Journal Entry 1 by katie1980 from Basingstoke, Hampshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, April 27, 2005

"Tess Leonard thought matrimony was for life, but her husband has decided that their marriage is the relationship equivalent of a starter home: cramped, claustrophobic and something he's definitely outgrown.

Now, at thirty-five, Tess is in the biggest mess of her life. Known to her friends as 'Tip Top Tess' because of her dogged pursuit of the perfect home, the perfect marriage and the perfect career, she's now a candidate for How Clean Is Your House? And it's all because Barney has walked out.

But there's a life raft on the horizon: The Divorce Survival Class. It may be uncomfortable, overcrowded and nearly sinking under the weight of excess baggage, but it's a boot-camp for the broken-hearted. Over eight weeks, Tess and her battle-weary classmates will lay bare the darkest secrets of their failed marriages. And course-leader William, an alchemist for the unloved and rejected, will turn their lives around in truly spectacular style..."

Bought to read before the UK Unconvention in July, where the author is going to be presenting. Hopefully I will be able to persuade her to sign it for me!! I've just started it, and it's looking prety good so far :)

{Bought for £7.49 at Play.com, April 2005. I rarely buy or read hard-back books, so this is an expensive book for me... let's hope it lives up to expectations!} 

Journal Entry 2 by katie1980 from Basingstoke, Hampshire United Kingdom on Sunday, May 01, 2005

I really enjoyed this book!
Some aspects of the story were very obvious, but it would have felt like there was a gap in the narrative if the things that you thought were obvious were not there. The characters were generally loveable and funny, and you couldn't help but feel like they all got what they deserved.
This book is now heading off on a small ring adventure, so that others who are going to be attending the Unconvention will be able to read it before we get the chance to meet the author :)

EDIT 4-May-05:
The participants for the ring are:
GlasgowGal
WistfulDragon
Glitterlover
KittyNic
and NiceCupofTea

The book will be sent this week sometime, and hopefully will have plenty of time to get round us all and back to me before the Unconvention on 1-3 July :) I'm hoping to have it back in my hands by then in order to get it signed by the author :D
I hope you enjoy it! 

Journal Entry 3 by katie1980 at Posted to Glasgow for the first leg in Royal Mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, May 05, 2005

Released 7 yrs ago (5/5/2005 UTC) at Posted to Glasgow for the first leg in Royal Mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

Journal Entry 4 by BC-08041015142 on Sunday, May 08, 2005

This book was waiting for me this weekend when I got home. Thanks katie1980. It's currnetly next on Mt TBR after my current read so the book shall be moving along fairly soon. The chocolate buttons, however, will not be making it to the next bookring participant.

:-) 

Journal Entry 5 by BC-08041015142 on Monday, May 16, 2005

Journal Entry 6 by BC-08041015142 on Friday, May 20, 2005

This is the second of Kate Harrison's novels, and the second of which I've awarded 9 stars to.

The book charts the life of Tess (aka "Tip Top Tess") from her initial reaction to discovering her husband of 17 years is abandoning her for a curvier, younger model, through to the completion of the "Divorce Survival Class" she was forced into attending by a well meaning friend. The book is scattered with interesting characters, from Tess' own friends through to her work colleagues and fellow "Divorce Survivors". The book flows well and, as katie1980 says, you do feel the ending is the right one.

If I had any criticism to make it would be that the love interest was a little contrived. However, I guess that is the pitfall of this kind of chick-lit book, and overall the book is an engrossing read.

Throughout the book I got the feeling that this would make a fabulous "made for TV" 2-part bank holiday special. The characters in the divorce group may need a little more depth, but the book examines a enough interesting themes dealing with the practicalities of divorce, with laughter and love as well, that I'm sure it would make great television.

The only question is who would play Tess?

Thanks for sharing the book, katie1980. This will be en-route to the dragons' lair this weekend or early next week.

:-) 

Journal Entry 7 by BC-08041015142 at on Tuesday, May 24, 2005

Released 7 yrs ago (5/24/2005 UTC) at

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

24.05.05 - Sent to WistfulDragon. 1st class. 

Journal Entry 8 by WistfulDragon from Streatham, Greater London United Kingdom on Wednesday, May 25, 2005

Received the book this morning - along with birthday prezzies! Thank you!! I'm being very strong, and haven't peeked yet.
I'm in the middle of another ring book at the mo, but should get to this one soon - and if it's anything like Old School Ties, it will be a page turner for me, and so will be moving again soon. 

Journal Entry 9 by WistfulDragon from Streatham, Greater London United Kingdom on Friday, June 10, 2005

Another great book from this author - she goes on my 'look for more' list!
I found the characters a bit better drawn than in Old School Ties, with the gaps in our knowledge being because the story viewpoints didn't get to know them in depth, rather than because they were badly conceived.
Being a divorcée myself I could recognise and sympathise with all the people in the group to a greater or lesser extent. I found myself thinking, gosh, yes, that's right! on more than one occasion, as I saw in words something I had felt without articulating it, and so not been conscious of feeling. (Hmm, I'm starting to think that this journal entry proves why I'm not a writer!)
I'm aiming to get to the post office at lunchtime; if I don't manage it, this book will get posted tomorrow morning.
Thanks Katie! 

Journal Entry 10 by MidwiferyRocks on Friday, June 17, 2005

Journal Entry 11 by KittyNic from Hull, East Yorkshire United Kingdom on Saturday, August 20, 2005

A parcel arrived in the post this morning, which turned out to be this book, a bar of Divine chocolate and some glittery heart confetti. Lovely! Thanks Glitterlover. :-)

I've got a couple of books I need to finish before this one, but I'll get onto it as soon as I can. 

Journal Entry 12 by katie1980 at mailing to a fellow bookcrosser in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, April 06, 2006

Released 6 yrs ago (4/5/2006 UTC) at mailing to a fellow bookcrosser in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

Off to visit nice-cup-of-tea in Switzerland.

My fiancé was kind enough to take this and a few other bits to the post office for me yesterday :o) Bless him! So hopefully it will be with you soon, Helen, though we did send it surface mail... Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 13 by nice-cup-of-tea from Zürich, Zürich Switzerland on Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Received in the post yesterday (thanks Katie1980 and for the lovely note!)

Well, it was definitely worth the wait and was the perfect reading choice for the last couple of days, absorbing and engaging without challenging my brain too much :-) A nice writing style and overall a feel good story.... It was good to see a teacher role portrayed well. My little sis was a primary school teached for 4 years and I was definitely the big sister who looked after her... although I hasten to add my little sis is nothing like Tess !

will return to Katie1980 at this years Unconvention :-) 

Journal Entry 14 by katie1980 from Basingstoke, Hampshire United Kingdom on Sunday, September 10, 2006

This has now arrived safely home (along with some yummy Swiss chocolates - thanks, nice-cup-of-tea!).
Thanks to all for playing along, and for returning my book to me after its adventure :o)