I have a few other bookrings ahead of it, but will read it as soon as I can. Please check my profile to see where I'm at in my reading.

I've heard a lot about this book, so I'm looking forward to reading it! 

Journal Entry 23 by Lpree from Omaha, Nebraska USA on Sunday, February 27, 2005

Well, I picked this book up to start reading this morning and couldn't put it down! I really enjoyed the story and kept wondering what the story behind the Black Madonna Honey and Lily's mother was going to be.

I'm ready to send this on to the next person in line, but can't find a list anywhere - I don't see one included with the book, AbbyR's profile is empty, and it looks like the list in the forums is not in order. Anyone have any ideas? I'm moving in a couple of weeks, so I'd like to get this mailed out before then.

Thanks to AbbyR for starting this ring! 

Journal Entry 24 by AbbyR on Monday, May 01, 2006

This book just came home from a book ring started about two years ago! Amazing! I think I'll have to read it again.