Journal Entry 1 by allbookedup from Wien Bezirk 21 - Floridsdorf, Wien Austria on Saturday, June 26, 2004

Bookring participants:

1. trygvasson - Germany (international shipping)
2. Flicki - Germany (within Europe)
3. redjanet - UK (international shipping)
4. casseytara - USA (Oklahoma, international shipping)
5. Sullynation - USA (Virginia, international shipping)
6. bookgal23 - USA (NYC, international shipping)
7. sweetpea0678 - USA (Florida, shipping within US)
8. Flakes - USA (int. OK)
9. pammykn - USA (Florida, international shipping)
10. fsr44 - USA (Rhode Island, international shipping)
11. ellymae58 - USA (shipping within US)
12. silverstarry - USA (int. OK)
13. doris Canada (shipping Canada/USA)
14. Rrrcaron - USA (int. OK)
15. ramson - USA (int. OK)
16. miss-gonewest - Australia (international shipping)
17. Hengameh - Iran
18. katayoun - Iran (international shipping)
19. Brujula - France (shipping within Europe)
20. blondgeek47 - Austria 

Journal Entry 2 by allbookedup from Wien Bezirk 21 - Floridsdorf, Wien Austria on Thursday, July 01, 2004

No, I did NOT expect another Bridget Jones... but I had the feeling that Helen Fielding desperately wanted to create a strong female "James Bond" character, maybe along the lines of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series or some other "tough" female.
Even though I liked Olivia Joules and her (very very) overactive imagination, the only part that I really enjoyed was on the last 30 pages!
The whole story about the "Osama Bin Laden-lookalike" leaves a bad aftertaste, in my opinion.
How can she feel attracted to this man?

I will send the book off tomorrow (July 2nd) as a bookring and I hope you'll all enjoy it! Let me know what you think! 

Journal Entry 3 by trygvasson from Hamburg, Hamburg Germany on Tuesday, July 13, 2004

It arrived safely - and it goes directly to the top of my TBR pile...
allbookedup - thanks for sharing. 

Journal Entry 4 by trygvasson from Hamburg, Hamburg Germany on Monday, July 26, 2004

It was not as much fun as the "Diary" - and i found the AlQaeda connection in a basically funny story, well, a little disconcerting. I liked the overactive imagination of Olivia and the way it takes flight... all in all it´s still fun to read...

I will contact Flicki - to send it on its way... 

Journal Entry 5 by trygvasson at Posted to another bookcrosser in Hamburg, Germany, By Post -- Controlled Releases on Monday, August 02, 2004

Released on Monday, August 02, 2004 at Posted to another bookcrosser in Hamburg, Germany, By Post Controlled Releases.

The book is on its way to the next reader - sorry for the small delay... I hope you´ll enjoy it! 

Journal Entry 6 by Flicki from Emden, Niedersachsen Germany on Tuesday, August 03, 2004

Cool beans! I received the book today and started reading straight away. Thanks, trygvasson! Let's see how long it'll take as I'm reading 10 books at a time once again. :-) 

Journal Entry 7 by Flicki from Emden, Niedersachsen Germany on Wednesday, August 11, 2004

Now, I really liked the book! In a way, it's beautifully postmodern in genre, but it's funny and entertaining at the same time which makes it a fantastic read.

As a sign of true admiration I'll replace the old cat calendar bookmark by a photo taken with a real Russian spy cam!!!

Whenever redjanet replies to my e-mail, I'll send the book on to her.

 

Journal Entry 8 by Flicki from Emden, Niedersachsen Germany on Monday, August 16, 2004

Sent to redjanet today! Hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did! :-) 

Journal Entry 9 by redjanet from London , Greater London United Kingdom on Tuesday, August 24, 2004

Just received this in the post today. Thanks very much! 

Journal Entry 10 by redjanet from London , Greater London United Kingdom on Tuesday, September 07, 2004

I finished this book today and I have very mixed feelings about it. I won't give too much away, but I'll say straight off the bat that I felt quite a bit uncomfortable reading a comedy regarding the subject of terrorism and Al-Quaeda. It didn't sit right with me.

As far as the writing is concerned, this is definitely not Helen Fielding's best work. I've read both _Bridget Jones_ novels and found them both extremely funny and amusing. While I won't say that this book was humour free, the writing wasn't nearly as good. I get that the author was trying to write a female take on a James Bond-style story, including the cheesiness, but I thought a lot of the humour just fell flat.

However, as I admitted above, this book was not without humour and I did find myself laughing aloud in the latter few chapters of the book despite myself and the ridiculousness/inappropriateness of the subject matter.

Once casseytara sends me her address I will post this off to her. 

Journal Entry 11 by redjanet at on Friday, October 08, 2004

Released 7 yrs ago (10/8/2004 UTC) at

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I posted this book today to casseytara. i'm so sorry about the delay! 

Journal Entry 12 by Aramena from Moore, Oklahoma USA on Wednesday, October 13, 2004

This came today -- yay! I'd forgotten I signed up for this ring and it wasn't on my chart, so what a pleasant surprise! I'm not reading everybody else's comments until after I read the book, but I will say that I enjoyed the Bridget Jones books, and I even more enjoyed Cause Celeb, so I'm looking forward to this! 

Journal Entry 13 by Aramena from Moore, Oklahoma USA on Wednesday, November 03, 2004

I found it a very enjoyable read, and I liked it as much as Ms. Fieldings' other books! It was a little outlandish at times, but it was an easy and amusing read, and not predictable. Thanks for sharing it, allbookedup!

In the mail today to Sullynation! 

Journal Entry 14 by yllus on Friday, November 12, 2004

Received today! Can't wait to get into! 

Journal Entry 15 by yllus on Monday, November 22, 2004

I didn't enjoy this as much as I thought I would, but it was an enjoyable easy read. I appreciate being included on the ring.

Have pm'd bookgal23 for her address and will send out as soon as she responds. 

Journal Entry 16 by yllus at BookRing in Book Ring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, November 23, 2004

Released on Tuesday, November 23, 2004 at about 12:00:00 PM BX time (GMT-06:00) Central Time (US & Canada) at BookRing in Book Ring, A Bookring Controlled Releases.

RELEASE NOTES:

Releasing to next member of bookring. 

Journal Entry 17 by CharmedKim from Secaucus, New Jersey USA on Wednesday, December 01, 2004

I received the book on Saturday and I have already started reading it. I enjoy Helen Fielding's style of writing. 

Journal Entry 18 by CharmedKim from Secaucus, New Jersey USA on Monday, December 27, 2004

I just couldn't get into it; I guess I was expecting another Bridget Jones. I don't want to hold onto it any longer so I'm passing it on to the next person. 

Journal Entry 19 by CharmedKim from Secaucus, New Jersey USA on Friday, December 31, 2004

Sent today to Sweetpea0768. 

Journal Entry 20 by sweetpea0678 from Saint Petersburg, Florida USA on Tuesday, January 18, 2005

Got the book on Saturday and started reading it. I was looking forward to this book so jumped right in when I got it. All I found was disappointment. What was suppose to be humor I found myself rolling my eyes at.

Passing on to Flakes as soon as I get an address...Will PM now.

Thanks for sharing. 

Journal Entry 21 by sweetpea0678 at Book Ring in Bookring, Postal Release -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, January 18, 2005

Released 7 yrs ago (1/18/2005 UTC) at Book Ring in Bookring, Postal Release -- Controlled Releases

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Sent to next Bookcrosser in bookring 

Journal Entry 22 by Flakes from Bloomington, Illinois USA on Saturday, January 22, 2005

Arrived today, safe and sound. I'll start this tomorrow and then send it on its way ASAP!:) 

Journal Entry 23 by Flakes from Bloomington, Illinois USA on Tuesday, January 25, 2005

I loved Bridget Jones and I enjoyed Cause Celeb, but I just could NOT get into this book. That being said, thank you, allbookedup, for the opportunity to read it!:)

Sending this off to pammykn tomorrow! 

Journal Entry 24 by pammykn from Decatur, Alabama USA on Tuesday, February 01, 2005

Received today -- have a few rings/rays to finish up 1st, looking forward to reading it. Thanks! 

Journal Entry 25 by pammykn from Decatur, Alabama USA on Tuesday, February 22, 2005

Update -- will be reading this while away on vacation this week. Contacting FSR44 to mail out upon return next week. 

Journal Entry 26 by pammykn from Decatur, Alabama USA on Saturday, March 05, 2005

Wasn't quite sure what to expect w/ the mixed comments. And really had my doubts about mixing humor w/ terrorism but I really did find this a fun, entertaining read. I loved the graphic illustrations, this added to the tone of the book, there should have been more. Mailing out today to fsr4, sorry for the delay. Thanks again for sharing this book! 

Journal Entry 27 by fsr44 from Pawtucket, Rhode Island USA on Wednesday, March 09, 2005

Arrived today. I'll start it right away. Thanks! 

Journal Entry 28 by fsr44 from Pawtucket, Rhode Island USA on Monday, March 14, 2005

Sadly, I thought this one was ridiculous. Fielding can write, and certainly moves the book along at a fast pace, but in order to buy into it, you have to believe in a protagonist who is attracted to a man whom she thinks may be a terrorist. And this attraction is dealt with in a fun, lighthearted "oh silly me, he reminds me of bin laden but isn't he a hottie" sort of way. Blech.
I'm sorry, but I think some of the book, in addition to being absurd, is in very poor taste.
I'll PM ellymae58 now, and will send the book to her as soon as I have her addy. 

Journal Entry 29 by fsr44 at Bookray in n/a, Bookray -- Controlled Releases on Monday, March 14, 2005

Released 7 yrs ago (3/14/2005 UTC) at Bookray in n/a, Bookray -- Controlled Releases

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Ellymae asked to be skipped, so this is going out to SilverStarry. 

Journal Entry 30 by silverstarry from Berkeley, California USA on Thursday, March 24, 2005

Just received this today - can't wait to read it! 

Journal Entry 31 by silverstarry from Berkeley, California USA on Saturday, March 26, 2005

I, too, had mixed feelings about this book. I wasn't sure exactly what to expect since my only previous experience with Helen Fielding was reading the Bridget Jones books, but the premise of the book seemed interesting, especially since I know what it's like to have an overactive imagination that makes me believe the craziest things! I have never suspected a stranger of being Osama Bin Laden though. I am not sure exactly what to say about this book - I read it quickly, but I wasn't blown away by it. It wasn't awful, but I think that I would have enjoyed it more if I had read it while lying on the beach during a vacation. I disliked the obvious love interest plot, but I did like the comic book type illustrations that were sprinkled throughout. Although I did enjoy some of the spy stuff, the parts I liked the best were when Olivia realized that her overactive imagination had been on overdrive (again). Maybe I'm just afraid that my my paranoia will turn out not to be paranoia after all!

One thing I definitely liked was Olivia's Rules for Living:

1. Never panic. Stop, breathe, think.
2. No one is thinking about you. They're thinking about themselves, just like you.
3. Never change haircut or colour before an important event.
4. Nothing is either as bad or as good as it seems.
5. Do as you would be done by, e.g., thou shall not kill.
6. It is better to buy one expensive thing that you really like than several cheap things that you only quite like.
7. Hardly anything matters; if you get upset, ask yourself, "Does it really matter?"
8. The key to success lies in how you pick yourself up from failure.
9. Be honest and kind.
10. Only buy clothes that make you feel like doing a small dance.
11. Trust your instincts, not your overactive imagination.
12. When overwhelmed by disaster, check if it's really a disaster by doing the following: a) think, "Oh, fuck it," b) look on the bright side and, if that doesn't work, look on the funny side. If neither of the above works then maybe it is a disaster so turn to items 1 and 5.
13. Don't expect the world to be safe or life to be fair.
14. Sometimes you just have to go with the flow.
15. Don't regret anything. Remember there wasn't anything else that could have happened, given who you were and the state of the world at that moment. The only thing you can change is the present, so learn from the past.
16. If you start regretting something and thinking, "I should have done..." always add, "but then I might have been run over by a lorry or blown up by a Japanese-manned torpedo."

Thanks to allbookedup for sharing this book! 

Journal Entry 32 by silverstarry from Berkeley, California USA on Friday, April 01, 2005

Mailed to doris today - enjoy! 

Journal Entry 33 by 3D3D on Thursday, April 14, 2005

Received this book the other day & I blanked that I had not journalled. My bad. Thanks for sharing!

I have a couple of rings all at once but fear not! I will get to this and move it along!

Keep smilin! 

Journal Entry 34 by 3D3D on Monday, June 06, 2005

I finished this on Saturday. I am quite disappointed. I had high hopes and this story really fell flat. It did not grip me and was nonsensical at times. The story did not make sense and it was TOO far fetched (if you know what I mean).

I wanted to get into this book and kept reading in hopes of that happening bu it did not. I had to puch myslef to finish it. The story was slow at the start and then speeded up to wrap things up at end. Too bad!

Thanks for sharing and being patient with me.

Sending along to Rrrcaron shortly.

Keep smilin! 

Journal Entry 35 by 3D3D at on Tuesday, July 05, 2005

Released 6 yrs ago (7/5/2005 UTC) at

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Mailed today to Rrrcaron 

Journal Entry 36 by Rrrcaron from Lancaster, New Hampshire USA on Thursday, July 14, 2005

I received this book in the mail today. I hope to get to it soon!
Ruth 

Journal Entry 37 by Rrrcaron from Lancaster, New Hampshire USA on Thursday, July 14, 2005

I received this book in the mail today. I hope to get to it soon!
Ruth 

Journal Entry 38 by Rrrcaron from Lancaster, New Hampshire USA on Monday, April 10, 2006

Sent this book off to miss-gonewest in Australia today. ramson asked to be skipped. I sent it global priority so it should be there in a few days. My apologies for holding it so long.....
Ruth 

Journal Entry 39 by miss-gonewest from Perth, Western Australia Australia on Monday, May 01, 2006

This book arrived with me on Friday – finally! I am so pleased to receive this as I’d given it up for dead!!! I think this book may have been the very first ring I ever signed up for when I joined two years ago.

I started it over the weekend (only a few pages in) and should be finished in the next week or so… Will be back with my thoughts & updates. Thanks for posting this along to me.
 

Journal Entry 40 by miss-gonewest from Perth, Western Australia Australia on Thursday, May 04, 2006

Look I really enjoyed this book, but my some parts were so annoying!

Unlike the others before me, I didn't find the topic of Al Quaeda and terrorism the most offensive part, I found the predictability and the unbelievablity most annoying!!! I had the ending figured out a third of the way through and spent the rest of the book hoping that I'd be surprised... alas, I had it picked! And I also found myself frustrated at the sheer flakiness of it all. That said it was an entertaining and easy read and it brightened up my mornings reading it on the bus!!!!

I enjoyed both the Bridget diaries and I did enjoy this; I wasn't sure what I was expecting but I was so pleased that this was different to Bridget Jones, however I was sad that it was so cliched.

I can only wonder if there will be an Olivia Joules Part Deux to come...?? Which of course I will read like the chick lit lover that I am (BTW I do find it humourous that this is classed as a "Mystery/Thriller".

Thanks to allbookedup for sharing - and to rrcaron for getting this book moving again. I am pleased to have read it. I've PM'd the next in line for their details - will send this along when I've received them.


Update 7th May - Hengameh wished to be skipped so I've now requested details from the next reader...

Update 12th May - katyoun wishes to be skipped also, will now try brujula. I'm not having much luck with moving this along! 

Journal Entry 41 by miss-gonewest from Perth, Western Australia Australia on Thursday, May 11, 2006

Just to keep everyone in the loop – I still have this book with me.
Several participants no longer wish to participate so I am still working my way through the list of readers that signed up for this. Hengameh and katyoun wish to be skipped and I have now contacted Brujula to see if she is still interested.

As I am running out of readers to pick from – I am not sure if the ring owner wants to readvertise this ring in the forums to keep it moving or collect new readers on the way home. If you have a suggestion, please advise.
 

Journal Entry 42 by allbookedup from Wien Bezirk 21 - Floridsdorf, Wien Austria on Saturday, May 13, 2006

The bookring will continue...

1.) soleille - GERMANY

2.) rosiewhippet - UK

3.) surfenkitten - USA

4.) crystalaney - USA

5.) saintly-singer - USA
 

Journal Entry 43 by miss-gonewest at BookRing in Book Ring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, May 14, 2006

Released 6 yrs ago (5/15/2006 UTC) at BookRing in Book Ring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

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YAY! Third time lucky! I've now heard from Brujula who is still very much looking forward to reading this...

The book has now been posted to France (via airmail) and should be arriving before the end of the month.

I am so pleased to see that this will keep travelling & meeting new friends!

 

Journal Entry 44 by Brujula from Valenciennes, Nord-Pas-de-Calais France on Monday, May 22, 2006

The book arrived safely in Belfort this week-end.

Thank you for sending it all the way from Australia! 

Journal Entry 45 by Brujula from Valenciennes, Nord-Pas-de-Calais France on Wednesday, July 05, 2006

A delightful and enjoyable spy story/chick litt...
Olivia Joules appears as an empty headed girl, and then turns up to be a lot stronger than expected. I particularly apreciated her rules for living.
Thank you for sharing this book.
I'll send it to the next in line as soon as I have the adress. 

Journal Entry 46 by Brujula from Valenciennes, Nord-Pas-de-Calais France on Monday, July 31, 2006

I mailed it to soleille today!

Sorry for the delay (the packing tape kept sticking to my fingers these past days, now it's cooler, so I managed to pack the book and take it to the post office!) 

Journal Entry 47 by soleille from Leipzig, Sachsen Germany on Tuesday, August 08, 2006

Oh, I'm sooo looking forward to aqnother Helen Fielding - and this book is easily the one with the most journal entries I've ever seen - thanks for sending this ring! 

Journal Entry 48 by soleille from Leipzig, Sachsen Germany on Thursday, August 24, 2006

I LOVED this book! Delightful, hilarious and easy on the brain as I'd expected from Helen Fielding, but unless Bridget Jones, this one has an actual story full of suspense! Sooo great (and the 8 is because I'm a snob who can't imagine giving chick-lit a 10, although I really enjoyed it!)
Thanks for the ring!!!
The book will travel to rosiewhippet next week when I have her address and am vacationing in London. 

Journal Entry 49 by rosiewhippet from Fenstanton, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom on Thursday, August 31, 2006

Received safe and sound. Thank you.

Rosiewhippet. x 

Journal Entry 50 by rosiewhippet from Fenstanton, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom on Thursday, August 31, 2006

ops
 

Journal Entry 51 by rosiewhippet from Fenstanton, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom on Monday, October 16, 2006

Journal Entry 52 by rosiewhippet at sending to fellow bookcrosser in Audubon, New Jersey USA on Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Released 5 yrs ago (10/16/2006 UTC) at sending to fellow bookcrosser in Audubon, New Jersey USA

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Hope you enjoy as much as I did!

Rosiewhippet. x 

Journal Entry 53 by surfenkitten from Audubon, New Jersey USA on Monday, October 30, 2006

what a fun story. i was alternately laughing my head off & holding my breath. was interested in the comments from other readers--flakiness? Bridget Jones was queen of the flakes, if i remember correctly. but Olivia had independence & a sense of adventure that Bridget wouldn't have been able to touch. would Bridget have learned to scuba dive without a man to impress? would she have helped save people after a bomb went off? did we forget that these are two different characters?

i also thought the Bin Laden thing was a bit much, and the Oscars scene with all the name dropping had me rolling my eyes. some of the humor, too, was lost in the suspense. i thought the whole espionage-cheesy thing was hilarious. it was supposed to be cliched! my favorite bit was the travels in central america. and of course, the rules for living:

'16. If you start regretting something and thinking, "I should have done..." always add, "but then I might have been run over by a lorry or blown up by a Japanese-manned torpedo."'

thanks for sharing, allbookedup. pm'ing crystalainey for her address!