The Secret Life of Bees

Spoiler Alert: Love -- especially found in unlikely places -- is sweeter than honey.

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I started this book as required reading for school. I wasn't expecting much, and bees? What was up with the title? However, by the same author as The Help, I knew I shouldn't have underestimated it. Maybe it got me a while to get going but once I did, I found it hard to stop. What I discovered was a delicate tale woven full of sweetness. The title which had confused me a bit at first, turned out to be a beautiful metaphor for life and loss. The protagonist Lily, was probably the most relatable to boot and I found her perspective refreshing and realistic. Her story, of her finding love and Mother Mary wherever she looked was inspiring. Full of amazing characters and people you can't help but root for this story also took on underlying themes, such as racism, guilt, prejudice, and anger. The characters were admirable and all unique in their own right: There was Rosaleen who loved Lily like a daughter and you couldn't kill her fire no matter how hard you tried;There was August, cool-calm, motherly August who can tell a story like no other; There was June, as skeptical as she is beautiful, but eventually comes around; There was May, who makes you smile and laugh just as often as your heart will break for her; Then there was Zach, strong and determined. he learns that love and education, two things he wants with all is heart, might not be convenient. Many more characters were crucial to this story, but we'd be here all day if I listed them all. Overall this book was beautiful. I can't think of a better word to describe it. It was happy and sad, hopeful and painfully realistic all wrapped up into one and I'm so glad to have met these strong, admirable ladies through the pages of this book.

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Favorite quotes: “People who think death is the scariest thing don’t know a thing about life.," ~~ “I have noticed that if you look carefully at people's eyes the first five seconds they look at you, the truth of their feelings will shine through for just an instant before it flickers away.” ~~ After you get stung, you can't get un-stung no matter how much you whine about it.” ~~ “There is nothing perfect...only life.” ~~ “When it's time to die, go ahead and die, and when it's time to live, live. Don't sort-of-maybe live, but live like you're going all out, like you're not afraid.” ~~ “And when you get down to it, Lily, that is the only purpose grand enough for a human life. Not just to love but to persist in love.” ~~ “Drifting off to sleep, I thought about [it]. 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.” ~~ “I can't think of anything I'd rather have more than somebody lovin' me.”