Journal Entry 1 by Pooker3 from Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada on Saturday, May 27, 2006

This is one of my all-time favourite Canadian novels. I've owned and given away many copies. I purchased this one specifically to release for the Canada Day Challenge. As I was registering it I realized that it was the only copy on my bookshelf. How is that possible? Should I keep it? No, it deserves to be read by someone else. I can pick up more copies.

The description of Christmas in chapters eight and nine makes me cry everytime I read it. Sensually delightful.  

Journal Entry 2 by Pooker3 from Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada on Monday, June 19, 2006

As I was labeling this book for the Canada Day release challenge, I suddenly had misgivings about sending it out in the wild. Why, I don't know. That day as I was tootling about the forums, I discovered that Ibis3 has a birthday this month. Eureka!

So, it's traveling now. 

Journal Entry 3 by Ibis3 from Newcastle, Ontario Canada on Saturday, June 24, 2006

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Pooker3!!

This actually did arrive on my birthday (I just didn't open my mailbox til just now though). What a great surprise. You've made my day. :)

I had been looking at this one at Chapters a few weeks ago and thought I might like to pick it up soon (I was more in the mood for a female author at the time so got The Whirlpool by Jane Urquhart instead) & now I don't have to. So it will eventually be read, probably enjoyed, most likely ringed, and maybe released in the wild on some future Canada Day.
 

Journal Entry 4 by Ibis3 from Newcastle, Ontario Canada on Sunday, November 19, 2006

This was an unusual book for me--I really liked parts of it and really disliked other parts--real mountain and valley stuff. Sometimes the writing seemed self-conscious and was a bit of a turn off and then other times it was absolutely brilliant. I didn't particularly like David. He was really selfish and snobbish & disrespectful toward his family. I get that he was a bit of a square peg in a round hole, but at least when his family members did something that made him feel bad, they didn't do it on purpose. I really enjoyed the parts about his parents--at times I wished the book had been about them instead of David, and his descriptions of the seasons and of Christmas were great too. I'm glad I read the book due to having read those passages alone (I mean it was worth it just to have read them, even if there had been no other good parts--and there were of course). It really did seem like a Canadian Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. 

Journal Entry 5 by Ibis3 from Newcastle, Ontario Canada on Wednesday, January 10, 2007

I'm finally sending this out on its ring. :)

Ring Guidelines:

1. When you receive the book, make a journal entry to let me know it got to you ok.
2. When you're done, make a journal entry and let us know what you thought.
3. PM the person next in order (please check here for the current order) for a current mailing address (please confirm that they're ready to receive the book).
4. Mail the book, make a journal entry and mark the book as travelling.

*keep the book for a maximum of 4 weeks. If you feel you can't read it in this amount of time, or you wish to be skipped for any reason, let me know & I'll rearrange the mailing order.
*feel free to include a postcard, bookmark or other trinket with the book.

Thanks & have fun reading!

Order of go:
sent January 10/07
1. NMReader (New Mexico, USA) - arrived January 22/07;
2. bibliotreker (Pennsylvania, USA)
3. ajsmom (British Columbia, Canada)
4. eicuthbertson (British Columbia, Canada)
5. ldpaulson (California, USA)
6. Sujie (New South Wales, Australia)
... Back to Ibis3 (Ontario, Canada)
 

Journal Entry 6 by NMReader from Herndon, Virginia USA on Monday, January 22, 2007

I found this in my mailbox today. I have the book I am reading and one other before I can start this one. I am greatly looking forward to reading it. 

Journal Entry 7 by NMReader from Herndon, Virginia USA on Sunday, February 18, 2007

I didn't get to finish the book due to a busy work schedule and some previous reading commitments. I am passing on to the next reader.

I enjoyed what i had read. 

Journal Entry 8 by NMReader at Post Office in by mail, a fellow bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, February 18, 2007

Released 5 yrs ago (2/18/2007 UTC) at Post Office in by mail, a fellow bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

I plan to take to the PO this afternoon. If not I will take on Tuesday as Monday is Presidents' Day 

Journal Entry 9 by bibliotreker from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA on Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Received in the mail yesterday from New Mexico and I've already started reading it. Only read a little bit but so far like the authors style of writing. Thanks NMReader. 

Journal Entry 10 by bibliotreker from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA on Tuesday, March 13, 2007

This was definitely not the type of book I like to rush through. Some of passages I wanted read and reread. I loved the metaphors, the descriptions, the personification of the surrounding,(to Martha, "when the days work was done and the supper over the kitchen seemed to smile")the seasons, the holidays (especially the family Christmas), the thoughts, the feeling of the main characters. It's a family saga, of Martha and her home, Ellen the grandmother and her memories, David of his dreams and of his closness to his twin sister Anna, of growing up in the country during a time when the world was changing.

I have e-mailed ajsmom who's next on the list. 

Journal Entry 11 by bibliotreker from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA on Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Mailed today. Held on to this one a bit since ajsmom was out of town for a while. 

Journal Entry 12 by ajsmom from Quesnel, British Columbia Canada on Thursday, March 29, 2007

Received today, thank you! 

Journal Entry 13 by ajsmom from Quesnel, British Columbia Canada on Sunday, April 08, 2007

I enjoyed this book, though it wasn't a quick read. I thought the main character, David, was an odd choice for a protagonist and then I decided that he wasn't. He was very different from the rest of the family, which maybe gave him the tools to portray them honestly. I felt badly for him after the fall and living with chronic pain - which I decided gave way to a stroke. (??) I liked the descriptions of life pre-War and post-War, as well as rural vs. "town". More great CanLit from Ibis!

I have PM'd eicuthbertson and will have this in the mail once I hear back. 

Journal Entry 14 by ajsmom at By mail in Fellow Bookcrosser, A Bookray -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Released 5 yrs ago (4/11/2007 UTC) at By mail in Fellow Bookcrosser, A Bookray -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

Sent to eicuthbertson this afternoon. 

Journal Entry 15 by eicuthbertson from Burnaby, British Columbia Canada on Friday, April 20, 2007

Received in the mail today. Thanks! 

Journal Entry 16 by eicuthbertson from Burnaby, British Columbia Canada on Wednesday, May 30, 2007

I loved the language and descriptions in this novel...and the contrast with the bare and often hurtful conversations.
Didn't like the ending!

This novel is now on its way to California. 

Journal Entry 17 by ldpaulson from Ventura, California USA on Tuesday, June 05, 2007

Just arrived and is waiting to be read. 

Journal Entry 18 by ldpaulson from Ventura, California USA on Thursday, August 09, 2007

What an amazing and slow read. This is not the book you want to zip through. It calls to be read at a pace as slow as those of the rural lives described.

From what I remember, it seems this book has much in common with Earl Hamner''s SPENCER''S MOUNTAIN in that they both have young men who are bound to the land as main characters and whose struggle with escaping, but remaining tied to family is chronicled. There are other similarities, but I won''t dare divulge those spoilers.
 

Journal Entry 19 by ldpaulson from Ventura, California USA on Thursday, August 09, 2007

Waiting to hear from the next reader. 

Journal Entry 20 by Ibis3 from Newcastle, Ontario Canada on Sunday, May 11, 2008

ISO ldpaulson: Did you get send this book to Sujie? If so, please journal it and let me know its status. Thank you.