Timberland Regional Library (TRL) brings readers, actors, distinguished speakers, book discussion groups, performers, and experts together in an array of events, all revolving around Sue Monk Kidd’s novel, "The Secret Life of Bees." Timberland Reads Together, a multi-community celebration of reading offers over 80 programs from early September to late October in 27 communities throughout the library system’s five counties.

There will be multiple opportunities for people in rural communities and cities throughout Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston counties to participate in Timberland Reads Together. All events are free of charge. A special eight-page section will be in Thursday’s Olympian, Thursday’s Chronicle (August 25), and Friday’s Daily World (August 26). It includes complete information on all the events, information about the book and author, some book discussion questions, locations with addresses and contact numbers, and more. Copies will also be available at all 27 Timberland libraries.

"The immensely popular, critically acclaimed "Secret Life of Bees" has something for everyone—a terrific story woven with universal human dilemmas, memorable characters, a vivid setting and engaging use of language," said Judy Covell, the Timberland Reads Together project manager. The story takes place in rural South Carolina during the summer of 1964. After her "stand-in mother," a bold black woman named Rosaleen, insults the three biggest racists in town, 14-year-old Lily Owens, long neglected by her embittered father, runs away with Rosaleen. They are taken in by three black, bee-keeping sisters. As Lily enters their world of bees and honey, she discovers a place where she can find the thing her heart longs for.

Ms. Kidd wrote to Timberland Regional Library: "I suspect that the real power of literature lies in its ability to jolt the heart, to create compassion, and to make the boundaries between people more permeable. This power is particularly potent, I think, when people come together around a single book to explore its meaning in a myriad of ways, which is why I'm so excited and grateful that Timberland Reads Together chose "The Secret Life of Bees" for its community reading program… I hope it will be an enriching experience, one that ultimately takes you to empathetic places of the heart."

People can explore the book "in a myriad of ways" at the events taking place at the 27 Timberland libraries and other local community venues and businesses throughout the region by

So that everyone can be reading the same book their friends and neighbors are reading, people can check out a library copy of "The Secret Life of Bees" in regular or large print, talking book, and Spanish editions; or purchase a copy at a local bookstore. The following area bookstores are offering Timberland library cardholders a 20% discount on the book:

TRL Director, Jodi Reng, will moderate a discussion of the social issues underlying "The Secret Life of Bees." Panelists include Les Purce, President of The Evergreen State College; TESC faculty members Babacar M’Baye, Nancy Koppelman, and Elizabeth McHugh from a wide range of disciplines; and Laura Hurtado-Webb, Community Services Coordinator for Safeplace. Discussion will include areas such as race and gender relations, domestic violence and child protection, mental health, and the various forms of family.

Jenna Lamia, the reader of the Talking Book version of The Secret Life of Bees, will read from the book and speak about her experience narrating talking books. A well-respected actress, Ms Lamia has appeared in several major motion pictures, many TV shows, and Broadway and off-Broadway plays. She has also narrated other audio books including "The Girl with the Pearl Earring" and "Witness." Her reading of "The Secret Life of Bees" was an Audie Award finalist for best solo narration.

Ms Coontz will speak on family dynamics as represented in "The Secret Life of Bees." Coontz teaches history and family studies at The Evergreen State College in Olympia and is the Director of Research and Public Education for the Council on Contemporary Families. Her books include "The Way We Never Were: American Families and the Nostalgia Trap" and "The Way We Really Are: Coming to Terms with America's Changing Families." Her new book, "Marriage, A History: From Obedience to Intimacy, or How Love Conquered Marriage" was published this May. Ms Coontz has testified about her research before the House Select Committee on Children, Youth and Families in Washington, D.C. She has appeared on Oprah Winfrey, Crossfire, NPR, CNN's Talk Back Live, and several television documentaries.

Using playback and other interactive techniques, this Olympia-based professional theater company spontaneously enacts stories, themes, and emotions from the suggestions and experiences of audience members. At this event, they will utilize their skills in acting, music and dance to "play back’ issues and themes of "The Secret Life of Bees" as suggested by the audience.

Literature comes to life in the capable hands of this Seattle-based theater company, who will perform theatrical readings from "The Secret Life of Bees." Now in its 15^th season, Book-It adapts short stories and novels for the stage. In what the company calls "Book-It Style," several actors speak narrative text as dialogue, using very little scenery and almost no costumes or props.

Karol and James Brown will perform interpretive readings, poetry and songs to explore African American experiences and perspectives on education and civil rights in American society. The presentation is developed around the legacy of African Americans’ contributions to society and the history-making 1954 US Supreme Court case, Brown vs. Board of Education. Karol Brown is an educator, storyteller and community leader. James Brown is a tenor soloist in two Gospel choirs. This is a Humanities Washington Inquiring Mind presentation.

Professor Doranne Crable presents a freethinking exploration of the central images and symbolism in "The Secret Life of Bees." She will discuss women’s roles, bees, honey, keeping secrets and the Black Madonna throughout history. Dr. Crable, a faculty member of The Evergreen State College, specializes in performance studies, comparative literature, women’s studies, and comparative spiritualities.

"The Timberland Reads Together program exemplifies the Library’s mission to provide information, resources, services and places where all people are free to read, learn, connect and grow. Join in! You’ll broaden your horizons as you deepen your enjoyment of reading. You’ll connect with others in your community as you share your thoughts about the book. And you’ll extend reading into your life as you enjoy some of the special events we’ve designed for you… some with "a taste of honey," said TRL Director, Jodi Reng.