The Secret Life Of Bees By Sue Monk Kidd By anninwaterloo on Mar 29, 2008 - Updated Oct 15, 2011

Richly crafted and beautifully written, "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd was rightly deserving of its place on the New York Times Bestsellers List. Set in the deep South during the mid-60's, "Bees" explores complex issues of motherless children, crime, racism, culture, and feminism.

Lily Owens, whose mother was killed when she was young, was essentially raised by her nanny Rosaleen. With a distant father, Lily is left to her own devices, with only Rosaleen providing any guidance. However, when Rosaleen stirs the ire of the town's racists, both she and Lily flee to another town, where they are taken in by a group of black beekeeping sisters. Lily's life is transformed against the backdrop of the art of making honey.