Journal Entry 1 by OneMorePage from Mission Viejo, California USA on Monday, November 21, 2005

I've been longing to read this book for ages, and I signed up for a ring, when my friend LGinder surprised me with my very own copy. So I didn't have to wait for the ring - and I devoured the book immediately.

This story follows a small book group that meets only to discuss Jane Austen novels. Obviously, any "Jane-ite" should, and probably already has, read this.

But this book has more depth than you might think. To be honest, I was expecting fluff - an author capitalizing on Jane's fans. Each chapter is about the Jane book they are reading that month, and each chapter loosely follows one member of the book club (though they move around a lot.)

I love Jane Austen, but this is very easy to read even if you have not read her books. I like the subtle changes in tone of each chapter, reflecting the literary style of each of Jane's novels. I also really like how the characters seem to reflect famous Austen characters.

My only quibble with the book is that the narrator is hard to place (omniscent author, like Jane herself?!) Most of the time the narrator seems to be Jocelyn, and she, frankly, is a bitch. Fowler doesn't quite have the knack that Jane does for portraying an irritating person with grace - Jocelyn is just annoying.

But that is a minor point - the book is still a good read. I am going to offer it up as a ring - it's too much fun to sit on my shelf!

Here is the ring, so far:
Karenlea (US, ship US)
Karenzero (US, ship US)
Polliwog (US, ship US)
Kbudgie (US, ship int'l)
Jaycee1972 (UK, ship int'l)
JenniferWales (UK, ship Europe)
Kaleidoblikk (Norway, ship int'l)
Escalla (Portugal, ship int'l)
Polliejean (Germany, ship int'l)
Veroperu (Peru, ship int'l)
Evicka - (Canada, ship Canada)
KarinAlyssa (Canada, ship US)
back to me, One More Page

Wow I am surprised at the wonderful response to this Ring!!

Typical rules apply:

1. Journal when you receive the book
2. Read within a month
3. PM next in line for their address
4. Journal when it leaves

Enjoy reading and I really look forward to the comments on this book!

 

Journal Entry 2 by OneMorePage at Bookring in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, November 22, 2005

Released 7 yrs ago (11/22/2005 UTC) at Bookring in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

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Mailed to Karenlea to start the ring. Happy reading! 

Journal Entry 3 by Karenlea from Glendale, California USA on Saturday, November 26, 2005

This is a very sweet book. I read it in bits and pieces, during a very stressful move. The book helped to take my mind off of everything that I had going on. I am also a huge Jane Austen fan, so I enjoyed all of the references. It is not a "life-changing" sort of book, but I still found it very enjoyable.

I will be sending it to Karenzero tomorrow afternoon!!! 

Journal Entry 4 by Karenlea from Glendale, California USA on Tuesday, December 06, 2005

Fast read, cute story....mailing to Karenzero tomorrow. 

Journal Entry 5 by KarenZero from Brooklyn, New York USA on Friday, December 30, 2005

Arrived safely. Thanks! 

Journal Entry 6 by KarenZero from Brooklyn, New York USA on Friday, January 27, 2006

I really enjoyed this book a lot! I thought the stories of the characters were very interesting and made them all seem like believeable, real people. I want to hear more from them, but sadly I doubt there will be a Jane Austin Bookclub 2! Anyway, thanks so much OneMorePage for sharing the book! I will send it off today. 

Journal Entry 7 by KarenZero at Controlled Release in Controlled Release, --by post or by hand (ie ring, ray, RABCK, trade) -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Released 7 yrs ago (1/31/2006 UTC) at Controlled Release in Controlled Release, --by post or by hand (ie ring, ray, RABCK, trade) -- Controlled Releases

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On its way to the next reader! 

Journal Entry 8 by polliwog from Lopez Island, Washington USA on Monday, February 06, 2006

The book arrived! I look forward to reading this and will start it tonight. 

Journal Entry 9 by polliwog from Lopez Island, Washington USA on Friday, March 10, 2006

Journal Entry 10 by kbudgie on Sunday, March 19, 2006

Just got this as I am starting my last of 4 books that arrived all at the same time so I should get this read soon.... 

Journal Entry 11 by kbudgie at Mailed out in Snail Mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Released 6 yrs ago (5/23/2006 UTC) at Mailed out in Snail Mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

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Mailed out yesterday at long last....

my review is here http://karen.blog-city.com/the_jane_austen_book_club_a_novel.htm 

Journal Entry 12 by Jaycee1972 from Belper, Derbyshire United Kingdom on Saturday, May 27, 2006

Received in the post today. Thanks.

I should get to it soon but have another couple of rings too.
 

Journal Entry 13 by Jaycee1972 from Belper, Derbyshire United Kingdom on Thursday, July 13, 2006

I have tried to read this book a couple of times and got about a third of the way through but I am sorry to say I am giving up. Maybe I just don't know enough about Jane Austin's books to appreciate the discussions going on in the group but I didn't warm to the narrator or characters either.

I sent a PM to Jenniferwales on 27/6 and again today 13/7 so hopefully I can get this moving soon. Thanks for sharing. 

Journal Entry 14 by Jaycee1972 from Belper, Derbyshire United Kingdom on Saturday, July 15, 2006

In the post to Jenniferwales today! 

Journal Entry 15 by jenniferwales from Cardiff, Wales United Kingdom on Tuesday, August 29, 2006

arrived safely in farnham, with thanks :) 

Journal Entry 16 by Kaleidoblikk from Sandnes, Rogaland fylke Norway on Tuesday, September 19, 2006

My expectations are high - really looking foreward to this!!
Thanx for letting me join this ring!! 

Journal Entry 17 by Kaleidoblikk from Sandnes, Rogaland fylke Norway on Friday, September 29, 2006

I haven't read all of Austens book, and I probably never will - but I have apreciated the ones I have read. I truly enjoyed reading this book! I especially liked the way the author build up the story; the switching between different people and different minds and different ages a.s.o. I liked the way she (KJF) let us take part in different wiews of thinking about each person. I found the book both clever and funny. Easy to read and easy to get fond of!!

Will be sending it off to Escalla today or tomorrow!

(I feel very awkward when writing in English, and beg you to excuse my lousy grammar/spelling. I also would have liked to express more about this book, but have to realize that my English is weaker than when I was in school, so I lack the words...) 

Journal Entry 18 by Escalla from Lisboa - Parque das Nações, Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Tuesday, October 31, 2006

I do not have the time to read this book now, so instead of delaying the bookring i have joined a local bookring and will send this immediately to PollieJean. 

Journal Entry 19 by Polliejean from Algés, Lisboa (distrito) Portugal on Monday, November 20, 2006

I´ve received the book today. The same old problem: I´ve two other rings to finish. Will do my best to read them fast; can´t wait to start "Jane Austen Book Club"!

Thanks, Escalla, for sending it. 

Journal Entry 20 by Polliejean from Algés, Lisboa (distrito) Portugal on Monday, December 18, 2006

I loved this book, although I´ve never read Jane Austen. I don´t know why, really. So I just bought a Penguin edition of "Sense and Sensibility" to read in the beginning of the year.
Thanks for the ring.

Have PMed Veroperu and Evicka. Both of them have read the book already.

20/12: the book has been sent to KarinAlyssa. 

Journal Entry 21 by KarinAlyssa on Thursday, January 04, 2007

It was in my holiday mail when I came back, thank you Polliejean for sending it across the ocean and to OneMorePage for sharing that great-looking book. I'm currently in the midlle of several books, but hopefully I'll start that one soon and I'll update this entry with my progress. 

Journal Entry 22 by KarinAlyssa on Thursday, May 24, 2007

Although I haven't read most of the books that were discussed, I highly enjoy that book. Thank you onemorepage for sharing and sorry for keeping it for so long, I hadn't realized.

The book was sent today. 

Journal Entry 23 by OneMorePage from Mission Viejo, California USA on Monday, May 28, 2007

After 1 year and 5 months, 3 states within the US, 7 more countries around the world, The Jane Austen Book Club is back home with me. It looks well-used, and that, I believe, is what every book wants! Thank you all so much for participating and sharing your thoughts, and for adding quotes to the card enclosed with the ring.

I'm not sure where this book will go next, I think I will keep it on my bookshelf a while and maybe re-read it. 

Journal Entry 24 by OneMorePage at Border's Books across from Kohl's in Rancho Santa Margarita, California USA on Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Released 5 yrs ago (3/18/2008 UTC) at Border's Books across from Kohl's in Rancho Santa Margarita, California USA

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Left on the bench outside Spa Gregoire, with a copy of "The Illustrated Letters of Jane Austen." Hopefully some Austen fan, or future Austen fan, will enjoy these!



Dear Reader:
What you have in your hands is an honest-to-goodness gift, no strings attached. You may keep it forever and ever, pass it on to a friend, or release it in the wild like I did. I know it may seem a little odd to find this lying around--it's my way of touching the lives of others in a positive way, with the hope that it made your day. I hope you'll journal so all the previous and future readers can track this book's journey. Thanks, and happy BookCrossing!
 

Journal Entry 25 by LGinder on Tuesday, March 18, 2008

I was sitting on the couch as it was getting dark and was wondering if any of the wild releases you left had been caught... Gave it another hour and thought well lets find out! Parked in front of Borders and walked around and found this one sitting on the bench along with the Illustrated Letters of Jane Austen. Since it was dark and damp I thought I better bring them to a safe haven. I'll find another place to release the pair!

This book has really traveled! 

Journal Entry 26 by LGinder at by mail, A Bookbox -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, December 21, 2008

Released 4 yrs ago (12/21/2008 UTC) at by mail, A Bookbox -- Controlled Releases

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Releasing into the book box, enjoy! 

Journal Entry 27 by msjoanna from Columbia, Missouri USA on Saturday, February 21, 2009

I had a different copy of this book on my shelf, but it had been sitting for too long, so I swapped it out for this one when I saw it in the box to give the other book a chance to travel a bit. I'm still looking forward to reading this book; just haven't gotten to it yet.