Journal Entry 1 by Emperor-Fool from Falmouth, Massachusetts USA on Saturday, November 12, 2005

This book began life as Writing about Literature: A Portable Guide, by Janet E. Gardner, an unassuming little textbook (pictured here) with a heart of gold but not much else to recommend it. Then it set out on a quest, to travel the world, visiting wonderful BookCrossers who would be waiting for it with smiles on their faces and scissors and paint pots hidden behind their backs. Each of these creative folks will take a stab (perhaps literally?) at altering the little book before sending it to the next person on the list.

The book's first stop will be in New Hampshire, U.S.A., with that crafty little BookCrosser deenbat, because she jumped up and down when she asked to join the ring. A list of all participants and the order in which they'll be receiving the book is traveling with it. (If it gets lost, I can replace it at any time.) I can't wait to see what the book looks like when it eventually returns to me! 

Journal Entry 2 by deenbat from Carlisle, Pennsylvania USA on Friday, December 02, 2005

It's here, it's here!! (still jumping up and down)

I know what I plan to do (I think), and then I'll pass it along quickly. I've taken a picture of it as it arrived to me, and when I figure out how, I'll post the picture for those who will not see it naked. 

Journal Entry 3 by deenbat from Carlisle, Pennsylvania USA on Thursday, December 08, 2005

*sigh
should have journaled that this went in the mail to zz-neena nearly a week ago!! 

Journal Entry 4 by zz-neena from Hopewell Junction, New York USA on Friday, December 09, 2005

I'm so excited! This came in the mail last night - Emperor-Fool's thrilling book alteration project using a book she wrote herself!

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OK, it's done! I altered the pages at the end of one of my favorite stories of all time, "The Yellow Wallpaper".

Here's what Emperor-Fool never mentioned about her book: it's a lovely handbook for students of literature, filled with stimulating insights, helpful tips, and non-threatening advice for the student of literature.
Just listen to this from the first chapter, and tell me you wouldn't LOVE to be in this woman's class . . . .

"There is a persistent myth in literature classes that the purpose of reading is to scour a text for "hidden meaning". Do not be taken in by this myth. In fact many instructors dislike the phrase *hidden meaniing* which has unpleasant and innaccurate connotations. First it suggests a sort of wilfull subterfuge on the part of the author, a deliberate attempt to make his or her work difficult to understand or to exclude the reader. Second, it makes the process of reading sound like digging for buried treasure rather than a systematic intellectual process. Finally the phrase implies that there is a single, true meaning to a text and that communication and understanding move in one direction only: from the crafty author to the searching reader.
"In truth, the meanings in literary texts are not hidden, and your job as a reader is not to root around for them. Rather, if a text is not immediately accessible to you, it is because you need to read more actively, and meaning will then emerge in a collaborative effort as you work *with* the text to create a consistent interpretation."

I wanted to work on the page where this gem appeared, but I knew too much of it would have been obliterated by whatever I would do.

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One last note - I thoroughly enjoyed doing this. It has been far too long since I made art, and I am grateful for this opportunity.

I'm snowed in today, but this will hit the post office as soon as possible. 

Journal Entry 5 by zz-neena at on Monday, December 12, 2005

Released 6 yrs ago (12/12/2005 UTC) at

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Sent by mail to Spedbug! Bon Voyage, little book! 

Journal Entry 6 by SpedBug from Wilmington, Delaware USA on Thursday, December 15, 2005

This wonderful bit of possibility arrived, today. I'm looking forward to contributing but have to think on it a bit and the writing inside is distracting me! ;)

 

Journal Entry 7 by SpedBug from Wilmington, Delaware USA on Monday, January 09, 2006

Well, I did my bit but can't say I'm completely happy with it. zz's was really clever and visually compelling; I would've loved to come up with something equally spectacular. My creative muse was sulking and had locked itself somewhere in my psyche, however, so I finally gave in and did an not-so-inspired bit of crafting.

C'est la vie, as they say.

I sent this via airmail to Sirannon today. Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 8 by SpedBug from Wilmington, Delaware USA on Monday, April 03, 2006

I got this package back in the mail, today, for some reason. The only indication as to why it was returned were in these words: "Devuelto" (Given back) stamped on the front and a box with the date 13 FEB 2006 with the word "Caducado" (expired) on the back.

I'm sure there was proper postage on it; I had it weighed and stamped at the post office to be sure. I'll have to check with Sirannon and see if I messed up while transcribing her address.

Sorry, E-F; I'll try to get this moving again as soon as possible!

UPDATE: 4/6/06 - Mailed back to E-F (Deliver Confirmation #03060320000166566527)
 

Journal Entry 9 by Emperor-Fool from Falmouth, Massachusetts USA on Wednesday, April 12, 2006

How deeply frustrating this must have been for Speddie! I guess the Spanish Post is not any more reliable than the U.S. post. FoolMan thinks they were thrown by the caligraphy on the envelope, though I think it's both gorgeous and legible.

Anyway, I got the book back (and as a bonus got to peek at the first alterations, which I love, love, LOVE!) and will be sending it on its way again soon , this time with plain block lettering. (But I'll include SpedBug's envelope too, just so Sirannon can see how lovely it is.)

Thank you again, everyone--I'm excited about this project all over again. 

Journal Entry 10 by Sirannon from not specified, not specified not specified on Saturday, May 20, 2006

I have no idea what could have made the Spanish Post send the package back :(
I'm really glad you resent it, E-F, I'll have a good time altering it! And Speddie's caligraphy is just amazing! 

Journal Entry 11 by YokoSpungeon from Dunboyne, Co. Meath Ireland on Monday, July 03, 2006

This came today and I was so excited I went completely mental and did mine immediately.
I think what I have done looks like the artwork of a complete lunatic and for that I apologise, but it was wonderful fun!

:) off to Kairon13 next! Same day despatch, LOL! 

Journal Entry 12 by constantweader from Manchester, Greater Manchester United Kingdom on Friday, July 07, 2006

I'd forgotten I signed up for this book ring, so it came as a delightful surprise!

The book is distractingly interesting, but I have a few ideas which I am allowing to simmer for a day or two before I commit myself to anything irrevocable! 

Journal Entry 13 by constantweader from Manchester, Greater Manchester United Kingdom on Monday, February 25, 2008

I am such a bad, bad BookCrosser. This book has been sitting on my shelf all this time, now and again prodding my conscience, and the longer I left it the harder it was to risk doing anything at all to it.
But at last I have overcome my qualms, done my bit, and Royal Mail permitting it should be with CaterinaAnna tomorrow, or thereabouts.
My deepest apologies to those who have been kept waiting for this - I hope it's worth the wait. 

Journal Entry 14 by Caterinaanna from Coventry, West Midlands United Kingdom on Tuesday, February 26, 2008

It did indeed arrive today and I know what I want to do - just got to find an appropriate page to use! Thank you! 

Journal Entry 15 by Caterinaanna from Coventry, West Midlands United Kingdom on Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Apologies, apologies.

I decided what I wanted to do with this quite quickly and even got Gizmopuddy's address, but then things stalled a bit. You see I really wanted to pick the right page for my intervention and that meant reading the book. However it is already a work of art, so I didn't really want to lug it here there & everywhere - far too much potential for damage to the hard work of other people. That meant that other bag-hopping books queue-jumped and I only read it over the Easter holidays.

Still not sure where to do my thing, but I am glad I read it. What amazes me most are the length of sample pieces from students. Our poor KS4 lot (age 14-16) need to produce three times as much for each piece of GCSE literature coursework - and I'm not sure that all our English staff are quite such friendly hand-holders! I also remember being expected to produce essays of this level for my homework each week at a similar age, so I was thoroughly jealous of EF's students who get time to choose titles and research. Is it merely a difference in location and education system, or have times moved on?

But I digress: there will be a further amendment to the book in the next couple of days so that the release note I am about to make does not become a lie. Apologies again for the delay. 

Journal Entry 16 by Caterinaanna at Ring/Ray in By hand, to another bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Released 3 yrs ago (4/18/2008 UTC) at Ring/Ray in By hand, to another bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases

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This *will* be passed to Gizmopuddy at the Convention.

Oh yes it will! I did my page yesterday morning. Took a little longer than I anticipated, and it's not perfect, but it's a close enough approximation to what I wanted to make this dyspraxic klutz pleased with her efforts, even if they are not as artistic as many of the other interventions. I'll get at least one photo up on flickr someday and when I do, I'll come back & put a link here. 

Journal Entry 17 by Gizmopuddy from Maynooth, Co. Kildare Ireland on Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Received this from CaterinaAnna at the convention. Really looking forward to working on it, and I will pass it on at the first available opportunity 

Journal Entry 18 by Gizmopuddy from Maynooth, Co. Kildare Ireland on Thursday, November 13, 2008

I am so so sorry it has taken me so long to do this. I spotted something I wanted to do right from the off, but that involved bringing the book to work....and a photocopier?!?!?! Unfortunately both my mind and my life have been really cluttered for the last few months, and I could never remember to bring it.

November is my "do all the long outstanding tasks" month, so the book accompanied me to work, and now I have done my little bit. It didn't turn out quite how I had hoped (I am much better at crafts in my head, than I am IRL) but Sharpshooter (son) says it works, so hey!

I had the best fun doing it. And I will now be sending it on to Otakuu. 

Journal Entry 19 by Gizmopuddy at Invercargill, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- New Zealand on Thursday, November 13, 2008

Released 3 yrs ago (11/13/2008 UTC) at Invercargill, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- New Zealand

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Hoping you have as much fun with this delightful book as I have had 

Journal Entry 20 by otakuu from Darfield, Canterbury New Zealand on Sunday, January 18, 2009

Just received today from Gizmopuddy and I have NO idea what I will do but I am sure inspiration will come. In the meantime, I am going to check the book out, see what others have done and meditate on the incredible impact that BookCrossing has had on my life!