
The Secret Life of Bees
7 journalers for this copy...

From the Publisher
Living on a peach farm in South Carolina with her harsh, unyielding father, Lily Owens has shaped her entire life around one devastating, blurred memory - the afternoon her mother was killed, when Lily was four. Since then, her only real companion has been the fierce-hearted, and sometimes just fierce, black woman Rosaleen, who acts as her "stand-in mother."
When Rosaleen insults three of the deepest racists in town, Lily knows it's time to spring them both free. They take off in the only direction Lily can think of, toward a town called Tiburon, South Carolina - a name she found on the back of a picture amid the few possessions left by her mother.
There they are taken in by an eccentric trio of black beekeeping sisters named May, June, and August. Lily thinks of them as the calendar sisters and enters their mesmerizing secret world of bees and honey, and of the Black Madonna who presides over this household of strong, wise women. Maternal loss and betrayal, guilt and forgiveness entwine in a story that leads Lily to the single thing her heart longs for most.
Living on a peach farm in South Carolina with her harsh, unyielding father, Lily Owens has shaped her entire life around one devastating, blurred memory - the afternoon her mother was killed, when Lily was four. Since then, her only real companion has been the fierce-hearted, and sometimes just fierce, black woman Rosaleen, who acts as her "stand-in mother."
When Rosaleen insults three of the deepest racists in town, Lily knows it's time to spring them both free. They take off in the only direction Lily can think of, toward a town called Tiburon, South Carolina - a name she found on the back of a picture amid the few possessions left by her mother.
There they are taken in by an eccentric trio of black beekeeping sisters named May, June, and August. Lily thinks of them as the calendar sisters and enters their mesmerizing secret world of bees and honey, and of the Black Madonna who presides over this household of strong, wise women. Maternal loss and betrayal, guilt and forgiveness entwine in a story that leads Lily to the single thing her heart longs for most.

The bookring begins: Sent to Midwinter by mail.
Here's the line up for mailing:
Midwinter AZ
Illinicheme CA
Sleone CA
Rendiru CA
Lshsmom OR
reader1212 WA
arugh48187 MN
Magicwritinggal AR
ALIVE FL
Tuz Brazil
bookmaniac70 Bulgaria
and back to Siriradha CO
Here's the line up for mailing:
Midwinter AZ
Illinicheme CA
Sleone CA
Rendiru CA
Lshsmom OR
reader1212 WA
arugh48187 MN
Magicwritinggal AR
ALIVE FL
Tuz Brazil
bookmaniac70 Bulgaria
and back to Siriradha CO

Journal Entry 3 by siriradha at -- By Hand Or Post, Ray/Ring, Meetup, RABCK in Colorado Springs, Colorado USA on Wednesday, October 1, 2003
Released on Wednesday, October 01, 2003 at Controlled release in Colorado Springs, Colorado USA.
Took flight towards the first bookring recipient
Took flight towards the first bookring recipient

The book arrived a couple of days ago - safe and sound. I've got 100 pages left in a library book, and then I'll start reading this. Won't hold up the ring, I promise!

I read this book in 3 days (rare for me) and would highly recommend it to others. The writing is very smooth and engaging - it's never a struggle to keep reading. The story has a bit of drama, a bit of mystery, a bit of romance, and a wonderful narrator to tie it all together. A lovely tale of life in the 1960's South.
On its way to Illinicheme in California - ETA 3 days.
On its way to Illinicheme in California - ETA 3 days.

Tuz has dropped out of the bookring, so ALIVE will send to bookmaniac70 Bulgaria

Arrived safely in California today. I've got a few rings ahead of this one, but it should be moving again within two weeks. I'll journal again when finished reading.

What a delightful book! I really enjoyed the writing style, and the world that Sue Monk Kidd created - full of fun and quirky characters and heartfult emotions - rang true. As midwinter noted, Lily Owens is a great narrator. I look forward to future novels by this author.
Thank you siriradha for sharing this book! It will be on its way to sleone as soon as I get an address.
Thank you siriradha for sharing this book! It will be on its way to sleone as soon as I get an address.

I received this in the mail and will start reading it Saturday.

I loved this book! So much so that I will be buying a copy as a Christmas present to myself. The characters are wonderful and the humor comes at just the right moments.I could not put it down and read it in two sittings within 24 hours. I will mail this out to Rendiru on Monday.

Received in the mail today. I plan to start it this weekend. I'll journal again once I've read it. It looks like a good book! :-)

This was a wonderful book. It was so easy to become involved in Lily's life and join her in her heartaches and discoveries. One of my favorite quotes (when Lily has reached her safe haven):
"The world will give you that once in a while, a brief time-out; the boxing bell rings and you go to your corner, where somebody dabs mercy on your beat-up life." (p. 82)
Thanks for sharing this, siriradha! I'll get this in the mail this week.
"The world will give you that once in a while, a brief time-out; the boxing bell rings and you go to your corner, where somebody dabs mercy on your beat-up life." (p. 82)
Thanks for sharing this, siriradha! I'll get this in the mail this week.

Received today in the mail. Am in the middle of a library book, but this is on the top of the TBR pile. Will probably travel with me to Juneau for Thanksgiving...
Post Thanksgiving....I did finish this book while in snowy Juneau for Thanksgiving. I really loved it alot.
Will send it onto next bookcrosser, reader1212, this week.
Post Thanksgiving....I did finish this book while in snowy Juneau for Thanksgiving. I really loved it alot.
Will send it onto next bookcrosser, reader1212, this week.

Mailed to reader1212 in Washington yesterday.

I got this book yesterday from the post office-I have several other rings to read in front of it but hope to get to it soon.