Received two big bags of books to release from a friend at work today. This was one of the books in it, I eventually would like to read it, but since Mt TBR is rather large I will offer it up as a bookring first if there is enough interest.

Starting an Australia only bookring. Usual rules, PM me to join, journal as you receive, read and send. Hope you enjoy.

Participants:

Arrietty
catsalive
aleonblue
luckaye
djbebe
crimson-tide
sleepydumpling

Ring now closed and sleepydumpling will set the book free.

This book arrived along with SMith's On Beauty. I've been wanting to read it for ages. thanks Bookworm, I'll start this one as soon as I've finished Beauty.

Finished the book this morning and I really had to force myself to finish it! If it wasn't part of a bookring, I think I would have just given up, put it aside and maybe never picked it up again. It really was a very convoluted story and sometimes I felt as if it were written by a teenager. What is it with all those 'International gesture for'.....remarks? Once was cute but after a while it becomes tedious. It is a very gimmicky novel……full of symbols, pictures and little inserts of information or poems, which serve only to pad out a very thin storyline.

I am a big fan of Zadie Smith but I would have to say that although clever and witty, this book is mostly boring. As usual, Smith comes up with some good writing and I love the way she explores other worlds, other cultures. There is a real hodgepodge of Zen Buddhism, Jewish Kabbalah, New York humour and Hollywood trivia. I really enjoyed the meeting between Alex, the rebellious, neurotic Jewish autograph hunter and Kitty, the once beautiful Hollywood starlet.

“He was here. He was here….it was the home of a collector. It had its New York touches, of course – capacious windows, indecipherable modish art, but its heart, this was resolutely old world......Everywhere white linen throws, Arabic arches and Venetian prints, beaten-thin cowhide rugs and pink silk shot through cream pillows, unravelling. Ornate silver mirrors hung at dipping angles, seeming to catch the room just before it fell through the floor. Everything made with care and handled with same.”

Zadie Smith's writing gets to me every time. I will ask around in Adel BCers to see if anyone wants to read it before I send it to catsalive!

I gave it to a friend to read and she only got past the first few chapters before giving up. she said she liked the writing but couldn't get into a story about people collecting movie star memorabilia!

Sending this to next person on list.

Posted to Catsalive at last!

Book received, thanks Arrietty.

I couldn't get into this book, so rather than hold it up any longer while I think about trying again, I'll send it on to aleonblue. Thanks anyway, bookworm-BNE.

Posted 24/4/6.

Received this book yesterday. Look forward to another Zadie Smith book.

Love the 2006 Adelaide BookCrossing Convention bookmark!

Another interesting book from Zadie Smith. The book went in many directions, but came together at the end.

RELEASE NOTES:

Passing this bookring on to Luckaye at the Brisbane BC meet-up this weekend at the Stones Corner pub.

I picked this one up from the Meet today.

RELEASE NOTES:

Travelling along with 'On Beauty'.

received in the mail from luckaye - thanks - will get to it asap!

I found this book catchy and gimmicky, yes - but that sort of kept me going. Those gestures and sayings that only friends understand - I liked how that was woven back in at the end. Posted to crimson-tide yesterday.

This was a surprise arrival along with "On Beauty". I don't think I ever asked to join this ring??
I guess it makes sense though, as they are both due to go home to QLD next. I doubt if I'll have the time to read it but I'll keep them together.

Update 10th November 2006:
Not able to do this one justice I'm afraid. Will send it on to sleepydumpling along with "On Beauty" as she is next on the list for that one, and ask her to pass them both on to BookwormBNE.

Came to me with a bookring I am participating in. I will read it and send it on ASAP.

RELEASE NOTES:

Taking this one to book club tonight to offer to a fellow book lover.

'caught' at our bookgroup meeting tonight, with thx to sleepydumpling and of course bookworm-BNE.

My wife has read 'White Teeth' and a copy of 'On Beauty' resides within the ever-expanding orbit of our collective Mt.TBR, so I was particularly pleased to accept this generous offering of the bookcrossing gods..

Once read it shall be return-ed to the ether!