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The Secret Life of Bees is a phenomenal story about finding love and a family in unexpected places. Sue Monk Kidd is my idol. I aspire to write on her level someday.
Here’s my annotated version of the Barnes and Noble overview:
“Lily Owens’ life has been shaped around the blurred memory of the afternoon her mother was killed. When Lily’s fierce-hearted “stand-in mother,” Rosaleen, insults three of the town’s fiercest racists (in 1964 South Carolina), Lily decides they should both escape to Tiburon—a town that holds the secret to her mother’s past. There they are taken in by an eccentric trio of black beekeeping sisters who introduce Lily to a mesmerizing world of bees, honey, and the Black Madonna who presides over their household.”
I was entranced by the writing.
I fell in love with every single character so much so that I wanted to know what happened to them after the book ended. As if I didn’t quite believe they lived only inside the pages of this novel.
Though this is a character driven novel, the plot is strong and kept me wondering what would happen next.
Here are some of my favorite lines from the book…
“But you can’t talk yourself out of anger. Either you are angry or you’re not.”
“Sometimes things of magnitude settle over you with excruciating slowness.”
If I had to describe this book in one word?
Life-changing.
Tuesday has become my movie day with Lindsay. We love it.
Today we decided to check out Soul Surfer. It looked like one of those overcoming-all-odds-makes-you-grateful-for-all-you-have kind of movies.
We were not disappointed. What a soul-moving tale of triumph over mega difficult odds. Of gaining perspective. And how love can help you overcome anything.
Helen Hunt and Dennis Quaid were at their best as hippie parents who passionately supported their daughter’s surfing dreams before and after the horrific shark attack. I felt like I was watching a real family and totally slipped into the film.
AnnaSophia Robb did a terrific job embodying all the emotions Bethany had to experience. Wow. She’s definitely one to watch.
Kevin Sorbo gives a great performance as the family friend whose quick thinking saves Bethany’s life.
The fact that this is a true story is heartbreaking. But then you see how much spirit and courage Bethany had and you realize how much is possible in life.
A definite must see this spring. If you’d like to learn more about Bethany’s true story and the movie check out: http://www.soulsurferthemovie.com/page/true-story.html
I’ve been doing so much thinking lately. And despite all the job turmoil and uncertainty about my future, I feel tremendously grounded. Why? I’ve got amazing pillars supporting my world.
My parents love me more than I can begin to understand. They are always there to comfort, to console, and to celebrate.
One of my oldest friends and I finally got together and smoothed things out tonight. I’ve had that connection since I was 11 years old. For many years, he was my rock. As often happens in life, we had a falling out. But tonight, we just talked and enjoyed each other’s company. We spent quality time together. And I realized all the hurt feelings, all the sadness–they were a colossal waste of time. Because the pure joy of sitting with him, seeing him right there in front of me. Laughing together. Shit that is what makes my life meaningful. I am so very happy my heart could burst. We are finally back. I don’t know if he realized how much strength I drew from him or how much it bothered me. I think the passionate fights show how much we truly care for each other. But I’m going to work to control my temper or at least not be so stubborn.
Then there’s B, who has been by my side since college. Sometimes it feels like us vs. the world. He gets my travel anxiety. I get his work stress. We can make each other laugh until we almost pee our pants. We have become hermits at times–but together. He loves my dog like his own. That takes a special person.
L is my girl. One of my few female friends. LOL. Not sure how we first clicked, might have involved lots of drinks and SOX jokes. But we clicked and lived in different countries but stayed in touch. She’s great and there to hold my hand when I need it.
Then there is Z who puts up with my crying fits, my dirty jokes, my reediculous stories. And listens and supports me.
Last, but not least–OL. He gives me such unconditional love and support. He holds my hand when I’m upset, and knows when to call me on my shit. And he’s coming to visit. Can’t wait for in person time. we spend the majority of our time on skype of the phone. But he’s there.
I don’t think I could have gotten through my life without these amazing people. And no matter what happens, I feel absolutely blessed to love them and be loved by them. I think they are the reason I’m not afraid of the future. Of trying and failing. Because I know they will be there to see me through it.
I love you all. Just in case I don’t say it enough. I wanted to say it here. And to thank you for making my life so fantastic.
I am a huge Stephenie Meyer fan. I’ve read her Twilight series three times through. Hugely enjoyable read. I’ve sat through each movie. But this is the first one that I really liked. For me, I felt like the actors hit their stride and conveyed the emotions of their characters. It was fun to watch. Which got me wondering about the allure of Eclipse.
Or rather B and I discussed it on the walk back from the movie. It’s every person’s desire to be loved like that. Not as a means to an end, but to be loved for who you are. Bella has not one, but two men who love her that way. Sigh. Lucky bitch.
I think we all want a love that is unconditional. A love that doesn’t tire and fade away in a few years. We want to believe that love conquers all and that someone is out there for each of us. Or at least I do. And so does B. But life doesn’t always work out like that. You can love with your entire soul and it not be enough to keep the person in your life. Love cannot conquer death, disinterest, or indifference. Change can kill love as easily as lies do.
But when you have someone you would die for–in that moment love feels like the greatest power on earth. But when that person leaves and doesn’t come back, you have to face the harsh light of day. You have to accept that movies are movies and love will not win out in the end.
But Eclipse is the antithesis of this. It is a fantasy. A dream. A reality beyond our making. And that my friend is the allure of Eclipse–it is everything we dreamed of but will never have. But for a brief moment, sitting in that seat, we glimpse what we gave up on and for a moment we believe it is possible.
June 30 was my last day at my day job. It was great to lunch with my favorite manager and talk about things. I’ll definitely miss him. I got to say goodbye to the friends I’d made over the past 3 years and hopefully we’ll keep in touch. It’s weird to go from seeing someone everyday to who knows when. It still feels sorta surreal. Like it hasn’t sunk in. That may be due to the medication for my neck.
In case you were curious, I commuted from FiDi to Times Square every day for 2 years 11 months. I really hated the commute. Times Square is hell. Tons of tourists milling about six or seven abreast and never ever moving to let anyone get by. And the subways–The 2/3 is killer at rush hour. I ended up taking the R/W (btw–they retired the W on June 27th sniff sniff), which was a longer ride but way less crowded. Not anymore though. Yeesh. I think I’m getting out, while the getting is good. 
On the upside, despite working everyday, I have managed to write roughly 1000-1500 words a day in my new novel. I just hit the 30K mark!!!! This book feels like it will be 75K. So I’m over 1/3 done with the first draft. I really love this story. I also reworked the ending in the synopsis. I feel really pleased with where it ends up. Now I just gotta get there.
Of course, I loved my first book as well. But it’s been a few years of revising and trying to get it agented so it’s not my newborn baby anymore. I think when parents say they love all their children equally, they lie. Because I love this book in a different way than the other one. Both are precious and dear to me but in completely different ways. Maybe because I’ve changed and my writing has developed.
My right hand is bothering me from a minor neck problem so instead of another wordspastic post, I figured I’d share some of the reasons I love New York…
The New York Stock Exchange knows how to light up the night…
The architecture and hidden oasises (is that a word?)
The brownstones of Brooklyn
Top of the Rock lightshow that responds to movement
Cherry Blossoms at Brooklyn Botanic Gardens
What do you love about New York?
Emily Autumn has a great line in one of her poems:
How to break a heart
It is not difficult
Anyone can do it
So could you, if you tried
Just find a light
And switch it off
As easy as blinking
I never realized how easy it is. I mean I’ve had my heart broken a few times. Careless words thrown at me proved just how fragile love is. It shattered from a well-aimed needle or a stray bullet. I always marveled at the power of love and how it bound me to someone. Somehow, forgetting how delicate love could be, unraveling with one snip.
My character’s heart is going to break. I haven’t worked out exactly how. But having gone through it myself, I know it will tear her apart. But she will get through it.
I remember the first time my heart broke what hurt the most: Knowing it wouldn’t kill me. Instead, I would have to endure months of pain. Each day a bitter reminder that I was once again alone in the world, cut loose from the ties that bound me. The sun shined, the bird chirped and the rest of the world could give a rat’s ass about how I felt.
I hated that feeling, hated playing the waiting game. Most of all, I hated knowing that I brought it all upon myself because loving someone always opens you up to hurt. It’s the risk you take.
But I’ve also learned that all those feelings can be locked inside a big trunk and stored in some forgotten corner of your soul. Repressed away until you feel nothing.
In the end, life can be whatever you make of it. Broken hearts mend. Loss is overcome. And one day you smile after months of sadness. I can’t quite flip a switch and make it all go away, but I learned to wallow and then bury it. To mourn and then move on. I think that is perhaps the greatest tragedy in life: Knowing you can survive anything, but wishing you didn’t have to.
How did you deal with your first broken heart? Do you prefer to read about someone bouncing back or wallowing and slowly climbing out of it? Which makes a better heroine in your mind?
