Journal Entry 1 by denny08 from El Paso, Texas USA on Sunday, May 01, 2005

I bought this when it was the # 2 most wanted book at Cliff1976's wishlist page. I have just finished reading it today. It has dropped to # 4 on the wishlists, but I am still going to offer it as a bookray.

I thought it was a great read! I had never even heard of it before joining bookcrossing, so I am very happy to have read it.

Note: The book was lent to a friend (who also loved it) before I read it and there are about half a dozen bite marks on the back cover from her cat. 

Journal Entry 2 by denny08 from El Paso, Texas USA on Tuesday, May 03, 2005

This is now a ray! Went out in the mail today to glade1! The list will be posted shortly! Enjoy the book! Please, PM the person next on the list when you receive the book to shorten travel time.

1. glade1 (McLeansville, North Carolina, USA- prefer US ship) -- READ!
2. carlissa (Miami, Florida, USA- Int'l ship) -- READ!
3. esq228 (Bloomfield, New Jersey, USA- prefer US ship) -- READ!
4. babykittysmama (Redondo Beach, California, USA- US ship) -- READ!
5. algoan (Indianapolis, Indiana, USA- US/Canada ship) -- READ!
6. goyetisa (Canada- prefer Canada ship) -- READ!
7. loveamystery (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada- Int'l ship)
8. Rakuna (Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland- prefer Europe ship)
9. Xanocas (Santiago do cacem, alentejo, Portugal- prefer Europe ship) HAS IT NOW!
10. Navig8r (London, England, United Kingdom- prefer UK ship)
11. ScottishHoosier (Aberdeenshire, Scotland, United Kingdom- UK ship)
12. emilythegoat (Oxford, United Kingdom- Int'l ship)
13. Hellie (South Shields, Tyne & Wear, United Kingdom)
14. honey1982 (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada)
15. JeSuisBelle (Makati, Philippines- prefer Asia ship)
16. RoryG (Finland - prefer Europe ship)


 

Journal Entry 3 by glade1 from McLeansville, North Carolina USA on Monday, May 09, 2005

Received in the mail today. I have a couple of bookring books ahead of it but will try to hurry through them! 

Journal Entry 4 by glade1 from McLeansville, North Carolina USA on Monday, May 16, 2005

What a beautiful book! I just finished it in tears. It has just the right mixture of heartache and hope for me.

My dad kept bees when I was little, so the beekeeping part was nice for me to read too. I always loved to sit in front of a hive and watch the bees coming and going--they never bothered me. I hate to hear folks say they are frightened of bees when they do so much to help us and only sting if very threatened.

I think I'll try to get a copy of this book to keep for myself and look forward to reading Kidd's other books too.

I will PM carlissa for her address and try to get this moving this week.

**Mailed to carlissa on Friday, May 20. 

Journal Entry 5 by carlissa from Miami, Florida USA on Tuesday, May 24, 2005

Today has been a very good day so far:
(1) I received this book! (2) one of my bookrings finished its journey! (3) I received 2 books from the relay! and (4) I bought a book on sale! I'm in book heaven.

I will read this book asap.
 

Journal Entry 6 by carlissa from Miami, Florida USA on Thursday, June 09, 2005

I enjoyed this book very much. My daughter would like to read this book and I would like to have a copy of it to keep, so I will be going to the book store soon! I have PMd esq228 and will mail off this book as soon as I receive address. 

Journal Entry 7 by esq228 from Phoenix, Arizona USA on Saturday, June 18, 2005

Received this yesterday. I have 2 other bookring books ahead of this one, but I will get to this one ASAP. It shouldn't be too long - both of the others look like quick reads And its Saturday & I've got a ton of free time on my hands.
Thanks! 

Journal Entry 8 by esq228 from Phoenix, Arizona USA on Saturday, July 09, 2005

What a fabulous book! I stayed up late way too many nights because I just coldn't detach myself from the story. I was moved to both laughter and tears by the women in this stoary and their relationships. I understand now why it is on so many people's wish lists.

I've PMd babykittysmama and will ship this off as soon as I hear from her. 

Journal Entry 9 by babykittysmama from Redondo Beach, California USA on Thursday, July 21, 2005

Received!! I'm finishing a book now and this one is on the top of Mt. Toobie Read. Thanks for sharing this with us, denny08! 

Journal Entry 10 by algoan from Beech Grove, Indiana USA on Tuesday, August 02, 2005

Received in the mail today (what a surprise, I forgot it was coming!). I just happened to have finished another title yesterday, so I'll get started on this one today. Thanks! 

Journal Entry 11 by algoan from Beech Grove, Indiana USA on Friday, August 05, 2005

What a wonderful book!! My heart was literally aching for Lily and I found myself almost in tears while reading the last few pages of the book. Thank you so much for including me in this bookring - I will be recommending this title to quite a few friends in the future.

I mailed off the book to goyetisa earlier today. Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 12 by goyetisa on Monday, August 15, 2005

hi,

I have just received by mail this novel for the bookring. Will read it soon !!

* * * *
September 3rd

well, getting to the last page will not happen. I have had this book for two complete weeks, and I didn't read more than 5 pages at a time. We didn't click.

I will release the book next Tuesday and mail it forward to loveamystery. 

Journal Entry 13 by loveamystery from Burnaby, British Columbia Canada on Wednesday, September 14, 2005

This book arrived in today's mail. Thank you goyetisa for sending it across country. 

Journal Entry 14 by loveamystery from Burnaby, British Columbia Canada on Friday, September 23, 2005

What a wonderful book. It is so beautifully written. At times it is so sad and at others, so joyful. I highly recommend it. Thank you denny08 for sharing it. 

Journal Entry 15 by loveamystery at on Friday, September 23, 2005

Released 6 yrs ago (9/23/2005 UTC) at

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

This book is now on its way to rakuna in Finland by surface mail. Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 16 by Rakuna from Helsinki, Uusimaa Finland on Sunday, November 06, 2005

I receaved the book already in the begining of the week, but were just too busy to journal it. I'll read this one after the book I'm in the middle at the moment. 

Journal Entry 17 by Xanocas from Estoril, Lisboa (distrito) Portugal on Tuesday, January 03, 2006

Arrived a few days ago.

Thanks. 

Journal Entry 18 by Xanocas from Estoril, Lisboa (distrito) Portugal on Monday, July 10, 2006

Finished reading it a few days ago.

I really enjoyed reading it: I liked the story, the characters... everything! Powerful women, that's what we need! 

Journal Entry 19 by Navig8r from London , Greater London United Kingdom on Sunday, July 30, 2006

The book arrived today. I am currently reading another bookring book, and it is quite hefty, so it might be a week or so before I make a start on this one. Looking forward to it! 

Journal Entry 20 by Navig8r from London , Greater London United Kingdom on Tuesday, August 29, 2006

This was a good read. The author really succeeded in painting a picture: I had such strong visual images throughout the book, and I always enjoy when that is well done.

I thought the plot was fairly predictable, though I did keep expecting something really awful to happen to Zack, so I was almost relieved to get to the end of the book. I loved how the author began each chapter with a little factual snippet about bees too: a very effective foreshadowing technique which I always kept in mind as I read through the chapter. The Daughters of Mary were great too. Isn't it amazing the emotional bonds that women form?

ScottishHoosier asked to be skipped, and I haven't received a reply yet from the person after her on the list, after a week or so. As soon as I do, I will send the book out. 

Journal Entry 21 by Navig8r from London , Greater London United Kingdom on Saturday, September 02, 2006

Posted to emilythegoat today. 

Journal Entry 22 by emilythegoat from Oxford, Oxfordshire United Kingdom on Monday, September 04, 2006

Arrived by post today - thanks Navig8r :) 

Journal Entry 23 by emilythegoat from Oxford, Oxfordshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, September 13, 2006

This was a fantastic book, thanks to Denny for organising the bookray :)

I was also expecting the outcomes of some aspects of the plot to be much worse than they were - very happy that it turned out as it did, I like happy endings! Wonderful characters and descriptions of the places.

I've emailed Hellie for her address. 

Journal Entry 24 by emilythegoat from Oxford, Oxfordshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Hellie has asked to be skipped so I've PMed Honey1982 for her address. 

Journal Entry 25 by emilythegoat from Oxford, Oxfordshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Honey1982 didn't even remember signing up for this so has also asked to be skipped! I've PMed JeSuisBelle. 

Journal Entry 26 by emilythegoat from Oxford, Oxfordshire United Kingdom on Thursday, September 21, 2006

JeSuisBelle is uncontactable so I've now PMed RoryG. Fingers crossed! 

Journal Entry 27 by RoryG from Helsinki, Uusimaa Finland on Tuesday, September 26, 2006

The book arrived today along with my new washing maschine :) I try to get to this one soon, but since there are no one after me, I prioritize the rings/rays that do. Thanks for sharing this! 

Journal Entry 28 by RoryG from Helsinki, Uusimaa Finland on Wednesday, November 22, 2006

I loved this book. Once I finally got to it, it took me like 2 days to finish. And that with work trying to mess up my life... :)

I read some of the earlier comments and Navig8r said that she expected something terrible to happen to Zach. I had the exact same feeling. I loved that the ending was happy. I also read the discussion with the author and was relieved that she doesn't plan to write a sequel. Now I can imagine it the way I like :)

I really loved the idea of having more than one mother. I had a nanny when I was little and I stayed at her place after school up till I was 12. She's like another mother to me. And that makes my life so much better to know there are twice as much love for me, since I have another set of parents.

And the last thing I just need to mention is the anti-racist message of the book. It always appeals to me, since I don't think color matters. Or should matter, I guess is the right way to put it. I know it's not as controversial now as it would've been, say if this book was 40 years ago, but I think it's a message that can't be repeated too much.

Well, thank you so much for sharing this book. I definitely need to get my own copy as well, because I want to keep this one moving :) I'll probably take it to a Helsinki meet-up or maybe to our bookcrossing "little christmas" party. 

Journal Entry 29 by chrisim from Tampere, Pirkanmaa Finland on Saturday, June 16, 2007

I grabbed the book from Finnish Bookcrossing Summer Convention that is held in Tampere this year. Very nice that so many participated - it's lot's of fun to organize these meetings! 

Journal Entry 30 by chrisim from Tampere, Pirkanmaa Finland on Wednesday, June 17, 2009

I have kept this lovely book too long just for myself, sorry! I'll take it with me to the local BC meeting this evening.

I loved this book because it's so beautifully written. I'm almost speechless. The story is sometimes sad and moving to tears and still fullfilled with hope and joy. The women in this story are strong and filled with love. It's easy to adore the sisters, Rosaleen, Lily and her mother. I think this is one of the books everyone should read. 

Journal Entry 31 by Kemppu from Tampere, Pirkanmaa Finland on Wednesday, June 17, 2009

I have read this book before and liked it a lot! Today I took it from the meeting, because nobody else seemed interested about it this time...I've been thinking to read it again, anyway. If I find time for it, that is. 

Journal Entry 32 by Kemppu from Tampere, Pirkanmaa Finland on Tuesday, July 07, 2009

I browsed the book through rather than read it again, since it hasn't been that long since I read it. I'm going to put it in my available shelf and give it forward or release it one of these days. Here's what I thought about the book when I read it, which still applies:
This was a very good story. I liked the athmosphere of it, and the writing style. Lily and the other characters felt real to me. I liked the ending, too - it was happy enough, but didn't solve everything. That's what made it realistic.
I may not be good in analyzing the possible symbolism or "hidden meanings" in books (like what did the bees or Black Madonna statue mean in this book) and usually I don't even find it necessary to do so. I just think that Sue Monk Kidd managed to tell a good story about the simple, universal themes of life: How everyone wants acceptance and love, how people find ways to cope with difficulties etc. And that's what makes an enjoyable read!
 

Journal Entry 33 by Kemppu at Kahvila Hertta in Tampere, Pirkanmaa Finland on Monday, August 10, 2009

Released 2 yrs ago (8/10/2009 UTC) at Kahvila Hertta in Tampere, Pirkanmaa Finland

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

To Cafe Hertta's BookCrossing shelf. 

Journal Entry 34 by erpax on Monday, August 10, 2009

I saw the release alert of this book, and the positive comments and the long journey it had already travelled made me hunting for it. Thanks everyone!

 

Journal Entry 35 by erpax on Thursday, September 17, 2009

Finally finished. :)
Will journal something later.

I was sure that this was on Nadezda's wishlist. Now, after already sending it to her, The Secret Life of Bees doesn't exist anymore there, among the wishes. Well, let's see what Nadezda says. 

Journal Entry 36 by erpax at by mail, a fellow bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, September 17, 2009

Released 2 yrs ago (9/17/2009 UTC) at by mail, a fellow bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Nadezda was the winner and took it all in September book lottery! 

Journal Entry 37 by Nadezda from Vantaa, Uusimaa Finland on Monday, September 21, 2009

Thank you Erpax, book from my wishlist :) 

Journal Entry 38 by Nadezda at Vantaa, Uusimaa Finland on Friday, July 29, 2011

I don't understand what all the fuzz about the book is about. Sure, it was warm and loving book but nothing too special. Well, maybe me being the hardboiled cynic that I am should stick to the Mystery&Thrillers-category ;)

The book is reserved to hippolein. 

Journal Entry 39 by hippolein at Helsinki, Uusimaa Finland on Tuesday, August 09, 2011

The book is now with me, waiting to be read. I've always been wondering why so many people were talking about this book, thought it was time to put it on my wishlist and see - it arrived already ;)
Thanks Nadezda!