Journal Entry 1 by Mistlerose from Frankston, Victoria Australia on Sunday, August 08, 2004

I really enjoyed this one. it has two books in it, 84 Charing Cross Road and The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street.

84 Charing Cross Road is letters between Miss Helene Hanff and the sellers of rare and secondhand books Messers Marks and Co.

The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street is a diary of Helene Hanff's adventures when she finally gets to England and about the people she meets.

This was a very easy read and parts were amusing.

 

Journal Entry 2 by Mistlerose at Post office in Bookray, A Bookray -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, September 14, 2004

Released 7 yrs ago (9/14/2004 UTC) at Post office in Bookray, A Bookray -- Controlled Releases

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Journal Entry 3 by Gooby from Melbourne, Victoria Australia on Wednesday, September 22, 2004

Journal Entry 4 by Gooby from Melbourne, Victoria Australia on Wednesday, October 20, 2004

One I've always wanted to read. Enjoyed the letters, the tour of English literature and the insights into post-war London. The second part (book) I also found interesting, but I think her descriptions of how everyone loved her book made me love it a little less.

Thanks for the ring, Mistlerose! Posted it on today to miss-gonewest. 

Journal Entry 5 by miss-gonewest from Perth, Western Australia Australia on Wednesday, October 27, 2004

This little book was waiting for me on Monday night when I got home and I managed to sneak in a few pages... I am trying to remember if I have read this (years ago) but its all still new & exciting so maybe not?

I should be finished with this by the weekend and will post my final thoughts then.

Thanks for sending this on Gooby. 

Journal Entry 6 by miss-gonewest from Perth, Western Australia Australia on Thursday, November 25, 2004

This was an interesting book - I have always wanted to read it and I am glad I got the chance.

I did however find it a bit 'grating' in parts - maybe it was the marked difference in the American & the English journals. I found her attitude quite brash at times, but mainly I skipped those parts.

I found the second part of the book far more enjoyable - it rounded the story out and I found myself warming to the author much more. In fact I ended up respecting her and liking her.

I think I may just have to track down the movie (since I am laid up with a broken arm, hence the delay in getting the book moving & journalled). I would like to see how the book transposes to the screen.

Thanks for the chance to read this Mistlerose. 

Journal Entry 7 by miss-gonewest from Perth, Western Australia Australia on Monday, January 03, 2005

As I was the last stop in this ray, I am offering this back up to BX'ers to share around.

Its only a wee, small, paperback (well loved in condition) so should be a cheaper book to post on.

Just keep passing the book on, or wild release if you are the last.

Listing for Book Ray (as at 27th May 2005):

1. Bulan-Purnama, US, prefers US postage
2. mysterylady36, Missouri, will post anywhere
3. tnelson99, Missouri, will post anywhere
4. Pam99, UK, will post anywhere
5. Vikki, Japan, will post anywhere
6. tirppis, Finland, will post anywhere
7. Kiwiwonder, Auckland NZ, will post anywhere
8. Carlynlee, Australia, will post anywhere
8. czersk, Minnesota, will post anywhere
9. Drusillamac, Glasgow-Scotland, will post anywhere
10. Diamondlucy, Graz, Austria, Euro post preferred
11. sunlightbub, UK, will post anywhere

BOOKRAY CONTINUING AGAIN! See below for participants!
This is one well travelled book. Well done!

 

Journal Entry 8 by miss-gonewest at Bookray in BOOKRAY, Bookray -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, January 11, 2005

Released 7 yrs ago (1/11/2005 UTC) at Bookray in BOOKRAY, Bookray -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

Posted today (from Perth, WA) to Bulan Purnama in the USA, via Airmail as normal mail (ie. unregistered/uncertified, as requested)

I hope you enjoy the book. 

Journal Entry 9 by Bulan-Purnama from Springfield, Oregon USA on Thursday, January 20, 2005

Book arrived safely this afternoon in Springfield, Oregon. Included with the book is a nice note, which I will enclose for the next person. I have started to read the book. When I am finsihed, I will make another journal.

By the way, the little book looked like a well seasoned traveller.

Back to reading again....... 

Journal Entry 10 by Bulan-Purnama from Springfield, Oregon USA on Saturday, January 29, 2005

Journal Entry 11 by Bulan-Purnama at post office in Walterville, Oregon USA on Monday, January 31, 2005

Released 7 yrs ago (1/31/2005 UTC) at post office in Walterville, Oregon USA

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:


Book is on its way this monday morning by media mail to misterylady36. Hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I did. 

Journal Entry 12 by mysterylady36 from Ashland, Missouri USA on Friday, February 04, 2005

Arrived safe and sound. Thank you! 

Journal Entry 13 by mysterylady36 from Ashland, Missouri USA on Tuesday, February 08, 2005

I just started reading this and was so into it that before I knew it, I was already on page 34. I can see that it is going to be hard to put down. So far it makes me sad that small bookstores like Marks & Co, Booksellers are probably very hard to find these days. 

Journal Entry 14 by mysterylady36 from Ashland, Missouri USA on Tuesday, February 15, 2005

I just finished this tonight. Real life kind of got in the way or I would have had it finished a whole lot sooner.

I agree with miss-gonewest about Helene's attitude, but I think she was just being outrageous in her letters like many of us are on the internet. It's much easier to behave that way when we are somewhat anonymous. I do think that she showed her true colors by all the thoughtful gifts she sent to everyone regularly.

Thanks for sharing this with me. I have the next address and it will be on its way soon. 

Journal Entry 15 by mysterylady36 from Ashland, Missouri USA on Tuesday, February 22, 2005

Mailed to tnelson today. 

Journal Entry 16 by tnelson99 from Festus, Missouri USA on Friday, February 25, 2005

I received this one in the mail yesterday and it's on my TBR pile now....will get to it soon. THANKS! 

Journal Entry 17 by tnelson99 from Festus, Missouri USA on Monday, March 28, 2005

I got through half of this book, but just couldnt concentrate on it. I am PM'ing the next person and will get it out to them as soon as I receive their address. THANKS MUCH! 

Journal Entry 18 by pam99 from Troon, Scotland United Kingdom on Thursday, April 07, 2005

arrived today, I'm halfway through the one (short) book ahead of it, look forward to reading this one! 

Journal Entry 19 by pam99 from Troon, Scotland United Kingdom on Saturday, April 09, 2005

A lovely little book, I particularly enjoyed the letters section. I was in London last October and spent the best part of a day pottering around second hand bookshops on Charing Cross Road, I can imagine just the place. Will mail to Vikki on Monday. 

Journal Entry 20 by Vikki from Hirosaki / 弘前市, Aomori-ken Japan on Wednesday, May 04, 2005

I loved this book - read it in two days! Hanff has a wicked sense of humour. I agree she can be quite brash at times but she does it in such an endearing way that it's hard to take offense. And she is obviously a very generous person. Even though I liked both books, I enjoyed the letters more. I particularly enjoyed watching the relationships between Hanff and the bookshop employees unfold and blossom into full friendships.

On its way to tirppis today. 

Journal Entry 21 by AnonymousFinder on Thursday, May 19, 2005

I got the book yesterday, and I already finished the actual 84 Charing Cross Road, i.e. the letters.... I just can't put it down! I guess I'll be finished with the whole book some time soon.

CAUGHT IN HELSINKI FINLAND 

Journal Entry 22 by tirppis on Thursday, May 19, 2005

Yes it's me, I just forgot to log in before writing... that's what you get when you're too excited about a book! 

Journal Entry 23 by tirppis on Sunday, May 22, 2005

I really enjoyed the book, I finished it in two days! I preferred the actual "84, Charing Cross Road" book, even if the other one was very pleasant also and completed the story nicely. As someone said, the second book makes you appriciate the writer more, but still I liked the letters where development of a rather particular relationship is more exciting.

The only complaint I have is that the book(s) were too short, especially when reading the letters I always wanted to see the ones that were missing. All the time I had the sensation to be missing on something, more and more so near the end of the book. I don't know if all the letters could just not be found or if this was a deliberate choise. Anyway I was glad that I got to read the book, thank you for the bookring!

I will be sending this out hopefully tomorrow. 

Journal Entry 24 by KiwiWonder from Auckland, Auckland Province New Zealand on Friday, June 10, 2005

Was waiting for me when I arrived home from overseas. Have a few in front of it, but hope to get to it soon. 

Journal Entry 25 by KiwiWonder from Auckland, Auckland Province New Zealand on Friday, July 15, 2005

A good book, but probably not one of my all time favorites. Although I liked (and related to, somewhat) 84 Charring Cross Road, I actually much preferred The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street. I found it easier to read and a lot more "real", and can just imagine myself there. As someone who's travelled overseas in part due to long distance friendships / relationships, I could understand her culture shock at the same time as experiancing her love of England through her. A quick and easy read, but it doesn't feel, for some reason, like it'll stick with me.

PM'd Carlynlee twice with no response, moving on to czersk.... 

Journal Entry 26 by Carlynlee from Perth, Western Australia Australia on Monday, August 08, 2005

Received book in the mail today and am looking forward to reading this one. Thanks for your pm's Kiwiwonder. 

Journal Entry 27 by miss-gonewest from Perth, Western Australia Australia on Saturday, October 15, 2005

15th October Update - have sent several PM's to Carlynlee to see how she is going with this book... hopefully it will be moving along again soon. 

Journal Entry 28 by Carlynlee from Perth, Western Australia Australia on Wednesday, October 19, 2005

Sorry for taking so long to respond to your PM's Miss Gone West....things have been rather hectic for me of late!

I am about a third of the way through this gorgeous little book; I will try to speed things along and forward asap.

Okay I've now finished. Thank you everyone for being so patient! What a sweet, sweet book. I particularly enjoyed the second 'book' with it's sometimes hilarious view of Brits and their ways.

The book is on it's way to czersk. 

Journal Entry 29 by Czersk from Roscoe, Minnesota USA on Wednesday, January 18, 2006

It's here! I'm excited to read this one. I am going to London this summer, and we are definately spending at least a day on Charing Cross Road- I have heard great things about the bookstores on that street. Well, must go read! Thanks everyone! 

Journal Entry 30 by Czersk from Roscoe, Minnesota USA on Friday, January 27, 2006

Well this was just perfectly lovely! I even considered skipping work the morning I started 84 Charing Cross Road just so I could sit down and read it all at once- but of course I went to work like a responsible person (I do have a trip to London to fund). I just loved reading the letters. While reading I never considered Helene to be abrasive at all- I just thought she was funny, and understood that Frank thought so too. I didn't want the letters to end. I enjoyed The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street very much- especially with all the helpful descriptions of London that made me really excited for my trip- but it just didn't compare to my love for 84 Charing Cross Road. I think I need my own copy of this- I'd use it as a kind of guide. But maybe I'll wait and see if I can find a copy ON Charing Cross Road. Wouldn't that be even better? I think so :D

Thanks everyone for sharing. I really loved it.

Off to the next . . . 

Journal Entry 31 by Drusillamac from Glasgow, Scotland United Kingdom on Saturday, February 04, 2006

Wow, this book got here fast. Thanks for sharing miss-gonewest and Czersk. I have a few other rings in front of this one so I should get to it soon. 

Journal Entry 32 by Drusillamac from Glasgow, Scotland United Kingdom on Monday, February 13, 2006

I picked up a copy of this book in my local charity shop this morning. At the moment I am snowed under with rings so I decided to buy the above copy and send this one onto others so it's fair.

Off to DiamondLucy when I get an address :-) 

Journal Entry 33 by Diamondlucy from Graz, Steiermark Austria on Tuesday, February 28, 2006

Got the book while I was away snowboarding. I love my neighbour, he takes all my parcels! Will read it soon because I got another book to sent to sunlightbub!


A very nice book! Sorry for the huge delay, I was in hospital with a sound illness for two months... 

Journal Entry 34 by Diamondlucy at by mail in To the next participant, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Monday, July 10, 2006

Released 5 yrs ago (7/11/2006 UTC) at by mail in To the next participant, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

Finally this book travel to the next one! 

Journal Entry 35 by sunlightbub from Wallasey, Merseyside United Kingdom on Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Got it!! This ones been all over the place hasn't it!
I'm in bookring hell at the moment..4 here before this, but will get to it as soon as I possibly can..and then keep it traveling..Thanks all for getting it this far!

The ray will continue:
PurpleElephant ( Uk)
Lovesbooks05 (UK)
Playinghearts ( UK/UK)
Hawkette ( UK/Anywhere)
Teuffi ( uk/anywhere)
Dutchbooky ( Holland/Anywhere)
Marko167 ( Switz/ Anywhere)
MaryT ( Germany /?)
Janey-Canuck ( Can/US)
bakerwhencan ( US/US)


 

Journal Entry 36 by sunlightbub from Wallasey, Merseyside United Kingdom on Monday, August 14, 2006

Witty, moving, special..everyone else will have said what i felt..If you haven't seen the film with Anne Bancroft and Anthony Hopkins, it's also fab..A great book for booklovers, so a perfect choice for a ray!!

( BTW Hanff is one demanding customer!!) 

Journal Entry 37 by PurpleElephant from Glastonbury, Somerset United Kingdom on Monday, August 21, 2006

Thanks for passing the book on sunlightbub. I have two bookring books ahead of this but will get to it as soon as I can. 

Journal Entry 38 by PurpleElephant from Glastonbury, Somerset United Kingdom on Sunday, September 17, 2006

Sorry to all on this list. I've been snowed under with college work in the past month and have got a little behind with my bookrings and rays.
I hope to get this book read by the end of next week, I hope this is OK. If anyone has a problem with this and would rather I passed the book on without reading it then feel free to PM me.
Sorry once again. 

Journal Entry 39 by PurpleElephant from Glastonbury, Somerset United Kingdom on Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Apologies to everyone that it took me so long to read this book but I was snowed under with study work. Thankfully I have now finished my degree and this was the first book I picked up 'for pleasure' and read the whole thing cover to cover in a day.
And what a treat. I was completely enchanted by Hanff's lively enthusiasm and slightly quirky sense of humour although I do feel she could have published her shopping list and made it sound enthralling.

I wonder why the cover of the book does not acknowledge that this copy includes The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street? It seems strange to me.

Lovesbooks05, Playinghearts and Hawkette have acquired copies elsewhere (I think there's another bookring running parallel to this one) so have contacted Teuffi for an address... if not will keep going until I get a taker... 

Journal Entry 40 by teuffi from Wandsworth, Greater London United Kingdom on Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Received the book today in the post, thanks a lot for the card PurpleElephant!
Looking forward to reading it! 

Journal Entry 41 by teuffi from Wandsworth, Greater London United Kingdom on Friday, November 03, 2006

Absolutely loved this book! Prefered the letters story but the second story makes me want to discover some of the places Helen Hanff mentions, I'll probably try to get another copy of this book to re-read it and give myself the task of visiting all the London places from the book!

Also loved having this book that has travelled so much in my hands, especially because 84 Charing Cross Road is about second hand book that have a history... This is just the best book for bookcrossing! I'm sure Mrs Hanff would have loved this! 

Journal Entry 42 by teuffi from Wandsworth, Greater London United Kingdom on Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Did not hear from MaryT so sent the book to dutchbooky today. Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 43 by dutchbooky from Amsterdam, Noord-Holland Netherlands on Sunday, November 19, 2006

WOW! This book has been travelling criss cross around the globe! I started reading it already, but I have 3 books to finish before this one. I really look forward to reading it, so I might just do it in between, reading a couple of letters at a time! 

Journal Entry 44 by dutchbooky from Amsterdam, Noord-Holland Netherlands on Friday, December 08, 2006

Loved this book, although I enjoyed the diary about Hanff's trip to London more than the letters. I am not really in to books by writers she loves, but I might give a couple of them a try in future.

I'll PM Marko to find out if he's ready to receive it. If so, I'll send it to him this weekend. Enjoy!

Edit: in the mail on December 11! 

Journal Entry 45 by marko167 from Sant Pere de Ribes, Barcelona Spain on Friday, December 22, 2006

Received safe and sound. Will try to read over the silly season. 

Journal Entry 46 by marko167 from Sant Pere de Ribes, Barcelona Spain on Friday, January 26, 2007

Pleasant little book that took all of one bath to read. Fascinating record of correspondence between parties after WWII.

I loved the details around the rationing that went on in the UK after the war and how little gifts could come to mean so much.

Haven't decided whther or not to read the second book. Depends on how long the next member takes before responding to my PM. 

Journal Entry 47 by marko167 at BookRing in Book Ring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, February 01, 2007

Released 5 yrs ago (1/30/2007 UTC) at BookRing in Book Ring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

Ooops for got to make release notes. Anyway, the book was sent off for the very short trip accross the border to the land of suasages, sauerkraut and Oktoberfest. 

Journal Entry 48 by Mary-T from Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg Germany on Friday, February 09, 2007

arrived... but not in Bavaria ;) -but in "three-boarder-corner" Mannheim (near to Hessen, Rheinland-Pfalz and located in Baden-Württemberg)
I'm looking forward to read this since I heard of it... Anyway - I fear it will take me a while to read since a lot of books wait to be read here at the moment and I will be off to vacation in Egypt soon.
But I will try to be able to send this along to the next participant not too late.

23.4.07
Well - sorry for the long time I've kept this.
I just read it and I have to say there are some really witty letters. But for the majority this got a bit boring for me. (maybe also 'cause I don't really know all the books, Helene's talking about) I also couldn't read this from beginning to end in once. Well - I expected something a bit different, I guess.
Anyway - thanks a lot for the oppertunity to read this.

As soon as I receive the next address this will be on its way again. 

Journal Entry 49 by janey-canuck from Guelph, Ontario Canada on Monday, June 04, 2007

Received in the mail today. Thanks! 

Journal Entry 50 by janey-canuck from Guelph, Ontario Canada on Friday, June 08, 2007

This is just a delightful little read! I wish there were more letters to read, I feel I missed a lot of the relationship building that went on. What was there was often hilarious and I giggled right out loud through most of the books. I wasn't sure I was going to read the second one, but as I didn't have an address before I finished 84, Charing Cross Road, I gave it a try and thoroughly enjoyed it. The one thing lacking for me was an explanation of why the bookshop closed - maybe I just missed it as I sped through this.

I have bakerwhencan's address and I will get this out soon! Most likely on Monday when I'm done work. 

Journal Entry 51 by bakerwhencan from San Francisco, California USA on Friday, June 15, 2007

Arrived today! Thank you.

Will post after the read. 

Journal Entry 52 by bakerwhencan from San Francisco, California USA on Saturday, June 23, 2007

I enjoyed this so much! A big pleasure. I read it in one night (84 Charing) and then the Duchess, after.

The friendships that started, the generosity, the literature references, and the sassy personalites made this a pleasure.

This is being mailed today to Shorty04 in Kentucky who has this on her wishlist. I couldn't have this book not traveling right away.

Thank you sunlightbulb and janey-canuck!
 

Journal Entry 53 by shorty04 from Brownsville, Kentucky USA on Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Got this in today. Thnaks so much bakerwhencan for the wish list RABCK! 

Journal Entry 54 by shorty04 from Brownsville, Kentucky USA on Thursday, July 05, 2007

This is a delightful book! I devoured it in one sitting. It's a wonderful collection of letters between the author and employees of a bookstore in London. 

Journal Entry 55 by shorty04 from Brownsville, Kentucky USA on Thursday, July 05, 2007