Hillariously Funny!
One of things I like most about the book is that it is not "Americanized" and is exactly what was published in the UK.
The sense of humor is dry, and I'm learning a lot about how another country uses the English Language.
This book is fastinating and I'm only in the first few pages of it. More later.

********************
UPDATE
********************

How can someone make the topic of punctuation so readable, funny, informative and interesting. I'm offering this book in a local BC group first. Once it returns to me I'll see how many are circulating on the main BC site.

Locally, then, the order is [as of 28May04]:
1. Jody [Hand-Off: June 4th]
2. Pam [Hand-Off: June 20th]
3. Anita [Finished it as of July 11th]

Wouldn't it be nice to have an excuse to meet one another for the exchange? I plan on a personal handoff unless circumstances prevent it - then the mail will be my last resort.
*****************************
Now we go National
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[added note]: The list keeps growing! That is good :) Names have been added as received: you do not have to send in that order - pick the reader closest to you, if you prefer.
4. Pyan [WI] Journaled Aug. 11th.
5. vsimeone [OH] Journaled Nov. 11th
6. atnaturesmercy [NJ] Journaled Nov. 25th
7. sweetpea0678 [FL] Journaled Jan. 4th
8. skcreader [VA] Journaled Jul. 9th
9. STORMYBREEZE [OK]
10. dicentragirl [WA] Journaled Feb. 10th
11. calvarez4 [CA] Journaled Apr 22nd
12. mrsordonez [MO] Journaled Jun 19th
13. echesketch [VA] Journaled Aug 6th
14. morpha [OR] Journaled Jan 19, '06
15. dospescados [NY] Journaled Aug 8th
16. crup [UT]

~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
International Ring Members
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please make it easy on yourself and ship to those closest to you. Names have been added in the order they were received, but you may send to whomever you want!
17. felicia-fairy [Australia]
18. duza-daluza [Poland]
19. dodau [UK]
20. Catluvr [Canada]
21. Soongsis2 [Singapore]
22. landrellec [France]
23. misha63 [Australia]
24. Merriec [Australia]
25. GateGypsy [Victoria, B.C now; will be in Japan later :)]
26. Aliaskris29 [Canada]
.
.
...then set free returned home!

Addendum:
The lead off paragraph in Jasper Fforde's "The Eyre Affair" (Chapter 20) has this that ties into our book here:

'... Several people have asked me where I find the large quantity of prepositions that I need to keep my Bookworms fit and well. The answer is, of course, that I use ommitted prepositions, of which there are a superabundance in the english language. Journey's end, for instance, has three omitted prepositions: the end of the journey. There are many other examples, too, such as bedside (the side of the bed) and streetcorner (the corner of the street) and so forth. If I run short I head to my local newspapers, where omitted prepositions can be found in The Toad's headlines every day. As for the worm's waste products, these are chiefly composed of apostrophes - something that is becoming a problem - I saw a notice yesterday that read: Cauliflower's, three shilling's each...'

MYCROFT NEXT, writing in the 'Any questions?' page of New Splicer magazine

My son and I met Pete today to pick this up. It looks like a good one!

Who would have thought a book about punctuation would be so entertaining? I found myself chuckling through much of this book. As I was in bed one night reading, my husband saw the title and commented that it was a strange name for a book. I read him the joke on the back and he said, "Well, that just spoiled the ending!" I laughed at him and tried to explain the difference between "eats, shoots and leaves" and "eats shoots and leaves." He wasn't getting it so I simply told him it was a book about punctuation. He then jokingly said something like, "Oooh! I loved the chapter on the question mark!" I probably just rolled my eyes and went back to reading. I think he'll never understand my obsession with reading!

Also, a note on this particular copy: Pete had mentioned at our hand-off meeting that one of his dogs had spilled water on it or something. The first day I had this home sitting on the coffee table, it caused a bit of a scuffle between my dog and one of my cats when the cat went to lay on top of it and the dog felt the need to guard it! Apparently the dog wasn't finished checking out the other dog scents on the book. So future readers with pets be warned! This book is probably full of animal scents!

Now I'll be setting up a time to pass this along to the next reader.

I caught this from another local Bookcrosser at the Coffee Hound in East Moline; we had a smoothie and coffee and a nice chat.:) Will pass it on to the next person on the list--hopefully within a week or so.

Caught this in my mailbox just the other day. (Thanks Pam!) Looking forward to reading it!

Finished this book on July 11th. Shipped it off to Pyan earlier today (July 13th).

This book sure had an impact on me. Not sure my grammar will improve --- but I know I will be paying closer attention! I just might consider buying a copy for each of my co-workers!

Received this book from another local BC member; and have shipped it to the next local member on the list.

Book arrived today, and I'm really looking forward to reading it.

Unfortunately, it is "raining books" this week as several bookrings arrived at once. I'll try hard to get this on it's way as fast as possible, but I have 3 bookrings ahead of it.

Just an update ... I'll have this out by the weekend. Sorry it's taking so long, but had several bookrings ahead of it.

A witty, educational and fun book to read!

I pride myself as fairly good at punctuation; nevertheless, I learned a lot while reading this hilarious book. It is interesting to see the differences between British and American punctuation -- I had no idea about the "Oxford comma" for instance.

I especially enjoyed the history of punctuation, and the wonderful anecdotes.

To be honest, I was quite surprised at how much I enjoyed it. It had me laughing out loud at times; just delightful!

Released on Wednesday, August 11, 2004 at in the mail in Bookring, A Bookring Controlled Releases.

In the mail to Vsimeone finally ... sorry it took me so long.

Happy reading :)

I have a few books in front of this one. I will try my best to stick to the 4-6 week rule. I am looking forward to reading this book. Thank you for including me in the ring!

This was a really fun book! I'm sorry that I took so long. It arrived in the midst of Bookring and soccer h*ll. I had really hoped to get it done sooner but thank you so much for the opportunity to participate! I have e-mailed atnaturesmercy for a mailing address and will send it out just as soon as I receive it! Thank you again!

Received today in the mail and will begin reading it shortly. :)

I loved it! As a self-proclaimed grammar-enthusiast, this book was definitely my cup of tea. It was hilarious yet also surprisingly very informative and I felt I learned a lot I probably should've known already. It's also made me more aware of the hilarious (and sometimes horrendous) grammar mistakes that are lurking out there. :)

I'm waiting for a response back from the next person on the list, stardustedangel, and will then mail it out shortly. Thanks for making this available, Rutchmather!

12/01: Am passing this on to sweetpea0678 as I cannot get ahold of stardustedangel.

arrived safely here. thanks will read as soon as i can

Released on Tuesday, January 04, 2005 at about 11:00:00 AM BX time (GMT-06:00) Central Time (US & Canada) at Book Ring in Bookring, Postal Release Controlled Releases.

RELEASE NOTES:

Sent to next bookcrosser in bookring

Just got this back in the mail so early next week it will continue on it's journey - I haven't checked the list yet but will edit this entry to indicate who is next.

Ha! So many people have heard about this book that they aren't waititng for it - they are buying a copy for themselves...

This is on it's way to dicentragirl this week. Enjoy.

I just got this in the mail yesterday. I'm putting it at the top of Mount TBR. As a side note, my roomie's dog wouldn't stop sniffing it! LOL. I passed it along before reading much of it. I just couldn't get into it.

It arrived safely! Thank you, Rutchmather, for sharing your copy with us!

I am strangely excited to read this...to see why a grammar book (of all things!) has caused such an international sensation, and to see just what exactly the title "Eats, Shoots & Leaves" means!

I am currently reading "Trainspotting" by Irvine Welsh (a bookring book as well), so it will be a few days before I can dive into this one.

Note: Trainspotting is a grammatical disaster! :)

Lynne Truss is phenomanal. The first half of the book is incredibly witty; the second half drags a bit, but is still lovely.

RELEASE NOTES:

On its way to mrsordonez!

Yay! I've got one or two in hand before this one, but it looks like a quick and funny read. Thanks for including me.

update 5.30.05

Just updating that this book is still in good hands. I am reading another ring that has taken longer than expected, but haven't forgotten about this one. :) Thanks for your patience.

I was glad to see that my knowledge of grammar/punctuation was well supported. I think the last time I had a formal review was in the 9th grade (and I hold a Master's degree in literature!). Now, all the rules that apply to English grammar, I try and bring them over to Spanish, and German; although I remember I kept getting the commas wrong in German, as they have a different system. (Notice the semicolon...) I feel that if I don't perfectly punctuate this journal entry, I will have failed Ms. Truss. I enjoyed the contrast between British and American English, and have to laugh, because there are some words and syntax of which I prefer the British styling (humour for example). I had some very poignient comments, but have now packaged up the book and didn't write them down in time, so they've been forgotten. I do remember that I wanted to mention that I am in favor of the "oxford comma" if anyone wants to do battle. :) -- Oh no, an emoticon and a dash have slipped in. I guess I can't completely escape the traps of cyberspace. This book is now on it's way to skcreader.

I received this book in the mail yesterday. I'll journal again after I read it!

I haven't finished reading this book and already know I must add it to my permanent collection - I'm sending it on to the next reader and will wait for my own copy to arrive.

Received yesterday and already into it!

Sent to dospescados today, 8/3/05

What a fun book! I jotted down a few insignificant notations along the way and will type them in this weekend while I'm playing catch-up.

This arrived today. Thanks!

Freshly arrived. I have already started the reading. Might take awhile. Nonfiction sometimes does.

Just been reading some of the journal entries. Volunteer at the animal shelter today, do I. What do dogs and cats say about this book ? Enquiring minds want to know.

Who to next? I must ponder.

Cats and dogs have neutral reactions when sniffing this book, I guess it's fair to say the dogwater scent is gone.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It wasn't as quick a read as I had hoped it would be; I needed some time between each chapter to mentally digest the information.
I find that with a few exceptions, my punctuational habits match those of Ms Truss. I have been using the Oxford comma since fourth grade without knowing that there really was such a thing; it just made sense to me.
I enjoyed the humor and thought it particularly kind of the author to explain both UK and US usage of punctuation.
I believe I need to obtain a copy of this book for myself.

I am deeply embarassed to discover that this book is still in my possession. I apologize profusely for holding up the bookring.

I just PMed crup for mailing info.

Arrived today, next to be read

To be honest I have to say I found this a bit dull, disapointing as I have others by her on my TBR pile. I found it difficult to get through and if it had been longer I don't think I would have. I don't think it's helped my punctuation either.

RELEASE NOTES:

Received this today in the mail! Thanks.

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

Happy Reading!