Journal Entry 1 by WarEagle78 from Hoover, Alabama USA on Sunday, August 29, 2004

I've waited for about a year for this book to arrive from kayter's bookring, but she finally had to declare it dead. So I picked up a copy at a close-out sale, and have enjoyed it. I've offered it as a replacement ring for others who were on the first ring.

As a daughter of the South, Ward's story resonates with humor and truth. Her descriptions of, and longing for, her childhood in Meridian MS perhaps could only be understood from the same area. I wonder how this book will be received by those who are not native Southern women.

I'm offering this book as a substitute for kayter's bookring... but so far only one taker. I'll send the book on while I list it in the bookring forum.

Starting with.....
grover3d (W Va)
shellyann (CA)
Mamikaem (MO)
ladytrucker53 (MO)
mysterylady36 (MO)
dvg (NJ)
...looks like it's heading home unless I get another request...

then back to WarEagle78 (AL)

THIS RING IS DONE!


 

Journal Entry 2 by grover3d from Charleston, West Virginia USA on Thursday, September 16, 2004

It's here - looking forward to it. Thanks! 

Journal Entry 3 by grover3d from Charleston, West Virginia USA on Sunday, September 26, 2004

When I was about halfway through HOMESICK I thought that it wasn't a great memoir....Ward covers most different areas of her life with about two-three pages, and I kept thinking "I want to hear MORE about Alabama, about her involvement with Chi Omega, about her celebrity relationships and why they failed" and I thought it wasn't a great book. Then I realized that the book isn't intended to be an all-encompassing memoir of Ward's life, but rather is a focused piece about her love affair with the South and her family - and what a story it is! As a misplaced Southerner I completely identified with Ward's observations, and her laments that growing up just isn't what it used to be.

The books charms don't stop there. Much attention is given to the illness and death of Ward's mother, and it so closely mirrors my own experiences with the family gathering round for the final days that I was in tears for the last forty pages of the book, including a lovely poem about death. Suffice to say, I'll be looking for my own copy to add to my library. Thank you so much for sharing this book. I don't know that I would have purchased it myself, but I'm so grateful that I had the chance to read it. 

Journal Entry 4 by shellyann from Montrose, Colorado USA on Thursday, October 14, 2004

Just arrived in today's mail. 

Journal Entry 5 by shellyann from Montrose, Colorado USA on Monday, November 15, 2004

Well, I finished this today. I enjoyed this book to a point. The theme of family is one that is to be treaured. I would have loved to see a little more celebrity but the way she touched on values and raising children warmed my heart. I will be contracting the next person and plan to mail off around the 24th. 

Journal Entry 6 by Mamikaem from Maryland Heights, Missouri USA on Wednesday, November 24, 2004

Received this in the mail today. A few other book rings are ahead of it, but I will get to it as soon as I can. Thanks!

UPDATE: 01/03/2004 - finally starting this one today. 

Journal Entry 7 by Mamikaem from Maryland Heights, Missouri USA on Wednesday, January 19, 2005

I have been a fan of Sela Ward since she was on "Sisters" so I enjoyed this book. I really enjoyed all the family photos as well! I agree with the previous readers that there could have been more scoop on her college, New York and Hollywood life. I was left with the impression that she just breezed her way through this part of her life. It seems like everything was handed to her on a silver platter because of her beauty, but I'm sure it was not always that way.

FYI, one of the mysterious "beaus" in Hollywood that she dated for three years was Richard Dean Anderson!

Mailed to ladytrucker53 on 01/21/2005. Thanks to WarEagle78 and all those before me who sent this along! 

Journal Entry 8 by ladytrucker53 from Cuba, Missouri USA on Wednesday, January 26, 2005

Received in the mail today as a Bookring.Will read it as soon as possible and send it on to the next person.
Thanks for sharing! 

Journal Entry 9 by ladytrucker53 from Cuba, Missouri USA on Sunday, February 06, 2005

I really enjoyed reading this book,it brought back alot of memories from my childhood,I was raised in the Midwest but with alot of the same values.I think its great shes helping out in her Hometown!
Thanks for sharing! I will pass it on to the next person on the list. 

Journal Entry 10 by mysterylady36 from Ashland, Missouri USA on Wednesday, March 09, 2005

This arrived yesterday and I have already finished the first chapter. I'm hooked! 

Journal Entry 11 by mysterylady36 from Ashland, Missouri USA on Monday, March 14, 2005

I loved this book! The whole time I was reading it, I could hear Sela Ward speaking the words. She has such a love for her hometown and the south that I think is wonderful. I grew up in the midwest, but experienced many similar things and could identify with the way she speaks about living in a small town. You really do get a chance to connect with people much more than when you live in a bigger city. Sometimes I get frustrated with everyone always knowing what is going on in my life, but overall I wouldn't trade it and live in a big city again for anything.

I will be mailing this out to dvg tomorrow. 

Journal Entry 12 by mysterylady36 from Ashland, Missouri USA on Saturday, March 19, 2005

Mailed earlier this week and I forgot to journal! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. 

Journal Entry 13 by dvg from Flanders, New Jersey USA on Tuesday, March 22, 2005

Received yesterday. Looking forward to reading it!!

Update 4/4/05: Sat down to read it Saturday and finished it before I knew it! I really enjoyed reading this book. I felt like I was sitting with a good friend (Sela) who was telling me her story and I just couldn't put it down. I enjoyed my little afternoon trip with her to the South. Thanks for sharing this book! =) 

Journal Entry 14 by WarEagle78 from Hoover, Alabama USA on Friday, April 15, 2005

This bookring has returned home, in good condition and with thoughtful stickers shared by dvg. This is my second bookring to find its way home... hooray! 

Journal Entry 15 by WarEagle78 from Hoover, Alabama USA on Friday, June 17, 2005

Great excitement! This book will now go out on its second rescue mission!

I originally tried to read this book via kayter's bookring. When it died, I bought the book and finished the ring, plus a few others who joined in. The book has been at home waiting for its next reader.

Now, it's going back out again! Aramena's bookring has died , and this book will finish it.

1. suefitz
2. sweetpea0678
3. Indymomto2 <--- book #1 mailed from here and disappeared into the abyss
4. Helly77 <---restarting ring with this book
5. jenm (asked to be skipped)
6. ladytrucker53 (asked to be skipped)
Then to Aramena (formerly casseytara)!

It will be in the mail as soon as I get an address from Helly77. The book will end up with Aramena to do with as she pleases. Book mailed 6/18/05. 

Journal Entry 16 by Helly77 from Burnley, Lancashire United Kingdom on Monday, August 08, 2005

arrived safe and well, will read and pass on asap (been looking forward to it!) 

Journal Entry 17 by Helly77 from Burnley, Lancashire United Kingdom on Monday, September 05, 2005

I enjoyed this, and being a fan of Sela to start with it was nice to get an insight into her past :)

I will send on as soon as i have an address to send it to. Jenm asked to be skipped, so I have PM'd LadyTrucker..... 

Journal Entry 18 by Helly77 at Bookring in to another bookcrosser, By Post -- Controlled Releases on Monday, October 10, 2005

Released 6 yrs ago (10/10/2005 UTC) at Bookring in to another bookcrosser, By Post -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

going to aramena :) 

Journal Entry 19 by Helly77 from Burnley, Lancashire United Kingdom on Monday, October 10, 2005

Lady Trucker asked to be skipped, so this is back on its way to Aramena 

Journal Entry 20 by Aramena from Moore, Oklahoma USA on Friday, November 25, 2005

Received Wednesday - thank you Helly77, and a big thanks to WarEagle78 for restarting my stalled book ring with her copy! I have two rings in my possession right now, so this is going into my TBR for the time being. 

Journal Entry 21 by Aramena from Moore, Oklahoma USA on Sunday, September 09, 2007

Well, nearly two years later and I finally got around to reading this book! As others said before me, I could hear Sela Ward's voice as I read this. I would have liked to have read more about her time doing Once and Again, which I absolutely loved. The account of her mother was heartbreaking, the descriptions of the last days in the hospital reminded me of when my grandmother passes away, after having lung problems as well.

Anyway, not my favorite memoir, but still an enjoyable time-passer. I checked wishlists, but the only person wishing for this book is actually one of the journalers before me! So I will probably offer this in the forums. 

Journal Entry 22 by Aramena from Moore, Oklahoma USA on Friday, September 14, 2007

I'm sending this to a Trading Pages member (actually the administrator!) for my September trade. She is also a BookCrosser, but I cannot remember her screen name!