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The Secret Life of Bees
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April 2017: Bestsellers > The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd 4 stars

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Jennifer Pope (jenjunum) | 902 comments **This was on the NYT bestseller list for 2 1/2 years!

This is the story of a poor white teenager named Lily who lives with the father who hates her after her mother dies. The story takes place in the south shortly after the Civil Rights Act was passed and brushes over some of the race issues that happened thereafter (voter suppression, institutionalized racism, etc). It wasn't a story about race and it wasn't preachy, I enjoyed how the historical facts were woven in without being the center of the book (kind of similarly to The Help).

I think the only part I didn't like about the book were the bee facts. Maybe the short intro before each chapter on bees was supposed to be related to the chapter that followed, but I never thought about how the two related. Otherwise, the book was excellent. I found Lily's character totally endearing and I was completely invested in her story. I listened to the audiobook and I thought the narrator was also great. I'm not sure how plausible the whole scenario was but I enjoyed the story nonetheless.


message 2: by Amy (new) - rated it 5 stars

Amy | 13032 comments I loved this one too from way back!


Jennifer Pope (jenjunum) | 902 comments Amy wrote: "I loved this one too from way back!"

This is one that has been on my list to read forever and a spotted it on the audiobook shelf and just finally got to it!


message 4: by Joi (new)

Joi (missjoious) | 3970 comments This was required reading in 7th or 8th grade for me- I remember enjoying it but don't remember pretty much anything about it. Definitely need to revisit this one.


Jennifer Pope (jenjunum) | 902 comments Joi wrote: "This was required reading in 7th or 8th grade for me- I remember enjoying it but don't remember pretty much anything about it. Definitely need to revisit this one."

Haha, I guess it could be appropriate for late middle/high school kids. I thought it was perfectly enjoyable for adults too.


message 6: by Amy (new) - rated it 5 stars

Amy | 13032 comments This and invention of wings were her best two books by far. The others somewhat paled. She also wrote a book of essays with her daughter, and later got into Christian writings. We will see what she pulls out next!


Book Concierge (tessabookconcierge) | 8491 comments Loved this book when I read it ...


Jennifer Pope (jenjunum) | 902 comments Yes, invention of wings is also on my list also!


Ladyslott | 1880 comments Agree Amy, this and The Invention of Wings were wonderful.


message 10: by Amy (new) - rated it 5 stars

Amy | 13032 comments Lady Linda secretly allied with me so much more than she knows and would be willing to cop to....


Barbara M (barbara-m) | 2603 comments My intro to Kidd and i loved it!


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