BookRing started 07Sep04
Here is the order of the ring! When the book arrives, please PM the next person to get their mailing address so that you will be ready to ship the book as soon as you are finished reading it. Please keep the book moving along. This is a fast moving bookring, 2-3 weeks, 21 days. There is a LONG list of participants, so please do not keep the book more than 21 days. I will keep the order of the bookring on this journal entry (in case there are any changes or additions). Please journal when the book arrives, and when you send it so that everyone can follow the book along (if they want to). Thanks!
I now have two copies of this book running simultaneously.

Copy A is now Round 1, USA. Copy B is now Round 1, non-USA.

Here is the order for Round 1, USA, copy A, started 07Sep04:
1. tenneh - Nebraska Rec'd 09Sep04 - Sent 15Sep04 6 days
2. angelfirestar - Nebraska Rec'd 15Sep04 - sent 18Oct04 33 days
3. stormybreeze - Oklahoma Rec'd 20Oct04 - sent 01Nov04 12 days
4. ghaweyn - Colorado Rec'd 12Nov04 - sent 09Jan05 58 days
5. shellyann - California asked to be skipped Dec04
6. yourotherleft - Pennsylvania Rec'd 12Jan05 - sent 06Jun05 146 days
7. amaradevinmom - APO/AE *asked in her profile to be skipped Dec04
Here is the order Round 1, non-USA, copy B, started 30Dec04:
8. katcolorado - Switzerland Rec'd 23Feb05 - sent 26Feb05 3 days
9. concertina8 - Austria asked to be skipped Feb05
10. brujula - France Rec'd 09Mar05 - sent 04Apr05 26 days
11. tantan - Australia Rec'd 16Jun05 - sent 18Jul05 32 days
12. sally906 - Australia *asked to be skipped Apr05
13. sherlockfan - New Zealand *asked to be skipped Jul05
14. aceofhearts - Canada Rec'd 05Oct05 - sent 09Oct05 4 days

Here is the order for Round 2, USA, copy A:
1. your-book-fairy - New York (ship anywhere) Rec'd 10Jun05 - sent 20Jun05 10 days
3. lorit5 - Maryland (ship USA) Rec'd 27Jun05 - sent 01Oct05 66 days
4. explorer1118m - New Jersey (ship USA) Rec'd 07Oct05 - sent 10Oct05 3 days
5. reader1107 - Wisconsin (ship anywhere) Rec'd 14Oct05 - sent 23Nov05 21 days
6. Luintaurien - Nebraska (ship anywhere) *asked to be skipped Oct05
7. Suefitz - California *did not respond to PMs Nov05, skipped.

Here is the order Round 2, non-USA, copy B:
8. nikel27 - Germany (ship anywhere) Rec'd 16Nov05 - sent 20Dec05 34 days
9. dodau - United Kingdom (ship anywhere) Rec'd 13Jan06 - sent 13Jan06 1 day
10. kbudgie - Malta (ship anywhere) Rec'd 07Mar06 - sent _____ _ days <- Copy B is stalled here!
11. LindyLouMac - Italy *asked to be removed Apr06
12. arcticgirl64 - Norway *asked to be removed Dec06 since this ring stalled
13. Ftarazu - Porugal (ship EU)
14. elsita - Portugal (ship anywhere)
15. frangipani04 - Portugal *asked to be removed Jan07 since this ring stalled
16. Suefitz - California USA (ship anywhere)
back to sp4home

Here is the order for Round 3, USA, copy A:
1. dionnelynn - Maryland (ship USA) *did not respond to PMs Nov05, skipped.
2. queensknob - Virginia (ship USA) Rec'd 26Nov05 - sent 01Dec05 5 days
3. mnewman - Oregon (ship USA) Rec'd 05Dec05 - sent 09Dec05 4 days
4. heartsong2 - Nebraska (ship USA/Can) Rec'd 19Dec05 - sent 28Dec05 9 days
5. nancydotslash - Texas (ship USA) Rec'd 04Jan06 - sent 06Jan06 2 days
6. MazieNH - New Hampshire (ship USA/Int'l) Rec'd 12Jan06 - sent 17Jan06 5 days
back to sp4home Rec'd 23Jan06 <- Copy A Completed!

From Amazon.com: New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult is widely acclaimed for her keen insights into the hearts and minds of real people. Now she tells the emotionally riveting story of a family torn apart by conflicting needs and a passionate love that triumphs over human weakness.

Anna is not sick, but she might as well be. By age thirteen, she has undergone countless surgeries, transfusions, and shots so that her older sister, Kate, can somehow fight the leukemia that has plagued her since childhood. The product of preimplantation genetic diagnosis, Anna was conceived as a bone marrow match for Kate -- a life and a role that she has never challenged...until now. Like most teenagers, Anna is beginning to question who she truly is. But unlike most teenagers, she has always been defined in terms of her sister -- and so Anna makes a decision that for most would be unthinkable, a decision that will tear her family apart and have perhaps fatal consequences for the sister she loves.

My Sister's Keeper examines what it means to be a good parent, a good sister, a good person. Is it morally correct to do whatever it takes to save a child's life, even if that means infringing upon the rights of another? Is it worth trying to discover who you really are, if that quest makes you like yourself less? Should you follow your own heart, or let others lead you? Once again, in My Sister's Keeper, Jodi Picoult tackles a controversial real-life subject with grace, wisdom, and sensitivity.

Wow! What a great book! I couldn't put it down! I really enjoyed this book...there were twists and turns that I didn't see coming. The characters were great. I don't want to say too much and spoil it for you. I hadn't read a book written in this style before, but I did enjoy the style.

I did wish that the brother's character had more details. There is some "language" sprinkled about the book, here and there, but not excessive and it did fit the characters at the time. There is a lot of medical terms, but that did not seem to be a barrier for me.

I would recommend this book.

RELEASE NOTES:

The book is on it's way!

Received today - will start right away! Thanks!

Great book!! I was totally absorbed by this book and loved the writing style. Surprising twists that kept me totally into it! Gotta get more Jodi Picoult!!

Going to AngelfireStar today.

To be read

CAUGHT IN VERDON NEBRASKA USA

Very good book. It was very easy to get into and very gripping.

RELEASE NOTES:

sent to StormyBreeze

This book is part of a bookring hosted by sp4home. It arrived today 10-18-04 I am currently reading a book which should be done by this weekend so I can start on this one and send it on. Thanks for letting me join. This is my first bookring. Breezy Elk City Okla

This book has it all it will make you cry laugh and really not like a couple of people in the book. Will be sending it out to the next person on the list. Thanks Breezy Elk City Okla

I just got this today. It is next on my list to be read after The Secret History. I promise I am reading as fast as possible.

Oh My Gosh!! What a great book! It was a quick read. I hated every time I had to put it down. I love how the author keeps switching points of view. It keeps the characters from being 2D. I highly recommend this book to many.

I feel like a complete moron. I received this and was sure I had journaled it, but then...it turns out I hadn't... Sorry about that! Anyhow, I'll read it and pass it on as soon as possible.

After a long journey across the Ocean My Sister's Keeper landed in my mailbox today. Thx a lot for sending it to me sp4home! I will read it as soon as I've finished the book I'm currently reading.

There are so many parts in this book that touched me deeply

The image of the small Kate and her parents when they discovered how sick she was, how much she and later Anna had to suffer, it made me shudder and scared me because of my children.

The story about the sun and the moon and the stars, I liked Anna's theory of the creation of men.

Sara's love for both of her daughters, it would have been easy to hate her, but the book doesn't allow it.

Brian's love for his family and his pride, when he wanted to be the one to pay for Kate's treatment.

Jesse who had to destroy because he couldn't help saving Kate.

The crazy explanations Campell gives for his dog, they made me smile and guess what Judge was really about.

The different views the book gives to the reader, when each character takes the leading part.

The end which was just too much to bear but in a way it fit perfectly.

Thx a lot for organizing this bookring sp4home!

RELEASE NOTES:

I will send the book to Brujula in France tomorrow.

This book arrived safely in France. Thank you!

A good novel about a real ethic problem.
The end was some kind of "tour de passe-passe", and I didn't like it that much. But the characters were so real and well described, it was almost like a real story.

I'm waiting for tantan's adress to mail it on!

mailed to tantan today!

yourotherleft should have sent the book on 02Feb05.

28May05: I sent a PM to yourotherleft requesting an update, and requesting that the book be sent along.
31May05: yourotherleft replied to me and said that she would be mailing the book by the end of this week.
06Jun05: I sent a PM to yourotherleft requesting an update.

The end of this book made me cry shamelessly. It was so good, there was so much good about that I can't put my finger on quite what made me like it so much. I loved that I felt that I knew the characters, and I was really just taken in by Anna. I feel like Picoult really did a good job giving each of her characters their own distinct voice. I loved that each of the characters seemed to be able to find insight in ordinary things that related to their situation, and I loved all of Campbell's funny explanations for his dog and what Anna's small realization of what he and Kate have in common in the end. I won't say because I don't want to spoil any of this wonderful book. Thanks for sharing, sp4home (and for being so patient with me!!).

I'm off to the post office today to mail this to your-book-fairy.

What perfect timing, I just finished a book yesterday and have been thumbing through a magazine today, wondering what I'd read next. I usually like to see everyone's comments on a book right when I get it, but this time I'll try waiting and not read the reviews until I've finished the book. Thanks sp4home for getting the book back out on the road, I'll be journaling again soon!

Just like most others, I had a hard time putting this book down. I really liked the style the book was written in since the story was best served by representing many people's perspectives and I think the author chose the best way of doing that while also providing the backstory we needed and also moving the main story forward. I do agree that the brother could have been a little more developed, but the fact that he was so peripheral in the novel was apt, I suppose, considering how overshadowed he was in the family's life.

I wish I hadn't read the end of this book while I had company over, otherwise it probably would have made me cry as well, especially since I just had my first daughter two weeks ago so all these parenting issues and concerns about a sick child really hit home. I did have some mixed feelings about the ending, it seemed just a tiny bit like a Lifetime movie, but despite that I really really enjoyed this book. I'm waiting now for lorit5's address and will mail the book along as soon as I have it.

Received today. It's a couple down on the pile, but I'll get to it as soon as possible.

I received this in the mail today for the bookring. I am working on another bookring right now and then on to this book. I can't wait to read it. Thank you!!

Wow! Jodi Picoult is never afraid to tackle the hard issues, and she always does it with such a great deal of sensitivity. She is rapidly becoming one of my all-time favourite authors. This book had me laughing, and it would also have had me crying if I hadn't been reading the last couple of chapters at work in my lunch hour. I love Picoult's books - she always makes me think without making for difficult reading.

This will be heading off to sherlockfan as soon as I have an address.

Sherlockfan asked to be skipped, so this has been posted off to AceofHearts today via surface mail.

received today
TBR

recieved yesterday & will read as soon as i finish my current book, also a bookring.

I have mailed this to the next person as I will not be able to read this in the time constraints

Received this book today as part of a book ring. I have no other rings going and will start on this right away! Thanks for including me!

OMG, I actually stopped playing Sims2 and sat down and read this book in three days!! What a totally fascinating book! The changing POVs took me a while to get used to. I did want to smack mom a bit. I remember a true story along these lines in the news recently (in the last couple of years) with the older sister being much older, and I thought of that case while I read this.

I PM'd Suefitz on October 15th, but haven't heard back yet with an address.

arrived safe at my house; Copy B

update:
thanks for sharing this great book with me. this was my second book by this author and I loved it.
With lots of emotion till the last page

RELEASE NOTES:

The copy I had is now on its way to queensknob, and it is THRILLED to finally be leaving for a new adventure! USPS delivery confirmation #: 0305 1720 0002 3649 0398

Thanks again for letting me read this book!

Received book today, and I will PM the next person in line as I will start the book tomorrow...thanks for allowing me in the bookring!
Finished! What a great book! Sending on December 1, 2005 to mnewman.

Received in the mail today from heartsong2 and I've pmed heartsong2 Will journal again when I've read it and am ready to mail.

Thanx for allowing me to be a part of this ring

finished reading today. Excellent book. So good I stayed up most of the night to finish it!! This is the second book I've read by Jodi Picoult and it's just as good and emotional as The Pact. I will put this in the mail tomarrow to heartsong2 in Nebraska.

Mailed 12-09-05

RELEASE NOTES:

Copy B travels again to the UK

Arrived in post today! Look forward to getting started! Thank you!

Hmm. Wasn't quite what I expected. Not sure what to say. Very intriguing subject matter. I couldn't stop talking about the story. It was hard to read. My 4 year old daughter's name is Kate, and the descriptions of the Kate in the story at age 2 made me not too sure I was going to be able to keep reading. But I did. Thank you for sharing with me.

Plan to post on Wednesday--that will be my next chance to get to the post office. I have the next address ready to go!

Thanks again for sharing!

I've been looking forward to this book, it arrived today. Thanks for this bookring!!!!

I just opened the book, and the whole back is broken.
I just wanted you to know that I didn't treat your book badly, it arrived in this condition. (Sorry to make another journal entry on it.)....Anyway, thanks for sharing this book w/me!

I was going to buy this book, but then I talked myself out of it. I remember seeing something on TV about parents who did just what this book deals with, and the ethical, moral questions just left me shaking my head, in non-belief. I just can’t get my head around the idea that loving parents would be so desperate to save their one child, that they would have another one genetically designed to be harvested for parts! I was glad to have a chance to read this as a ring. SPOILER ALERT-- Do not read the rest of my observations if you haven't read this story....

I felt in places that the author was writing like a corny adolescent, - too soppy. The romanticisms, the metaphors! IMHO the characters were unreal. For example, would parents actually be so wrapped up in one of their kid’s life/death struggle, that they would sit and do nothing about another child who was obviously taking lots of drugs and trying to kill himself -over a number of years? Would they be that blinded and unable to function during all that time? I also thought that the characters do and say things that no real person would, I mean, c’mon, how many people do you know (especially 13-yr.-olds) that are this quick-witted or so self-aware? These people never seem to have a conversation that lasts more than 3 or 4 exchanges before exploding, and nothing ever gets explored in depth. This means there are some 400 pages of big dramatic feelings - resentment, guilt, jealousy, anger, bitterness, anxiety, -sheesh.! The ending feels to me like the author just didn't want the story to be resolved. Its sort of like she says- this isn’t an easy story, and there are no easy answers, –and then she turns right around and takes the EASY way out, by picking this ending which resolves nothing.. .The reason I feel this, is because in the end she lets them all off the hook. They didn’t have to make a choice, because fate does it for them. Its like a copout and felt like it was just tacked on there. Am I the only one who saw this coming a mile away?

I imagine this would inspire some heated discussion around the circle of a book club. And maybe that is what she was going for.

I have PM'd MazieNH for her addy and will put this in the mail as soon as I get her addy. Thank you for this ring, it was a fast read for me!

Picked this up at the Post Office box today, thank you for sharing! I just finished my last book, so this is great timing, I will begin it today!

Arrived yesterday. I have already read this so willpass it straight on.

First, thank you for sharing your book(s) - I really, really enjoyed reading this.

This is my first experience with Picoult's work and I look forward to reading more. I found this book well written - a good mixture of a well written, page turning and entertaining story and subject matter that really caused me to think hard abd examine choices I would make in life.

The subject matter of this book struck me hard, as I have a sister currently in remission with ALL Leukemia. I would not hesitate to do whatever I was physically capable of doing to help her if she needed it. However, my situation and Anna's would be completely different.

I found the premise interesting and the small moments very well portrayed - having seen someone I love go through a difficult, painful and frightening treatment, I think a lot of the "softer" moments in the book were very well done.

SPOILERS NOW STOP IF YOIU HAVENT READ IT
From about the first third of the book on, I wondered how as an author I would resolve the story. I did not find the end to be much of a surprise in some ways.

It gave the author an out - it didn't force anyone into a situation where they would lose the reader's sympathy, no matter which side of the debate you happened to fall. I found Kate's request more of a surprise than the eventual outcome of the book.

Overall, I liked the narrative style, the multiple viewpoints was an ingenious way to lobby for support for all characters. I did think Julia's twin was rather unnecessary as a character.

As a side note, I went to Jodi Picoult's website to look at other work she has done, and there is an "email the author" link there. One of very few times I've been moved enough by a work to email an author, I dropped her a line. Imagine my surprise when she emailed me back a few hours later! It wasn't a stock email, it was actually a real response based on what I'd written. I have a great deal of respect for an author who cares enough about her fan base to not only actually read an email, but respond to it!

I put the book in the mail to sp4home today, good journey little book! (The binding, just so you know, was already cracked when it arrived here, I don't want you to think it was damaged while in my care).

Copy A has arrived back in Iowa. After so many readers, and so many trips through the post, the Copy A will be "retired". Thanks to everyone for participating!

Copy B is still out there being shared. :o)

Looking forward to getting stuck in to this book though I received 2 ring books at the same time so I will be as quick as I can!!!

I have sent a second pm to arcticgirl64 (first one sent in May) for her address - maybe she did not get the first one :(