Journal Entry 1 by Jassy-m from Perth, Western Australia Australia on Tuesday, December 09, 2003

Haven't read this one for years, but I enjoyed it when I did!! 

Journal Entry 2 by BookFrog from Albion Park, New South Wales Australia on Tuesday, December 16, 2003

Left the house today with a bag full of books (over 10, less than 20?)- some to post, some to swap at second hand book store and some to release.

I returned with 3. 2 I hadn't found somewhere to leave them though I told myself that I /had/ to leave them somewhere but it just couldn't be done.

And this one. Across from the post office was a park so I released some books there and sat down and read the first chapter of this book while watching people walk past my book and ignore it. *sniff* Still there when I left.

I have read this book before (a few times)but am enjoying reading it again. But I have decided that even if I had read the books on this ring before I am going to do it again for it was some years ago for some of them. 

Journal Entry 3 by BookFrog from Albion Park, New South Wales Australia on Saturday, December 20, 2003

Finished this book. Decided to re-read even though I had read it before.

It is a good book, the series went on alittle long but it certainly is an interesting dilemma.

What if Australia was invaded? What if you didn't know and returned to find your family and friends had been captured? What would you do? What would you do if you are only a teenager?

John Marsden is a good writer and this series has certainly been popular. Rumour has it that even though the series supposedly finished with the 7th book, he has written a new one I think called Ellie's Story - actually it isn't a rumour! I might go hunt it out from the library, supposedly not as good as the rest. He should just start something else. Hopefully Harry Potter will stop where it is supposed to stop at number 7.

Off to the next person on the list now.... 

Journal Entry 4 by sunny27 from Gympie, Queensland Australia on Tuesday, January 20, 2004

Received via kuju as part of the Great Aust Novel bookring. It looks like a book I wouldn't normally choose, so I'm looking forward to reading it. 

Journal Entry 5 by sunny27 from Gympie, Queensland Australia on Tuesday, January 27, 2004

The first chapter of this book really dragged and had me dreading the rest. The second chapter had me hooked and I could not put it down. I read right through the night and took it to a cafe to finish after work the next day.

I never found myself wondering 'what if' as others have mentioned and parts of the story were fairly implausible and I could have done without the mushy teenage love stuff, but overall it was superb. I will keep an eye out for a copy to release. 

Journal Entry 6 by sunny27 at dalriada in send to a fellow bookcrosser, Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Monday, February 02, 2004

Released on Monday, February 02, 2004 at dalriada in send to a fellow bookcrosser, Bookring Controlled Releases.

Posted off to Dalriada today. Hope you like it as much as I did. 

Journal Entry 7 by dalriada from Maryborough, Queensland Australia on Sunday, March 14, 2004

My teenage daughter read this and enjoyed it very much. 

Journal Entry 8 by Hawkette from Ballarat, Victoria Australia on Tuesday, April 27, 2004

I have just today returned from 5 weeks of travel, and was very excited to find this in my pile of mail. 

Journal Entry 9 by Hawkette from Ballarat, Victoria Australia on Friday, June 04, 2004

Wow, I am actually blown away about how good this book is! I am still reeling from just finishing it. I remember when it was first published, but never really took any notice. And now...if I had my voting time over, this would get my vote for the top Aussie books.

The voice of Ellie is compelling, and the story is recounted in such a real way - it feels like she is sitting there telling you what happened. And the thing that appeals to me is the reality of it for me - talking about the dunny and Trannies and Year 8, and even what book they did in school (Z for Zachariah - I did that too!!)...seems so real, and close to my experiences. I guess most books I have read of a catastophe like this has been American, and thus just that little bit removed from us.

The premise behind the book, where some foreign entity comes and seems to have taken over Australia, is something that has always been talked about and feared (and used in PM election campaigns), and so in the current climate this idea is certainly an interesting topic for exploration. And Marsden has done this with the voice and actions of a group of...Year 12 students I am assuming...in such a real way.

The fact that these kids find courage and trust in each other in the hardest times, and then in the most Aussie way make some joke or take the piss out of something - amazing!

I am definately going to seek out the rest of the series. I can't believe I haven't read this before!! 

Journal Entry 10 by dolphin-au from Lake Macquarie, New South Wales Australia on Tuesday, June 15, 2004

Just like the previous reader I have just arrived from a five week holiday to find this book in my mail! Looking forward to reading it! Thanks Hawkette! 

Journal Entry 11 by dolphin-au from Lake Macquarie, New South Wales Australia on Sunday, June 20, 2004

I enjoyed the story, even though the premise, invasion of Australia by a foreign country, did not seem real to me. The story is well told though and the characters and setting are very recognisable and very Australian! 

Journal Entry 12 by twinmaker from Winthrop, Western Australia Australia on Sunday, August 01, 2004

rec'd today - well, the pressure's on I am just finishing one book and have another just in front of this but should get to it very soon
 

Journal Entry 13 by Georgie-Shaw from Sydney, New South Wales Australia on Saturday, August 28, 2004

Was waiting for me (27/8/04) when I got home after a two week absence - thank you twinmaker - I marvel at your stationery!! I think that finally I will be reading a book of the GANBR that I will enjoy!

Really enjoyed re-reading this book - the images came back to me from the first time, which was a long time back - always a sign for me of a good book. Whilst my brain still registers how improbable/unlikely is this etc,. the storytelling did compel me to suspend my rational thoughts and get lost in the characters. I admire John Marsden's ability to narrate with such ease and believability through the eyes of a 17/18 year old girl - or even younger with "So Much To Tell You". Finally, finally a GANBR book that I enjoyed!!!!
 

Journal Entry 14 by Georgie-Shaw at book ring in Mailed to fellow bookcrosser, Postal Release -- Controlled Releases on Friday, November 12, 2004

Released on Tuesday, November 09, 2004 at about 8:00:00 PM BX time (GMT-06:00) Central Time (US & Canada) at book ring in Mailed to fellow bookcrosser, Postal Release Controlled Releases.

RELEASE NOTES:

Shipped off to Brisbane - so that jawin would have room for at least 1 more book to bring back from the Australian BC Convention! 

Journal Entry 15 by jawin from Launceston, Tasmania Australia on Monday, November 15, 2004

Received in the mail from Georgie-Shaw. HOw thoughtful of her to send it to me so I could buy more books at the conference. Just what I needed - more books! LOL 

Journal Entry 16 by jawin from Launceston, Tasmania Australia on Wednesday, January 26, 2005

Well, well. What a surprise this author was. I could not put this down. I went and bought the rest of the series before I'd even finished the first one! And they are fabulous reads, each better than the last.

There are some niggles for me as an adult reader - the stories rely a touch too much on luck and coincidence, and there is some repetition of ideas. But the strengths are real ones. The plotting is superb - few writers in any genre can get you turning pages like Marsden can. The characters are psychologically and emotionally convincing. The heroism is fairly shared between the boys and the girls in the group. (The female narrator is a refreshing touch). Negative emotions, fear, fatigue, impatience, are not shied away from.

The central device is an unexpected invasion of Australia by a foreign force which separates a group of teenagers from adult supervision, leaving them to rely on their own resources. It allows Marsden to explore real issues for teenagers about responsibility, courage, sexual attitudes - even spirituality. All are delivered without judgement or the author's baggage. The action is so exciting - real pulse-racing stuff - but from a grown-up's perspective it also carries an important theme: life may be difficult, threatening, even terrifying, but it is always worth living, and courage - in whatever its form - is a quality everyone can find and one that is always worth seeking out.

I recommend this series to anyone, although the mild sexual references may make it more appropriate for teens than young readers.
 

Journal Entry 17 by jawin from Launceston, Tasmania Australia on Sunday, March 20, 2005

I have had absolutely no luck in finding the next person who wants this one from the Great Australian Novel Ring - everyone seems to have already read it! Rather than have it continue to sit on my desk, I passed it on to another bookcrosser at today's Brisbane meetup. When he's done, we'll try again for the GAN list. 

Journal Entry 18 by caldron from Brisbane, Queensland Australia on Sunday, March 20, 2005

received at the meetup today (thx jawin) with many heartfelt endorsements and encouragement to read from several other BXers . . . I'll add it to the pile ;)
 

Journal Entry 19 by caldron from Brisbane, Queensland Australia on Monday, March 21, 2005

This is indeed a surprising book.

I'd heard of Marsden's prolific & popular writing (teen-fic) in an article by the Australian Weekend Magazine several years ago; he is a former school teacher (if I remember correctly) and I can now attest that he writes compelling human drama supported by good characterisation.

Whilst this is a book primarily for a teen audience, I started it last night thinking I'd just read the first few chapters (as I have many things 'on the go' at present) and as earlier posters have commented - it hooks you unexpectedly and proceeds to reel you in at a ripping pace; I must have begun around 9pm and by 11.30 when I put it down, I was really grateful that I took jawin's advice to read it.

I too will seek out the remaining books in the series ~ I just have to know how it all ends ;) . . .

(now back to jawin & the GAN list)

 

Journal Entry 20 by Hearth-Crafter from Albury, New South Wales Australia on Sunday, April 03, 2005

Received this much anticipated book from caldron via jawin..I say much anticipated because I have been waiting a while to have the opportunity to read this series...and thankx to jawin and caldron I now can start this series and move on to the next one at least (I already have book 2)...hopefully I will be able to to get the rest from the library or something...hehe...

If you are the next person on the bookring...email me and tell me, cause I have another book in front of this one that MUST be read...so if you are the next person PM me so I know I have to hurry up...lol! 

Journal Entry 21 by Hearth-Crafter from Albury, New South Wales Australia on Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Well I had looked forward to reading this series in the beginning because of the plot...but then I read a few other John Marsden books and felt...oh dear it's gonna be really bad...but amazingly the Tomorrow Series is WAYYY Above his other books (I have read Letters From The Inside (not bad but ends a bit abruptly) and So Much To Tell You...which ended fast and basically sucked...so even though I agree with the person who said the first chapter or so took a bit for it to be more than just a teenage campout...once they were out there...it started to pick up and kept on running...and it just gets faster paced as I am now onto Book Three.

Thankx for the opportunity to read this...looks like John Marsden's writing has improved a lot!