The Secret Life of Bees*
15 journalers for this copy...
I loved this book from the beginning to the end! The characters are well developed, the story is fresh, and the descriptions are vivid. I fell in love with Rosaleen, the sassy but loving substitute mother to Lily. I learned more about bees and honey than I ever thought I'd be interested in knowing. I could almost smell, taste and feel through this wonderful little novel. Such a joy to read!
Controlled release to tireddebb. Mailed Nov. 22nd. Enjoy!
Just rec'd this from dittybopper as part of a trade. I loved this book and traded to give this to my daughter at Christmas...She'll love it and I'm sure will leave comments after she reads it!
Journal Entry 4 by tireddebb at please use CONTROLLED RELEASE country in Groton, Connecticut USA on Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Released 18 yrs ago (11/30/2005 UTC) at please use CONTROLLED RELEASE country in Groton, Connecticut USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
This is going to Books-is-good, my daughter...btw...thanks again dittybopper!
This is going to Books-is-good, my daughter...btw...thanks again dittybopper!
Rec'd this for Christmas, from a bookcrosser, who traded with another bookcrosser for this present.
Sorry I didn't journal earlier. I plan to begin reading this soon. Thank you!
Sorry I didn't journal earlier. I plan to begin reading this soon. Thank you!
Released 17 yrs ago (8/14/2006 UTC) at
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
This was wonderfully sent by dittybopper but has sat on my daughter's bookshelf for too long (and with little chance for a change in that position) so I searched Cliff's and found it on mustytomes' wishlist. Happy RABCK, Happy Summer
This was wonderfully sent by dittybopper but has sat on my daughter's bookshelf for too long (and with little chance for a change in that position) so I searched Cliff's and found it on mustytomes' wishlist. Happy RABCK, Happy Summer
A surprise RABCK from tireddeb - Thank you! :)
Although it took me nearly a year to get to reading this book, I have to say it's probably the best fiction I've read so far this year.
Interesting things to read alongside this book: Jay Hosler's Clan Apis, Ean Begg's Cult of the Black Virgin, and just about anything about the cult of Artemis or the cult of Diana at Ephesus.
Interesting things to read alongside this book: Jay Hosler's Clan Apis, Ean Begg's Cult of the Black Virgin, and just about anything about the cult of Artemis or the cult of Diana at Ephesus.
Sent to briansbaby as a ray-it-forward.
Received as a Ray-it-Forward book from mustytomes! I look forward to reading this one and passing it along. It might take me a few weeks to get to it, but I'll get it moving again soon!
LOVED this book! Such a well written and creative story. The descriptions were just amazing, just as the first journaler pointed out. You really can almost taste, smell, and feel, espescially with the honey. I love honey too, so maybe that's one little extra bonus for me. I wanted to include a couple of quotesfrom sections that really got me:
p.113-114: "'as long as people have been on this earth, the moon has been a mystery to us. Think about it. She is strong enough to pull the oceans, and when she dies away, she always comes back again. My mama used to tell me that Our Lady lived on the moon and that I should dance when her face was bright and hibernate when it was dark'
August stared at the sky a long moment and then, turningtoward the house, said, 'Now it won't ever be the same, not after they've landed up there and walked around on her. She'll be just one more big science project.'"
-I think one reason that this quote stuck out to me is because I just finished reading C.S. Lewis's Space Trilogy, and was left with a feel of wonder, and then of sadness that no one could really write like that anymore, because we know so much about the moon and planets now. The myth and mystery is gone. It's kind of sad.
p. 147 ""The whole problem with people is -[not that they doen't know what matters and what doesn't, but that] they KNOW what matters but they don't choose it... the hardest thing on earth is choosing what matters."
-this I just thought was a good and thought provoking point
Basically, I enjoyed this book more than any other piece of contemporary fiction that I have ever read. :) Great book, and I am looking forward to moving it along. I'm bringing it to a bookcrossing meeting soon, and if no one there wants it I'll find someone on the forums to ray-it-forward to.
p.113-114: "'as long as people have been on this earth, the moon has been a mystery to us. Think about it. She is strong enough to pull the oceans, and when she dies away, she always comes back again. My mama used to tell me that Our Lady lived on the moon and that I should dance when her face was bright and hibernate when it was dark'
August stared at the sky a long moment and then, turningtoward the house, said, 'Now it won't ever be the same, not after they've landed up there and walked around on her. She'll be just one more big science project.'"
-I think one reason that this quote stuck out to me is because I just finished reading C.S. Lewis's Space Trilogy, and was left with a feel of wonder, and then of sadness that no one could really write like that anymore, because we know so much about the moon and planets now. The myth and mystery is gone. It's kind of sad.
p. 147 ""The whole problem with people is -[not that they doen't know what matters and what doesn't, but that] they KNOW what matters but they don't choose it... the hardest thing on earth is choosing what matters."
-this I just thought was a good and thought provoking point
Basically, I enjoyed this book more than any other piece of contemporary fiction that I have ever read. :) Great book, and I am looking forward to moving it along. I'm bringing it to a bookcrossing meeting soon, and if no one there wants it I'll find someone on the forums to ray-it-forward to.
Sent this book to Plum-crazy on Saturday (2 days ago). I think this will be my last international RABCK, at least for a long while. $8 for mailing a paperback is a bit extreme!! I'm glad I could send it off to Plum-crazy though. :) I hope it has lots of great travels in the future as well.
Journal Entry 14 by 
Plum-crazy
from Brighouse, West Yorkshire United Kingdom on Friday, June 1, 2007
Plum-crazy from Brighouse, West Yorkshire United Kingdom on Friday, June 1, 2007
Received this today from briansbaby. I'm looking forward to reading it, as it was recommended to me by istop4books as part of my "broaden my literary horizons" personal challenge.
I will try to read it in the next 2 or 3 weeks & then will ray-it-forward.
I will try to read it in the next 2 or 3 weeks & then will ray-it-forward.
Journal Entry 15 by Plum-crazy from Brighouse, West Yorkshire United Kingdom on Sunday, June 10, 2007
Plum-crazy from Brighouse, West Yorkshire United Kingdom on Sunday, June 10, 2007
What a lovely book! I knew by the end of the first page that I was going to love it.
Like briansbaby one or two parts of the book got to me, in particular, the end of chapter 13, which brought tears to my eyes...
"I looked down at the picture, then closed my eyes. I figured that May must've made it to heaven & explained to my mother about the sign I wanted. The one that would let me know I was loved."
...it might not sound much out of context but I thought it a beautiful end to an emotional chapter.
Thank you so much to istop4books for recommending that I read this book & to briansbaby for raying-it-forward to me. I'm not having much luck drumming up interest in the forum for someone to forward it to so am currently PMing those who have it on Cliffs Wish List...it will move along at somepoint as it deserves to be shared.
Like briansbaby one or two parts of the book got to me, in particular, the end of chapter 13, which brought tears to my eyes...
...it might not sound much out of context but I thought it a beautiful end to an emotional chapter.
Thank you so much to istop4books for recommending that I read this book & to briansbaby for raying-it-forward to me. I'm not having much luck drumming up interest in the forum for someone to forward it to so am currently PMing those who have it on Cliffs Wish List...it will move along at somepoint as it deserves to be shared.
Journal Entry 16 by Plum-crazy from Brighouse, West Yorkshire United Kingdom on Sunday, June 10, 2007
Plum-crazy from Brighouse, West Yorkshire United Kingdom on Sunday, June 10, 2007
And we have 2 takers! This is going to iliotropio in Belgium,who has then agreed to send it onto followdream. It will be posted out towards the end of the week...hope you enjoy it is as much as I did.
Journal Entry 17 by iliotropio from Bruxelles / Brussel, Bruxelles / Brussel Belgium on Monday, June 18, 2007
I found the book waiting for me last Friday, when I got back from work.
Thank you Plum-crazy!
Thank you Plum-crazy!
Journal Entry 18 by iliotropio from Bruxelles / Brussel, Bruxelles / Brussel Belgium on Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Heart warming and thought provoking, a book that will stay with me for a long time.
On its way to followdream...
On its way to followdream...
Got it today in my mailbox, thank you. There are two more books, also from a bookring and the library I need to read/finish first, but I will catch up with this one as soon as possible. I''m excited to read it.
This is one of the best books I've ever read. I feel the same some of you described above. I love the characters, Lilly, Rosaleen, August, June and May and Zach. I love the descriptions of the bees and what their way of life has to tell us humans. I love how close and sensual nature with its scents and colors is presented. There's a deep wisdom, a wonderful spirituality, a warm humanity and understanding in these mothers, sisters, friends and their relationships. For certain a book to read again and again.
I'm gonna add another remarkable quote:
"... How nobody is perfect. How you just have to close your eyes and breathe out and let the puzzle of the human heart be what it is."
Now I've just discovered I'm the last one so far in this book ray. I'm very tempted to keep it. But how could I?! I want to send it on, so it can continue its journey and fill more hearts with joy and comfort.
Let's see if I can find a few in the forum who would like to read it ...
I'm gonna add another remarkable quote:
"... How nobody is perfect. How you just have to close your eyes and breathe out and let the puzzle of the human heart be what it is."
Now I've just discovered I'm the last one so far in this book ray. I'm very tempted to keep it. But how could I?! I want to send it on, so it can continue its journey and fill more hearts with joy and comfort.
Let's see if I can find a few in the forum who would like to read it ...
Okay, here's the list of the continued bookray/ring:
JennyC1230/ USA - ships USA
Meexia / Singapore - ships neighbourhood
BellaMack / Australia - ships Aus
FreePages/ Australia - ships Aus
Linda / Australia - ships Aus
nikkilovesbooks /Australia- ships int.
Sherlockfan / New Zealand- ships int.
rudifun23/ UK/ ships anywhere
wickedlazy/ UK / ships int.
Maria Nunez / Portugal / ships int.
ana-b / Netherlands / ships int
... and after a long journey another stop to relax with me, this time Switzerland
JennyC1230/ USA - ships USA
Meexia / Singapore - ships neighbourhood
BellaMack / Australia - ships Aus
FreePages/ Australia - ships Aus
Linda / Australia - ships Aus
nikkilovesbooks /Australia- ships int.
Sherlockfan / New Zealand- ships int.
rudifun23/ UK/ ships anywhere
wickedlazy/ UK / ships int.
Maria Nunez / Portugal / ships int.
ana-b / Netherlands / ships int
... and after a long journey another stop to relax with me, this time Switzerland
The bee and mother - daughter friends story is travelling again!
I sent it today to JennyC1230. I'm excited. May it be a great new adventure and a safe travel for this wonderful book!
I sent it today to JennyC1230. I'm excited. May it be a great new adventure and a safe travel for this wonderful book!
Thanks followdream! I got the book today in the mail. This is my first Bookring/Ray book that I have received. :-) I already started to read it (while waiting in the "car rider" line at my daughter's school). I can tell it will be really good. When I finish I will mail back to you, probably by the end of this week. Definately before you move! P.S. Thank you for the postcard!
This was such a good book! I loved it! I grew up in the the South, so it seemed like I was reading a friend's diary or something. The characters were so real, I think I will remember this book for a long time. It was so good. Thank you all for sharing it with me!
What a fantastic book for my first Bookray!! :-)
I mailed it back to followdream on Sept. 6th.
Happy travels little book!
What a fantastic book for my first Bookray!! :-)
I mailed it back to followdream on Sept. 6th.
Happy travels little book!
It's back here for a short stop before it's travel will continue across the ocean to meexia.
Thank you Jenny for reading, commenting and sending it on so quickly - and for the cute postcard :-)
Thank you Jenny for reading, commenting and sending it on so quickly - and for the cute postcard :-)
sent to meexia, Singapore - happy traveling little book!
Got this on the mail today, at the same time with one other book! My first Bookring/ray ever. Anyway, I love the cover! Will probably spend my weekend snuggling with this sweet-looking book ;)
Thanks for the postcard followdream! I always love postcards :D
Thanks for the postcard followdream! I always love postcards :D
It’s a sweet short book. Like strawberry short cake. Like eating fairy floss alone in the middle of beautiful park. There’s just the right balance of sadness and happiness. Sure there were moments a bit too corny for me, but the main character is 14 years old girl, what do you expect ;). I admit though there were many moments too that brought me to the verge of tears. It was both funny and melancholy book I’d say :).
My complete review here
I finished this book a while ago, but had hiccups in finding the next person to send it to. Apparently the next 4 persons after me wished to be skipped! BellaMack and L1nda have acquired the book from somewhere else, Freepages is in hospital, and nikkilovesbooks is on holiday until November. So I'll send this book to Sherlockfan in NZ. Sherlockfan, you can ask Freepages and nikkilovesbooks after you're done if they still want to read it. I'm sending the book tomorrow. Enjoy!
ps: I found a copy of the book in a secondhand bookshop yesterday. I bought it and will wild release it locally later. Sweet book! :)
My complete review here
I finished this book a while ago, but had hiccups in finding the next person to send it to. Apparently the next 4 persons after me wished to be skipped! BellaMack and L1nda have acquired the book from somewhere else, Freepages is in hospital, and nikkilovesbooks is on holiday until November. So I'll send this book to Sherlockfan in NZ. Sherlockfan, you can ask Freepages and nikkilovesbooks after you're done if they still want to read it. I'm sending the book tomorrow. Enjoy!
ps: I found a copy of the book in a secondhand bookshop yesterday. I bought it and will wild release it locally later. Sweet book! :)
Journal Entry 29 by Sherlockfan from Upper Hutt, Wellington Province New Zealand on Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Lost my initial extensive JE when I took time out to read Meexia's review. The book arrived in Wellington NZ sometime this week. We are in the process of changing houses so not checking our mail box every day and can't say exactly which day it arrived. No matter. Important thing is that it is here now.
Thanks very much Meexia - I loved your review. I really like getting books that have a long history of comments and one which has travelled extensively. I'll see if I can track down some of the people who didn't want it. Not sure how soon I'll finish it. We purchase a new home on Friday and after getting some essential carpet laid in the main bedroom the household that has been in storage since June unloaded on Tuesday. Sure I'll be so exhausted after that that I'll need to rest up with a good book so thanks for this one's arrival.
Thanks very much Meexia - I loved your review. I really like getting books that have a long history of comments and one which has travelled extensively. I'll see if I can track down some of the people who didn't want it. Not sure how soon I'll finish it. We purchase a new home on Friday and after getting some essential carpet laid in the main bedroom the household that has been in storage since June unloaded on Tuesday. Sure I'll be so exhausted after that that I'll need to rest up with a good book so thanks for this one's arrival.
Journal Entry 30 by Sherlockfan from Upper Hutt, Wellington Province New Zealand on Friday, December 7, 2007
Thoroughly enjoyed this book; read it for light relief during house moving and was very glad to have something so interesting to help through the stress. It was a great story with lots of meaning and I've been recommending it to non-BC friends.
There is some difficulty in passing it on as people seem to be getting copies during their waiting period. I tried nikkilovesbooks to see if she was back from holiday. She is and has read it while away. That leaves freepages who indicates that she prefers to post within Australia but there are no more Australians waiting for the book. I have sent her a pmail to see if she would be willing, just this once, to forward it to rudifun23 in Hampshire when she has read it. If not I will send it on to Hampshire myself and have taken the precaution of asking rudifun23 for her address. This time of year books get rather clogged up in the Christmas postings so I'm not sure how it will progress.
There is some difficulty in passing it on as people seem to be getting copies during their waiting period. I tried nikkilovesbooks to see if she was back from holiday. She is and has read it while away. That leaves freepages who indicates that she prefers to post within Australia but there are no more Australians waiting for the book. I have sent her a pmail to see if she would be willing, just this once, to forward it to rudifun23 in Hampshire when she has read it. If not I will send it on to Hampshire myself and have taken the precaution of asking rudifun23 for her address. This time of year books get rather clogged up in the Christmas postings so I'm not sure how it will progress.
Journal Entry 31 by Sherlockfan from Upper Hutt, Wellington Province New Zealand on Friday, December 7, 2007
Finally have success. FreePages is snowed under with books TBR and wants to be skipped. Luckily I had an address for Rudifun23 on hand so it will be off to her at the beginning of the week. Likely to be slowed down by Christmas mail but at least it will be on the way.
Journal Entry 32 by Rudifun23 from Southampton, Hampshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Am pregnant and feeling oversensitive and have decided to avoid all books with sad children in so have given up on this one. Will read it again one day when I'm more rational LOL. Thanks for including me.
Have pm'd Wicked Lazy for address.
Have pm'd Wicked Lazy for address.
Safely recieved, thanks. I think this is the most well-travelled book I've ever had :)
Wonderful, lovely book, great story.
I've sent another PM to Maria-Nunes, but according to her bookshelf page she is away till 12th May. Hopefully this book will get going again soon.
Journal Entry 36 by 
Maria-Nunes
from Lisboa - City, Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Friday, May 23, 2008
Maria-Nunes from Lisboa - City, Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Friday, May 23, 2008
I've just received this book.
Thank you very much for sharing.
I hope I will be able to start reading it just after my arrival of this mini-holidays I'm about to take - I'll be back again on June 2nd.
Thank you very much for sharing.
I hope I will be able to start reading it just after my arrival of this mini-holidays I'm about to take - I'll be back again on June 2nd.
Journal Entry 37 by Maria-Nunes from Lisboa - City, Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Maria-Nunes from Lisboa - City, Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Wednesday, June 25, 2008
what a great book !!
I loved reading it. What a great book!
I was really "envolved" with the characters like they were real persons - they seem so real... Like it was said before, you really can almost taste, smell, and feel, especially with the honey.
I'm almost finishing reading the book, so I 've PMed the next person on the list.
Thank You so much for sharing!!!
I'm sorry I didn't succeed on not keeping it for more than one month...
I loved reading it. What a great book!
I was really "envolved" with the characters like they were real persons - they seem so real... Like it was said before, you really can almost taste, smell, and feel, especially with the honey.
I'm almost finishing reading the book, so I 've PMed the next person on the list.
Thank You so much for sharing!!!
I'm sorry I didn't succeed on not keeping it for more than one month...
Journal Entry 38 by Maria-Nunes from Lisboa - City, Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Maria-Nunes from Lisboa - City, Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Wednesday, June 25, 2008
it's on its way to Holland :-)
The book has arrived.
Lovely story. I enjoyed the book very much.
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
On its way to Switzerland by mail.
On its way to Switzerland by mail.
After a long journey this wonderful story arrived home safely.
I look forward to reading it again.
Thanks everyone who participated in the ray, commented and sent it on.
I look forward to reading it again.
Thanks everyone who participated in the ray, commented and sent it on.
