Tuesday, February 23, 2010

New Book!

Next on our long list of books to be devoured is Mitch Albom's "Have a Little Faith". I've just picked it up from the library myself and am thoroughly enjoying the first pages of it. I think it is reasonable for all of us to finish it by March 22nd (Since Bekah is vacationing on distant sunny shores I decided to call the shots for our book club! Hope nobody minds). HAPPY READING!!!

Monday, February 22, 2010

What Are we Reading Next?

I just wanted to make sure I didn't miss something. Have we started on a new book yet? If so, what book will we be reading?

Friday, February 5, 2010

My own thoughts...

I liked  this book because yes, it is about love and sisterhood (which truly is a great way to start our book club). One of my favorite parts was at the end when August tells Lily that the only purpose grand enough for a human life is "Not just to love - but to persist in love." That's so true. August was definitely my favorite character in the entire book. She was just so knowledgable, understanding, patient, thoughtful and striving for good. I liked that.

 I also liked the comparisons of the characters lives to bees and honey... interesting and clever.

 It was an interesting book regarding the Civil Rights movement as well. It is fasciniating to our generation that people treated each other with such contempt over a different skin tone and didn't think anything of it. I liked the part in the book where Lily mentions the world would be a better place if we didn't have skin tones at all. It would be nice if people everywhere and all the time could see people for who they are on the inside instead of what they look like on the outside.

However, the whole way through the book I found myself just wanting something to happen. It was all so discouraging and sad. I think it was a little slow. I didn't get into it like I normally do a book and found myself not truly enjoying the story line. I know stories can't always have those fairy-tale endings... but this book just seemed so depressing to me the whole way through...death, abuse, unjust accusations, suicide, abandonment, hurt. I guess it was kind of a story about overcoming now that I think about it. Yet, at the end of the story I found myself thinking, "they will still have so many hardhsips coming."

Also I thought that some of the descriptions were perfectly beautiful, while some of them I just thought, "what's going on here? What has this got to do with anything?" (For example when Lily and Rosaleen bathed in the river.) I really didn't think we needed so many in depth descriptions about their bosoms and thighs ect. I also did not like the swearing. I know it's the characters voice and it helps set a mood for the story and it gives us more of a feel for the character but I thought it was a little too much. She could have written those types of words once or twice in the book and it would have been vivid enough for me. There were a few pages where it seemed it was every sentence or paragraph.

All in all it was good. It's fun to think about and discuss things after reading. It makes a book so much more meaningful. I've realized I have a lot more thoughts about this book than I knew I had.

Happy Reading!

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

The Secret Life of Bees 2

I really liked this book too and loved how it was our first book and it was about sisterhood! Perfect! I'll admit that it did take me a little while to get into it, but once I did I could hardly put it down. There was so much depth to the characters and to the emotions and experiences they were going through, and they felt so real.

I loved the author's writing style. The imagery was great. I can perfectly imagine all the Daughters of Mary with their crazy hats. :) Or all of them lathering the Lady in Chains with honey.

I was so glad too that August let Lily and Rosaleen stay at the end. What a relief! I didn't know what they were going to do. I think I was holding my breath during the part when T. Ray found her at the pink house.

I also loved the relationship between Zach and Lily. I imagine them getting married in the future once things get better between blacks and whites. I think I might have even had a little crush on him myself; sweat dripping down his shirtless chest of oily, dark skin. :)

I'm glad to hear, Hannah, that you enjoyed the movie as well. My mom told me about it but I have been hesitant to see it now that I have read the book. The movies are never as good, but maybe I'll have to give it a try.

I thought quite a bit about my aunt Stacie while reading this book because it is one of her favorites, and because she is a beekeeper! I have seen her hives and I have helped with the honey harvesting process a little bit. We scraped off the outer layer of the combs to release the honey inside. You can't help but lick the extra drops off your fingers. :)

Isn't is so fun to think that we are all reading the same words and stories at the same time even though we may be far apart? I guess that's the whole point, but it really does keep a connection between us and I'm so glad! I can't wait to find out what is next! Love you all!

The Secret Life of Bees--Sue Monk Kid

I feel like this was a great book to start out with.  I loved the story and the character development. If there was one theme that I would pick out from this book would be the need to love and be loved.  I love that August taught Lily how to show love.  Who knew that you could learn how to love by taking care of bees, and who knew that you could come to love bees?

A couple of my favorite parts of the book are:
Playing in the sprinklers, that's where June was finally able to let down her guard with Lily.  (something special happens through recreational activities)
When all the sisters are in the kitchen together dancing, singing, and cooking while getting ready for "Mary Day"

I really grew to love May's character.  I almost cried when she died but I love that in the note she wrote "it's your time to live, don't mess it up"

You know times have really changed since the Civil Rights movement.  We were talking about it the other day at the dinner table and my little sister didn't even know what a negro was.  I can't imagine treating people like that.  Especially, to the point where people have such hate for people who look different than them.  I love the fact that August was willing to let Lily and Rosalee stay, and just loved them.  I hope I can have the chance to help someone like that some day.