The Secret Life of Bees

I know that The Secret Life of Bees is somewhat of a bestseller and received a lot of attention a few years ago. I'm not sure why I haven't read it before except I am usually repelled by what is typically considered a "bestseller". I've read one other book by Sue Monk Kidd, The Mermaid Chair which I enjoyed. The Secret Life of Bees was delightful. I dare say it is the best novel I've read this year and perhaps in a long while. The story is set in 1960's South Carolina and deals with some of the racial tension of that time. The story is one of the special bond of love among women. It is a short novel and a quick read but wonderfully told.

Swimming Lessons

Swimming Lessons by Mary Alice Monroe features the same characters from her novel The Beach House. Five years have passed and the story centers on single mother, Toy Sooner and her daughter who reside in the beach house. Toy has a lot going on in her life. She starts a new turtle hospital at the aquarium where she works as wounded and ailing Loggerheads begin to show up on the coast. Toy has a new love interest, too, but almost blows her opportunities when the father of her five year-old daughter shows up and wants to reconnect. The story is woven beautiful with updates on the other familiar characters and the story of the Loggerhead migration. It is not necessary to read The Beach house to appreciate this novel but I would recommend it.