Drinking Coffee Elsewhere: Short Stories
Registered by 
SqueakyChu
of Rockville, Maryland USA on 11/8/2004
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
SqueakyChu of Rockville, Maryland USA on 11/8/2004 This Book is Currently in the Wild!
11 journalers for this copy...
I bought this trade paperback at the Friends of the Library used book store in Wheaton, Maryland.
This is a book of short stories which highlights black Americans with ZZ Packer's sharp and witty eye for detail. It was a New York Times Notable Book as well as having been chosen by John Updike as a Today Show Book Club Pick.
On the back of the book, Zadie Smith writes the following: "ZZ Packer writes a short story with more complexity and kindness than most people can muster in their creaking 500-page novels. It's the kind of brilliance for narrative that should make her peers envious and her readers very, very grateful."
If you'd like to join, simply PM me with your mailing preferences. Be aware that mailing order is subject to change at any time due to geography, mailing preference, or originator's whim.
Begin International Bookray (06/17/05)
SqueakyChu (Maryland) done
KarenZero (New York) done
Apolonia (Massachusetts) done
bethieb (Kentucky) done
Luintaurien (Nebraska) done
juliebarreto (Hawaii) done -- 1 year of travel
miriam2 (Texas) done
KarinAlyssa (Canada) done
-Psyche- (Minnesota) done
Heaven-Ali (UK) done -- stop #10 -- 2 years of travel
nikolacarter23 (UK-) done
End International Bookray (05/28/08)
This bookray was ended because the last owner had PMs turned off and the following recipient in Germany never received the book for 5 months after it was mailed. The book traveled one month short of three years and went to eight states in the US and to three countries during its travels.
This is a book of short stories which highlights black Americans with ZZ Packer's sharp and witty eye for detail. It was a New York Times Notable Book as well as having been chosen by John Updike as a Today Show Book Club Pick.
On the back of the book, Zadie Smith writes the following: "ZZ Packer writes a short story with more complexity and kindness than most people can muster in their creaking 500-page novels. It's the kind of brilliance for narrative that should make her peers envious and her readers very, very grateful."
If you'd like to join, simply PM me with your mailing preferences. Be aware that mailing order is subject to change at any time due to geography, mailing preference, or originator's whim.
Begin International Bookray (06/17/05)
SqueakyChu (Maryland) done
KarenZero (New York) done
Apolonia (Massachusetts) done
bethieb (Kentucky) done
Luintaurien (Nebraska) done
juliebarreto (Hawaii) done -- 1 year of travel
miriam2 (Texas) done
KarinAlyssa (Canada) done
-Psyche- (Minnesota) done
Heaven-Ali (UK) done -- stop #10 -- 2 years of travel
nikolacarter23 (UK-) done
End International Bookray (05/28/08)
This bookray was ended because the last owner had PMs turned off and the following recipient in Germany never received the book for 5 months after it was mailed. The book traveled one month short of three years and went to eight states in the US and to three countries during its travels.
A wonderful book of short stories! My favorites were "Brownies" and "The Ant of The Self".
I liked the author allowing her readers to experience the young black Americans' world, complete with its hurts and absurdities, if only to allow a bit more understanding between people of all races.
This book is now on its way to KarenZero in New York. Enjoy!
I liked the author allowing her readers to experience the young black Americans' world, complete with its hurts and absurdities, if only to allow a bit more understanding between people of all races.
This book is now on its way to KarenZero in New York. Enjoy!
I am looking forward to reading this one! I will read ASAP. Thanks, SqueakyChu!!
Update 07/19/05: I will try to get this one out in a few days!
Update 07/19/05: I will try to get this one out in a few days!
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book because I really didn't know much about it, but I really liked the stories! The characters were interesting and the stories were engaging. Thanks so much to SqueakyChu for sharing this book!
This will be on its way to Apolonia on Monday!
This will be on its way to Apolonia on Monday!
Journal Entry 5 by KarenZero at Controlled Release in Controlled Release, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Released 18 yrs ago (7/26/2005 UTC) at Controlled Release in Controlled Release, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
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Finally on its way! Apologies for the delay in reading/sending this one - I got a little caught up with a pile of bookrings all appearing at once. I thoroughly enjoyed this though - many thanks to SqueakyChu for sharing it!
Finally on its way! Apologies for the delay in reading/sending this one - I got a little caught up with a pile of bookrings all appearing at once. I thoroughly enjoyed this though - many thanks to SqueakyChu for sharing it!
I actually received this last week, but I've been sick and haven't been able to get to it. I will read and pass it on asap.
Finally finished! I thought the stories were ok, didn't love 'em didn't hate 'em. I'm starting to think I'm just not a short story type person. Out of the eight stories, I found Drinking coffee elsewhere interesting. Speaking in tongues was the one I didn't want to put down. I doubt I would read anything else by this author. I am glad for the opportunity to read this, and try something new especially since it was on my wishlist. Thanks for sharing Squeakychu. I will send out either today or tomorrow to bethieb.
This arrived today. I've got one book ahead of it, but I'll read it very soon.
Thanks to SqueakyChu for offering this bookray!
Thanks to SqueakyChu for offering this bookray!
I really enjoyed this collection except for the fact that they were short stories. I'd be caught up in the characters, and then I knew I'd be disappointed when I turned the page to find the title of the next story waiting for me. I would love to find that "The Ant of the Self" and "Speaking in Tongues" had been developed into full-length novels.
I'll send this on to Luintaurien as soon as I hear back from her.
I'll send this on to Luintaurien as soon as I hear back from her.
Got it Saturday. Thank you. Will read and pass on ASAP.
About a quarter of the way done with this. Pming the next person.
I liked this book. Thanks for sending it. Going out this morning.
Journal Entry 13 by Luintaurien at -- By Hand Or Post, Ray/Ring, RABCK in York, Nebraska USA on Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Released 18 yrs ago (1/25/2006 UTC) at -- By Hand Or Post, Ray/Ring, RABCK in York, Nebraska USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
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Came in the mail on 3/10/06. Mahalo!
3/17/06 - So far, I've sped through this and have read all but the last story. They are insidious! She seems to specialize in young, innocent characters put into dangerous situations through their own lack of judgment. These are the kind of protagonists you want to reach out and shake!
Well, not that last one. She was brave.
7/21/06 - miriam2 PMd me she has received and read it! The ray should be back on track soon.
3/17/06 - So far, I've sped through this and have read all but the last story. They are insidious! She seems to specialize in young, innocent characters put into dangerous situations through their own lack of judgment. These are the kind of protagonists you want to reach out and shake!
Well, not that last one. She was brave.
7/21/06 - miriam2 PMd me she has received and read it! The ray should be back on track soon.
Very embarrassed to note that I received this quite a while ago and inexplicably did not journal its arrival or my reading of it...so, deepest apologies for stalling the bookring; it should be on its way as soon as I get the next reader's address.
And in spite of my stalling, I loved this book! I'd read one of the stories ("Brownies") in, I think, a slightly different version in The New Yorker some time back - I recall the ending quite differently from the story's ending here (though I wonder whether that's because it actually changed or because my memory rewrote it on its own). What I loved about the stories: the way she uses language, the change of pace between speech and narrative; the connection between intimate, personal spheres and larger issues; the dry humor. My only critique is that some of the main characters' voices were too similar (not within individual stories, but from story to story), but I found that putting it down a bit between stories made it far less an issue (and it wasn't much of one to begin with!). I occasionally teach a course on short stories and would love to include one of these - probably "Brownies," which I think is my favorite, though "The Ant of the Self" and "Speaking in Tongues" are also favorites.
I'll be sending this on just as soon as I get the next address, and my apologies for stalling the ring!!!
And in spite of my stalling, I loved this book! I'd read one of the stories ("Brownies") in, I think, a slightly different version in The New Yorker some time back - I recall the ending quite differently from the story's ending here (though I wonder whether that's because it actually changed or because my memory rewrote it on its own). What I loved about the stories: the way she uses language, the change of pace between speech and narrative; the connection between intimate, personal spheres and larger issues; the dry humor. My only critique is that some of the main characters' voices were too similar (not within individual stories, but from story to story), but I found that putting it down a bit between stories made it far less an issue (and it wasn't much of one to begin with!). I occasionally teach a course on short stories and would love to include one of these - probably "Brownies," which I think is my favorite, though "The Ant of the Self" and "Speaking in Tongues" are also favorites.
I'll be sending this on just as soon as I get the next address, and my apologies for stalling the ring!!!
Sent off to KarinAlyssa via airmail on July 25th.
This book arrived today in my mailbox with another ring as usual ! Sadly, it lost in the heads/tails, so I'll read it afterwards. Thank you SqueakyChu for organizing yet another ray and to Miriam for mailing it.
PS: The postcard is really great especially since I love Germany and of course, Berlin. Thanks !
PS: The postcard is really great especially since I love Germany and of course, Berlin. Thanks !
It might have lost, but I forgot I was going to the hairdresser and this seems like the perfect book since I could put it down without feeling guily of abandonning the plot ! I love short stories and I know I'm going to look for ZZ Packer's books because she's a great writer, but since I read all of them in one day, many overlapped each other as if they had no distinct voice. I think they would have gained much more individuality if there would have been a breather between each. However, I truly enjoyed this book.
Thank you SqueakyChu for sharing another great book through a ray ! I PMed -Psyche- for her address and hopefully, this will be mailed on Friday to MN.
Thank you SqueakyChu for sharing another great book through a ray ! I PMed -Psyche- for her address and hopefully, this will be mailed on Friday to MN.
Since I had received another ring for -Psyche-, this one was delayed. Today I'm mailing both to her. Enjoy !
Thanks--this arrived today! I'll pass along shortly.
Update: have emailed Neena11 (email on profile) and I'll get it into the mail as soon as I have her address and have time to get to the post office.
I really enjoyed this book... first listened to it on audio a number of years ago when I was traveling to do observations in order to get into the master's teaching program. I love her style and use of language.
I really enjoyed this book... first listened to it on audio a number of years ago when I was traveling to do observations in order to get into the master's teaching program. I love her style and use of language.
funsour asked to be skipped. Am now trying Hellie...
Journal Entry 23 by -Psyche- at A fellow bookcrosser in By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, April 19, 2007
Released 17 yrs ago (4/19/2007 UTC) at A fellow bookcrosser in By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
On its way to owner, then overseas! Happy adventures!
On its way to owner, then overseas! Happy adventures!
Got the book today. Thanks, -Psyche-, for returning it. I might re-read a story or two and then ship it off to Europe. I think I'll also put a little reinforcement on the book cover. I'd like to keep it traveling for a while.
I can take some new participants now that I've got the book back. I'll see if I get any more takers.
I can take some new participants now that I've got the book back. I'll see if I get any more takers.
The book is in the mail to Heaven-Ali in Birmingham, England.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Journal Entry 26 by Heaven-Ali from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Monday, July 2, 2007
Arrived today - thank you for sending it on : ) I have two rings in front of it - but I'll try and get to it quickly.
Journal Entry 27 by Heaven-Ali from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Wednesday, July 11, 2007
I really enjoyed these stories - and I say that as someone who has in the past not much liked the genre of short stories, but every now and then comes a volume that changes my mind, and this was one. The stories in this book, are so well written, that the reader becomes instantly drawn in to their world. The characters are fully fleshed out and you feel they have a past and a future, and you really want to find out more about them. A couple of these stories could certainly be the basis for a full length novel, as you can't help but feel there is so much more to explore with those characters.
My favourite stories were: Every tounge shall Confess, Drinking Coffee Elsewhere and Speaking in Tounges.
Thank you so much for sharing this book, I will be sending this on soon.
My favourite stories were: Every tounge shall Confess, Drinking Coffee Elsewhere and Speaking in Tounges.
Thank you so much for sharing this book, I will be sending this on soon.
Journal Entry 28 by Heaven-Ali at A fellow bookcrosser in By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, July 28, 2007
Released 16 yrs ago (7/28/2007 UTC) at A fellow bookcrosser in By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
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sent to Nikolacarter23 today.
sent to Nikolacarter23 today.
Journal Entry 29 by nikolacarter23 from Warwick, Warwickshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, July 31, 2007
this arrived this morning thank you
Journal Entry 30 by nikolacarter23 from Warwick, Warwickshire United Kingdom on Friday, September 28, 2007
BF and i are reading this at the moment so i have like 6 books on the go at once so that i can send books on but being ill at the moment means that i am finding things very slow going
thanks for your understanding
thanks for your understanding
Journal Entry 31 by nikolacarter23 at Controlled Release in -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Monday, December 3, 2007
Released 16 yrs ago (10/18/2007 UTC) at Controlled Release in -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
i hope it arrives safely
i hope it arrives safely
