Some More Reading

The Secret Lives of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
The past week I have been fighting off a cold and ended up spending most of this weekend in bed. At times curled up with this wonderful book. This has got to be the most beautiful and moving story I have read in a while. It made me laugh and it made me cry. It is a story of a young girls journey to find what is lost to her, in finding herself and a place where she belongs. It is set in South Carolina in a time of racial tension, and it also has references to Bees and Bee Keeping giving weight to what is happening in the story.

It is well written and easy to read. It is the type of book where I wanted to read on to find out more and at the same time wanting to take my time reading it because I did not want it to end too soon. I stopped myself reading to allow the story and the meaning to sink in and settle over me, and to give me time to think about what I had read.
Perhaps I was touched by this book more so because I was unwell, and though it contained themes and topics that were not of the happy variety, it was comforting, and full of strength, hope and love.

The most moving part is towards the end when the girl is told in a really beautiful way that what she is looking for is within herself, that the strength needed in life is within us.

A great read.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling
A few weeks ago I read this book and I really enjoyed it. I found it a fitting end to the Harry Potter series. To me it seemed to go back to what the first few books were like, not so dark. It was a real easy read and it tied everything up without being 'sickly'. I still have a few questions but the most intriguing one to me is how did Neville get the sword?...perhaps I missed something?!

Overall I have enjoyed reading all the books in this series. I found 'The Goblet of Fire' the most difficult to get through. I would probably like to read them all again but I'm not sure if in reality I will as there are just so many great books out there. I certainly look forward to my children reading them and hope they get as much enjoyment out of them as I did. I believe there are great messages in these books about 'Good & Evil' but also about life.

Comments

[Sharon Manning]

Sorry to hear you haven't been well Ursula, reading in bed all weekend sounds like a great remedy though. I have heard about The Secret Life of Bees before but I will have to track it down now as it sounds like a good read.
Renae has read all the HP books now too and loved them all.
Gemma on the other hand would rather watch the movies!
I do hope you are on the mend and feeling better soon.
Take Care
Sharon
xxx

[Julie H]

Ursula I do hope you are feeling better - and if not, so glad that you made time to read what sounds like a lovely book.

[Megan Pickwell]

You have made me want to revisit "The secret life of bees" I began it some time ago and didn't ever finish. As for Harry Potter - I have a daughter who would agree there for sure!
Mxx

[JUDY WILKENFELD]

Reading -whats that, I hardly have time to breathe. I hope you are feeling better now!!! Hugs to you.