Journal Entry 1 by efs300 from Bedford, New Hampshire USA on Sunday, July 10, 2005

FROM THE PUBLISHER
The Sirens of Titan is an outrageous romp through space, time, and morality. The richest, most depraived man on Earth, Malachi Constant, is offered a chance to take a space journey to distant worlds with a beautiful woman at his side. Of course, there's a catch to the invitation...and a prophetic vision about the purpose of human life that only Vonnegut has the courage to tell.
 

Journal Entry 2 by efs300 from Bedford, New Hampshire USA on Sunday, July 10, 2005

This book is traveling on an international bookring. Forum post here

Members so far.

1. rebiccola (Maryland, USA)
   
2. Serinlea(Missouri, USA)
   
3. xmas (New York, USA)
   
4. icekween01 (Missouri, USA - ship to UK)
   
5. hiviztuniclover (Greater London, UK - ship UK only)
   
6. billhookbabe (derbyshire, UK - ship Int)
   
7. Pookledo (Leicestershire, UK)
   
8. platypussj(Colchester, UK)
   
9. bandaids (Andalucia, Spain - Ship Europe Only)
   
10. Skjaeve (Oslo, Norway - ship Int.)
    
11. JeSuisBelle (Makati, Philippines - Ship Int))
    
12. Xeyra (Setúbal, Protugal - Europe Only)
    
13. bilbi (Chambéry, France - Prefers to ship within Europe, Int. if needed)
    
14. juhturo(Budapest, Hungary - Ship Anywhere)
    
15. SqueakyChu (Rockville, Maryland USA - Ship USA Only)
    
16. gwendy (fairport, New York USA - Ship US Only)
    
17. VVilliam (Rockville, Maryland USA - Prefers to Ship US only but will ship Int if needed)
    
18. jubby (Balmain, New South Wales Australia - Ship International)
    
19. Rrrcaron (Lancaster, New Hampshire USA - Ship International)
    
20. cinnycat (Central Square, New York USA - Ship USA Only)
    
21. colebear (Jacksonville, Florida USA - Ship International)
    
22. efs300 <------ Completed

Journal Entry 3 by efs300 from Bedford, New Hampshire USA on Saturday, July 16, 2005

Shipped via USPS Media Mail to rebiccola, the first leg of its bookray.... 

Journal Entry 4 by rebiccola from Temple Hills, Maryland USA on Friday, July 22, 2005

I received this book in the mail this week, and have started reading it. I'm not a fast reader, but it shouldn't take me too long to finish it and get it to the next person on the list. Thanks! 

Journal Entry 5 by rebiccola from Temple Hills, Maryland USA on Monday, August 01, 2005

I finished reading this book yesterday and it will be on its way to Serinlea this afternoon.

Sirens of Titan was a good read, although I didn't enjoy it as much as some of Vonnegut's other novels. 

Journal Entry 6 by Serinlea from St. Louis, Missouri USA on Friday, August 12, 2005

Got this in the mail a few days ago - just now getting the chance to journal it.

I read this in my freshman E Comp class five years ago and remembered enjoying it. I certainly liked it more than Slaughterhouse Five.

I'm in the seventh chapter of the re-read and should have it on its way fairly soon. 

Journal Entry 7 by Serinlea from St. Louis, Missouri USA on Wednesday, August 24, 2005

Well, I wasn't expecting "fairly soon" to mean "another 12 days," but I've finally finished. Life just kinda popped up and got hectic for a bit.

Vonnegut is definitely an interesting author. He takes the realms of sci-fi, which are mainly used for plot-based novels/movies/etc., and uses them the way Faulkner used the South and Austen used Victorian England (well, modern-day for her, but still) - to explore themes of honor, illusion, religion, etc. Don't expect much of a coherent storyline from this book.

This will be on its way to xmas shortly. 

Journal Entry 8 by xmas on Tuesday, September 06, 2005

I just got this in the mail today. Perfect timing because I finished a book yesterday and am about to finish another. I will be able to concentrate on this book since the others will be out of the way. Thanks for sending it, Serinlea. 

Journal Entry 9 by xmas on Sunday, September 18, 2005

This is the third book of Vonnegut's that I've read. I really can't say yet how I feel about his writing. It is very creative and very far out. I'm not sure that I quite understand most of what goes on, but I'm sure there must be a deeper meaning to what he's saying. I'm not quite there yet.

As far as this book goes...I enoyed reading it for it's entertainment value. It seems like it supposed to be a commentary on the state of our nation, and our planet. I find that much of it still applies, and I guess that says the situation isn't getting better, only more desperate. I know about the 3 sirens, but I never really picked up on why they were significant enough to be the title of the book.


Thanks to efs for starting this ray and giving us all the chance to read the book!

I will be sending this off in a day or two. 

Journal Entry 10 by icekween01 from St. Louis, Missouri USA on Wednesday, October 19, 2005

Journal Entry 11 by icekween01 from St. Louis, Missouri USA on Friday, October 28, 2005

Journal Entry 12 by icekween01 at Mailed to fellow Bookcrosser in St. Louis, Missouri USA on Monday, January 09, 2006

Released 6 yrs ago (1/9/2006 UTC) at Mailed to fellow Bookcrosser in St. Louis, Missouri USA

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

could not get in touch with hiviztuniclover so I am skipping and sending to billhookbabe

ENJOY!

Happy Bookcrossing! 

Journal Entry 13 by billhookbabe on Saturday, February 25, 2006

Received in the post today, will read and pass on in the next month. 

Journal Entry 14 by billhookbabe on Friday, March 31, 2006

Journal Entry 15 by platypussj from Colchester, Essex United Kingdom on Saturday, April 15, 2006

Arrived last week and is next on my list to read. 

Journal Entry 16 by platypussj from Colchester, Essex United Kingdom on Thursday, May 11, 2006

My first Vonnegut; before I read this I had the impression that he was very high brow and serious but this was great fun! Will definitely be on the lookout for more of his stuff.

Perhaps the significance of the Sirens is that they have no significance - isn't that the point? Or is it?

Will journal when I have sent this to bandaids. 

Journal Entry 17 by platypussj from Colchester, Essex United Kingdom on Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Sent out to bandaids today. 

Journal Entry 18 by bandaids from Southampton, Hampshire United Kingdom on Friday, June 02, 2006

Finally got my hands on this today - it's been waiting at my Mother's a little while. Will read asap. Thanks! 

Journal Entry 19 by bandaids from Southampton, Hampshire United Kingdom on Monday, June 12, 2006

I love Vonnegut, and I loved this. It's a good companion to Slaughterhouse 5, which is probably my favourite book. 

Journal Entry 20 by bandaids from Southampton, Hampshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, June 13, 2006

On it's way to Skjaeve. 

Journal Entry 21 by Skjaeve from Ny Alesund, Svalbard Norway on Friday, June 16, 2006

In the mail today. Whee. 

Journal Entry 22 by Skjaeve from Ny Alesund, Svalbard Norway on Sunday, July 23, 2006

A good read, though I felt there were a couple of rather weak narative tricks here and there. 

Journal Entry 23 by Skjaeve from Ny Alesund, Svalbard Norway on Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Shipping to bilbi. 

Journal Entry 24 by bilbi from Chambéry, Rhône-Alpes France on Saturday, August 26, 2006

Today's my holidays. I've just received two 'rings.

Thanks for sharing this book. I haven't read many classic SciFi so far.

One or two books to read before staring this one.

Thanks again.
 

Journal Entry 25 by bilbi from Chambéry, Rhône-Alpes France on Tuesday, August 29, 2006

I'm afraid i didn't really get on with this :-\
I tried my best to finish the book but couldn't. SciFi is two-sided with me : it's either bad or good. I had enjoyed "Cat's Cradle" though.
While waiting for juhturo's address, I may give it another try...
Thanks. 

Journal Entry 26 by juhturo from Székesfehérvár, Fejér Hungary on Tuesday, September 12, 2006

I got the book today with another Vonnegut book. I will start reading them soon.

This book I will read as part of the 5 books 5 countries 5 continents challenge. 

Journal Entry 27 by juhturo at Post office in Mailed to next BC member of the Bookring, Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Monday, September 25, 2006

Released 5 yrs ago (9/26/2006 UTC) at Post office in Mailed to next BC member of the Bookring, Bookring -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

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After reading the book - I liked it ... AGAIN ... it flyes to the USA.

This is one of my favourites, although there is not too much about Tralfamador in it. The end is sad, but how should it be?!

Greetings ....
(Unk) 

Journal Entry 28 by SqueakyChu from Rockville, Maryland USA on Wednesday, October 04, 2006

It's here! I was just about to say that I have another book to read first, but I already started reading a couple of pages of this book and dear Kurt Vonnegut already has me hooked. I'll be working my way slowly through this book as I'm trying to read several books at once...and succeeding! :-) What a challenge, though.

Thanks for the greetings and the postcard, juhturo! I love the colorful stamps from Hungary on the enelope. I used to collect stamps when I was a kid, and Hungarian stamps were always some of my favorites.

Who took a bite out of the cover page? Just kidding! There is a part of it missing, though. 

Journal Entry 29 by SqueakyChu from Rockville, Maryland USA on Friday, November 03, 2006

I had a hard time with this book. It was not as entertaining to me as other Vonnegut books I've read (Breakfast of Champions, Slaughter-House Five, A Man Without A Country). It was funny, but I didn't see the purpose of the story or where it was going or why it happened at all. Something was just missing for me. I'm going to take a break from Vonnegut for a while, but will return to reading his books at some undefined later date. :-)

The book is now in the mail to Gwendy in New York. 

Journal Entry 30 by gwendy from Rochester, New York USA on Wednesday, November 08, 2006

rec'd, thanks! 

Journal Entry 31 by VVilliam from Alexandria, Virginia USA on Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Received this book in the mail yesterday. I really like the retro cover, books with colored edges on the paper have a lot of charm. I need to first finish Jennifer Government, but while I'm reading that my girlfriend will read this book and hopefully add an entry when she's done. 

Journal Entry 32 by VVilliam from Alexandria, Virginia USA on Monday, February 19, 2007

Vonnegut has a delightful style of writing that makes this book feel inspired. This book follows the life and tribulations of Malachi Constant and Winston Niles Rumfoord in what seems a series of set pieces on Earth, Mars, Mercury, and Titan. It can be challenging to discern the overall motifs that link these stories, but they are there and ultimately rewarding. I especially enjoyed Vonnegut's takes on purpose and identity. As any great science fiction writer, Vonnegut also brings superb imagination to the table to give detailed and elegant descriptions of the future and space. Overall a very worthwhile read, and I'll be looking for more Vonnegut. 

Journal Entry 33 by jubby from Sydney, New South Wales Australia on Monday, February 26, 2007

Well, would you look what appeared in my postbox today!

Plan to read in the next few days and post on.

Thank you . 

Journal Entry 34 by jubby from Sydney, New South Wales Australia on Sunday, March 11, 2007

I once met someone who told me that they thought this was one of the most creative books ever written.

I think that may be a big call, but I can see why they would think so.

For myself, I found this harder to read then some of Vonnegut's other books. And this was by far the earliest of his works I have read.

I could see the initial ideas and seeds of Vonnegut's later works starting here, and some of the phrases and terminology too.

But, is it god-given this gift of his, or is his hand guided by others, or free to write as he chooses.

A wonderfully amusing, witty and interesting story, that rumps through societal classes and the solar system, while tackling issues of friendship and family and free will and religion.

I really enjoyed this book (but not as much as 'Breakfast with champions'), and did pass it on to my husband to read, but after a week he's given up!

So, thank you for sharing this book with both of us. 

Journal Entry 35 by Rrrcaron from Lancaster, New Hampshire USA on Monday, March 26, 2007

I received this book in the mail today. I have a few to read beforehand, but I know I'll get to this one soon. I'm a little bit worried about the condition of the book. The cover is shot- but I'll give it tender loving care.
Ruth 

Journal Entry 36 by Rrrcaron from Lancaster, New Hampshire USA on Tuesday, April 10, 2007

This book was so far fetched, yet I was so entertained! Science fiction is not usually my genre to read, but I'm glad I read this one. I have read one other Vonnegut book to date, and now I think I'll try some more. Thanks for sharing! PMing and sending on to the next in line!
Ruth 

Journal Entry 37 by cinnycat from Central Square, New York USA on Tuesday, April 17, 2007

I got this a few days ago and I've already started reading it. I will write another entry when I'm finished. thanks for passing it along! 

Journal Entry 38 by cinnycat from Central Square, New York USA on Sunday, April 22, 2007

Kurt Vonnegut recently died! What a shame considering he wrote a book fairly recently. I loved this -- a satire on religion, a parody of humanity and a play on war. I don't think I really got a lot of what Vonnegut was trying to say, but it's still a good read. I loved his way of uniting the people of the world...very inventive. I REALLY need to stop reading sci-fi. That is pretty much all I've been reading for the past few months! thanks for the opportunity to read this! Will be sending on its way soon!

RIP Kurt Vonnegut 

Journal Entry 39 by cinnycat at N/A in ***, a fellow bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases on Monday, April 30, 2007

Released 5 yrs ago (4/30/2007 UTC) at N/A in ***, a fellow bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases

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RELEASE NOTES:

Sent to colebear 

Journal Entry 40 by colebear from Jacksonville, Florida USA on Monday, May 07, 2007

I plucked this from my mailbox just this afternoon. I should be able to start reading it this week. 

Journal Entry 41 by colebear from Jacksonville, Florida USA on Thursday, May 24, 2007

I've never read Vonnegut and while I was reading Sirens of Titan, someone asked me to tell them what its about, but I don't think I could do that, even now that I've finished. What an interesting book. I finished it a few days ago, but life has been in turmoil the past few days and I'm just now getting a breather to digest the story. I'll definately be looking for more of Vonnegut's work.

I'll send this well traveled book home to efs300 in the next couple of days.

Mailed 6/4/07 

Journal Entry 42 by efs300 from Bedford, New Hampshire USA on Thursday, June 07, 2007

The Sirens of Titan arrived home in New Hampshire today. I would like to thank everyone over the past 2 years for reading and taking care of this little book. I started this off as a bookray even though I had never read the book, thanks to all of your interesting comments I changed it into a bookring so that it could come back home for me to read. And thanks to whoever taped the spine, I really am amazed in the condition of this 27 year old book having been all over the world its still in pretty good shape. Thanks again to everyone for helping to complete this bookring.