Journal Entry 1 by StoryChaser from Waterlooville, Hampshire United Kingdom on Thursday, September 08, 2005

From the back cover:
It is 1962. The first avocado pears are appearing at the greengrocer's, people are thinking about carpeting their lavatories and boxing in their banisters, and Ronnie Glover, housepainter, husband and father, is feeling the first vague stirrings of discontent with his life.
Then, out of the blue, the fabulous, sophisticated (and married) Jacqueline bursts into his life and teaches him to tango. She seems to offer everything he ever dreamt of. But is it all too good to be true? What can a woman who has travelled the world want with a man who carries a stub of pencil behind his ear? Are the Ten O'Clock horses of Ronnie's painful childhood awake and sniffing the wind!


What a great story. I don't think a book has made me laugh so much for ages. Such fabulous characters and so well portrayed. Hats off to Laurie Graham. 

Journal Entry 2 by StoryChaser from Waterlooville, Hampshire United Kingdom on Sunday, September 11, 2005

book-bird has this now. 

Journal Entry 3 by book-bird from Portsmouth, Hampshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, October 25, 2005

This book was passed to me from a friend. A beautiful book, that made me both laugh and cry. About hopes and dreams, and missed opportunities. I really enjoyed the nostalgic setting and remembered that the sixties were not all free love and flower power. Thanks storychaser, will return to you on 27/10. 

Journal Entry 4 by StoryChaser from Waterlooville, Hampshire United Kingdom on Monday, October 31, 2005

Got this back from book-bird today and have lent it to a work colleague. Will probably send it out on a ring when it comes back.
Everyone I have lent this to has thoroughly enjoyed it, so it has got to go out in a ring. 

Journal Entry 5 by StoryChaser from Waterlooville, Hampshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, November 08, 2005

Journal Entry 6 by LindyLouMac from Viterbo, Lazio Italy on Thursday, November 24, 2005

Arrived in the post today, courtesy of Storychaser, at the start of the bookring. I have another book to read before I start this one, but sure I will devour it quickly once started as it looks so amusing! 

Journal Entry 7 by LindyLouMac from Viterbo, Lazio Italy on Monday, December 05, 2005

Growing up in the sixties meant that this seemed so relevant, funny yet sad. Sometimes I was torn between laughing or crying. It also made me think how much of everyday life has changed since those days.The characters were all very well portrayed.
It is now in the post to purplerosebud who tells me she is looking forward to reading a funny book. Hope it meets her expectations. 

Journal Entry 8 by purplerosebud from Petersfield, Hampshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, December 07, 2005

Thanks LindyLouMac, the book has arrived today and yes I am looking forward to reading a book that should make me laugh. No other bookring books here at the moment so this will be my next read. 

Journal Entry 9 by purplerosebud from Petersfield, Hampshire United Kingdom on Friday, December 16, 2005

I have mixed feelings about this book. The first few pages had me really laughing but then for me it got more serious. It brought back so many memories of things long forgotton. The characters were so well portrayed that I could just picture them and the situations they were in having once been there myself. How things have changed! At times quite a sad story I did enjoy reading it and will be looking out for other Laurie Graham books to read. Thanks storychaser for starting this ring. I will now be passing the book on to calalilly. 

Journal Entry 10 by calalilly from Waterlooville, Hampshire United Kingdom on Monday, December 26, 2005

I enjoyed reading this book and yes like Purplerosebud it did make me laugh at first but as she said it brough back memories,like for me having carpet in the bathroom in my parents bungalow, a pink quilted housecoat and a suede jacket. Listening to Jean Metcalfe on Family Favourites on a Sunday lunchtime and various other things. How things have changed over the years!!
I shall definitely look out for more of Laurie Graham books to read. Thank you Storychaser for this ring.
Will be emailing molekilby for his address and then sending it straight off.
 

Journal Entry 11 by molekilby from BRITHDIR, Wales United Kingdom on Saturday, December 31, 2005

Received today in the post. Will look forward to reading this in the New Year. 

Journal Entry 12 by molekilby from BRITHDIR, Wales United Kingdom on Friday, January 06, 2006

An easy read. I read it in a day (thanks to flying to Edinburgh for work). The backround of newly built houses, knocking through into one big room, all seemed reminiscent of the Sixties. I wonder if things have changed much in the intervening years.

Passing onto sunlightbub posted 7.1.2006. 

Journal Entry 13 by sunlightbub from Wallasey, Merseyside United Kingdom on Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Received this and 2 other bookrings today. I love The Unfortunates by this author which I read pre BC so I'm really looking forward to this. Thanks for making it available xx

Couldn't get into this so have given up afer 60 odd pages..It's not bad, I just wasn't in the mood for it at the moment and I have other rings to get to, so I'm wating for the next persons address and will get it on it's way..Thanks for giving me a chance to read it xxxx 

Journal Entry 14 by beekeeper40 from Hoveton, Norfolk United Kingdom on Wednesday, February 08, 2006

Received today. Will start to read very shortly! 

Journal Entry 15 by beekeeper40 from Hoveton, Norfolk United Kingdom on Saturday, February 11, 2006

I really enjoyed this book and found it a very easy quick read. Even though it was set in 1962 and I wasn't born then, there were loads of things that rang bells of reminiscence for me growing up in the 1970's. The food for one thing - YUCK! I remember some truly horrendous meals when I lived at home. However I didn't feel a lot of sympathy for the main character Ronnie, who only considered himself and just moaned about his so called boring and embarrasing family. I loved the way this was written with mainly dialogue, this made it easy to get into and plausible. This is the second book I have read by Laurie Graham, so I will definitely put some of her other books on my wish list to read. Thank you Storychaser for letting me be part of this ring.

Am now sending it on to Sadogs. 

Journal Entry 16 by sadogs from Telford, Shropshire United Kingdom on Saturday, February 18, 2006

Book arrived today - have just finished a bookring so will be able to dive straight in. 

Journal Entry 17 by sadogs from Telford, Shropshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, February 21, 2006

How life has changed! Funny but sad at the same time - thank you StoryChaser for the opportunity to read this. Have never read anything by Laurie Graham before so will keep an eye out for others.

Posted to Safrolistics today 22/2/06
 

Journal Entry 18 by safrolistics from Newbiggin-By-The-Sea, Northumberland United Kingdom on Monday, February 27, 2006

alt="Click here to join bccov">
Click to join bccov

Journal Entry 19 by safrolistics at on Thursday, March 02, 2006

Released 5 yrs ago (3/2/2006 UTC) at

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

Posted to namedujour 

Journal Entry 20 by namedujour from Tulsa, Oklahoma USA on Thursday, September 07, 2006

Book arrived safely. I have two ahead of it, but will get to it just as quickly as I can. Thank you so much for shipping from UK! 

Journal Entry 21 by namedujour from Tulsa, Oklahoma USA on Saturday, November 11, 2006

I'm so sorry this took so long! I was completely inundated. Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed it, and shipped it off to TheBowieFollies three days ago.

Thanks so much for sharing!! 

Journal Entry 22 by TheBowieFollies from Brooklyn, New York USA on Saturday, November 18, 2006

aye well Verra is back from Lancs and now the book is here the noo..cannae believe i signed up for it a year ago, well hope this will give me a proper tickle, im sure it will storychaser you are legend, cheers for letting me be one of the brood like..
happy brooksiding
love veronica innit... 

Journal Entry 23 by TheBowieFollies from Brooklyn, New York USA on Thursday, November 30, 2006

Quite charmed alarm with this one, there was a certain irreverence in Miss Graham's narrative, really apropos for me, being homesick and wanting to come back 'ome to Bootle innit, even though I was just there, canny take the liver oot the bird eh, But this was pure gold cheers storychaser la, I lurved it!
I put this in the post this morning back to ya, aye its the boomering innit and you should be getting it proper soon :)
Love on ya!
Veronica 

Journal Entry 24 by StoryChaser from Waterlooville, Hampshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Arrived back home safe and sound. Thanks everyone for taking part. The question is where do I send it next?? 

Journal Entry 25 by StoryChaser from Waterlooville, Hampshire United Kingdom on Thursday, September 27, 2007

Journal Entry 26 by Midlifecrisis from St. Austell, Cornwall United Kingdom on Monday, October 15, 2007

Safely received today - thank you Storychaser. I am looking forward to reading my first Laurie Graham and will let you know how I get on. 

Journal Entry 27 by Midlifecrisis from St. Austell, Cornwall United Kingdom on Saturday, October 20, 2007

I cannot really add much to the comments of other readers. A wonderful mixture of comic observation, nostalgia and frustrated ambition. It reminded me so much of my own childhood and my parents' attitudes. How much has really changed I wonder. Will we look back at the end of the nineties and be disparaging about our own aspirations? Will the beige neutral look seem as dated as the carpeted bathroom? And I guess the personal struggles with relationships and responsibilities never change. Thank you so much for letting me enjoy this book. I have Lellie's address and will get this in the post later today. 

Journal Entry 28 by lellie from Trimley St Mary, Suffolk United Kingdom on Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Arrived safely, I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to this. 

Journal Entry 29 by lellie from Trimley St Mary, Suffolk United Kingdom on Thursday, October 25, 2007

I'm passing this to my mum (NanaPat), who will read it before I get a chance :) 

Journal Entry 30 by NanaPat from Felixstowe, Suffolk United Kingdom on Thursday, October 25, 2007

Thanks for letting me jump into this bookring. I started reading it this morning. 

Journal Entry 31 by NanaPat from Felixstowe, Suffolk United Kingdom on Saturday, October 27, 2007

I thought this was an excellent read. My daughter introduced me to Laurie Graham a couple of years ago when she gave me The Future Homemakers of America and I have recently read The Unfortunates.
Every book of hers is just that bit different and dhe has a wonderful ear for dialogue. I'm putting this back on lellie's shelf now.
Thank you everyone. 

Journal Entry 32 by lellie from Trimley St Mary, Suffolk United Kingdom on Monday, October 29, 2007

I'm starting this tonight. Will journal again on completion 

Journal Entry 33 by lellie from Trimley St Mary, Suffolk United Kingdom on Wednesday, October 31, 2007

I loved this. One of my favourite reads this year. It raced along at such a pace I was finished before I knew it and only wished there was more. I was born in 1946 (sshh)! and remember well what it was like growing up in the 50's and 60's. This held so much resonance for me.
Laurie Graham's ear for dialogoue is wonderful and the characters all completely real and believable.
Thanks so much storychaser for starting this ring, long may this book continue to travel.
I'll be mailing to releanna tomorrow. 

Journal Entry 34 by Releanna from Wien Bezirk 23 - Liesing, Wien Austria on Wednesday, November 07, 2007

the book arrived savely yesterday and I'm very much looking forward to reading it (hopefully this weekend) 

Journal Entry 35 by Releanna from Wien Bezirk 23 - Liesing, Wien Austria on Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Not being a native English speaker I had a bit of a hard time to get into this book at first. I had to look up quite a few expression, but I kept going (I can be stubborn at times!) and it really paid. It was such a great read, giving a lot of insight in the life in the 60s (I was born 1960), it is written really witty, it's got a funny touch but it is also sad, very moving.
And what I never will understand is Cricket ;)

anyway, tomorrow this great book will travel on to lauraloo29 

Journal Entry 36 by lauraloo29 from Edmonton, Alberta Canada on Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Arrived today. I have a couple of other rings before it, but I will keep it moving. :) 

Journal Entry 37 by lauraloo29 from Edmonton, Alberta Canada on Wednesday, December 12, 2007

I couldn't get into this book. I've been having a bit of a dry spell when it comes to reading, so not sure what the problem is. :) I don't want to keep this longer as I have other rings. Thank you for sharing! 

Journal Entry 38 by RockBird from Mission Viejo, California USA on Thursday, January 10, 2008

At long last, the book has arrived in California. 

Journal Entry 39 by RockBird from Mission Viejo, California USA on Friday, March 14, 2008

Couldn't really get into this book. I PMed the next person, but he has asked to be skipped, so I'm PMing the next one in line now. 

Journal Entry 40 by RockBird at in front of the house in My post box, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Released 3 yrs ago (3/18/2008 UTC) at in front of the house in My post box, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

Being sent (finally) to the next person in the ring; it'll be picked up with the morning mail. 

Journal Entry 41 by BethanieKay from Fort Worth, Texas USA on Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Received in the mail today! Just finishing up another book then will dive into this one. Thanks for including me! 

Journal Entry 42 by BethanieKay from Fort Worth, Texas USA on Friday, March 28, 2008

I had to read through all the other reviews on this book to see what others thought, and I feel a bit bad that I didn't really enjoy it when so many others did. Maybe it's that I'm too young and just can't relate to the 60's era, or that, despite my love for Brit-Lit, I just didn't understand enough of the colloquialisms.

Regardless, this book has been on a wonderful journey and it's about to head out on its last leg. I am mailing this Down Under to blundery tomorrow, and looks like she's the last one on the ray.

Thanks for letting me join! 

Journal Entry 43 by BethanieKay from Fort Worth, Texas USA on Saturday, March 29, 2008

This book is on its way to blundery in Western Australia ... mailed today.

Happy travels, little book! 

Journal Entry 44 by Blundery on Friday, April 11, 2008

this book arrived safe and sound today, thanks for forwarding it on BethanieKay. I have two bookring books to read before this one so it might take a couple of weeks for me to get to it, but I will journal as soon as I am done :-) 

Journal Entry 45 by Blundery on Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Oooops, I was just about to journal the impending despatch of this book to another bookcrosser, when I realised (in horror) that I didn't journal after I finished the book!!! Sorry BC'ers, not my usual habit.

Ok, about the book..... I enjoyed it greatly. I liked the the characters in this story, they were realistic and heartwarming and I really felt emotion for them.

The setting was refreshingly different, I have not read much fiction set in the early sixties, and like another BC'er, I too felt it reminding me of my childhood in the early 70's. This book was not something that I would have normally chosen to read, but I am glad that I had the opportunity to read it.

I am sending this book off to a fellow BC'er who I hope will get the same sort of enjoyment out of reading it as I did. 

Journal Entry 46 by Blundery at Rockingham, Western Australia Australia on Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Released 2 yrs ago (1/13/2010 UTC) at Rockingham, Western Australia Australia

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Happy Smile Day :-) 

Journal Entry 47 by RockDg9 at Toowoomba, Queensland Australia on Saturday, January 08, 2011

Whoop! I never journalled this as received. :/ Sorry. Book has been safe here with me and I've only just read it.

When I first started reading this, I couldn't get into the writing style. But I stuck with it and when I started to get the voice of the novel I really really enjoyed it and couldn't put it down. The characters are well drawn, and the dialogue is incredibly realistic. The reader can feel the emotions of the characters on a deep level. 

Journal Entry 48 by RockDg9 at Toowoomba, Queensland Australia on Wednesday, September 07, 2011

Released 5 mos ago (9/7/2011 UTC) at Toowoomba, Queensland Australia

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Smiling again for Smile Day! 

Journal Entry 49 by glenystasmania at Maydena, Tasmania Australia on Tuesday, September 13, 2011

received this book today as the winner of Smile Day RABCK 

Journal Entry 50 by glenystasmania at Maydena, Tasmania Australia on Friday, December 30, 2011

really enjoyed this book, cannot add more to what has already been said....a real joy 

Journal Entry 51 by glenystasmania at Bushy Park Market in Bushy Park, Tasmania Australia on Friday, December 30, 2011

Released 1 mo ago (12/30/2011 UTC) at Bushy Park Market in Bushy Park, Tasmania Australia

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

just to the right inside the main doorway