Journal Entry 1 by alrescate from Strafford, Missouri USA on Sunday, December 29, 2002

I ran across this and decided to give it a try because I like the actress Sela Ward. While it isn't quite as humorous as the "Sweet Potato Queens" books it does give you a glimpse into a "Southern" mind. Sela Ward's voice is occassionally akward but more often it is like listening to a friend talk about herself. After reading this I would have to say that she sounds like someone you would want as your friend. 

Journal Entry 2 by alrescate at -- By Hand or Post, Ray/ring, Rabck in Springfield, Missouri USA on Thursday, January 30, 2003

Released on Wednesday, January 29, 2003 To another BookCrosser in Springfield, Missouri USA.

This is on the way to Mercer Island! 

Journal Entry 3 by gailflig on Monday, February 03, 2003

I just got this book in the mail. Thanks, alrescate! 

Journal Entry 4 by gailflig on Sunday, April 13, 2003

I was a big fan of Once and Again, the tv show with Sela Ward, so I was curious about this book. I enjoyed learning about her life, although it is really weird to read a biography by someone in their forties. Sela is a strong believer that life in the South is superior to anywhere else. I had a hard time swallowing that one. She is somewhat politically naive. But I enjoyed this book and read it in one long sitting. 

Journal Entry 5 by gailflig at Giving to individual to read and release in Mercer Island, Washington USA on Sunday, April 13, 2003

Released on Sunday, April 13, 2003 at Giving to individual to read and release in Mercer Island, Washington USA.

I'm sending this book to katers. 

Journal Entry 6 by kayters from Lawrenceville, Georgia USA on Wednesday, May 07, 2003

Journal Entry 7 by kayters from Lawrenceville, Georgia USA on Friday, May 30, 2003

I found Sela Ward a refreshing voice of normalcy in the unreality that is LA and Hollywood, more specifically. Having grown up in the bastion of southernness that is Meridian, MS, graduated from 'Bama and then gone off to New York to seek her fortune (after a brief stint in Memphis - this story is hiliarious and I totally related to her "drinking" problem) - Ward eventually ventures out to LA where she becomes the famous actress we all know her as. Along the way she marries, a non-actor, and has two children. During this time, she never lets go of her hometown or family. They continue to play a very important role in her life. Once she is married, she and her husband purchase land back in her home state of MS and build a farm because she wanted to "go back to her roots" in a sense. It is very hard for me to explain this book - you just have to read it. Great if you are looking for a glimmer of hope in Hollywood's madness and also a great book to read for those who want to reclaim something of their childhood. 

Journal Entry 8 by kayters from Lawrenceville, Georgia USA on Monday, June 02, 2003

Here is the order for the book ray:

1. Talkland - UK
2. Robotti - NJ <----- currently reading
3. Grover3D - WV
4. RayneBair - AL
5. WarEagle78 - AL
6. JKate - CA
7. DeMille02 - WA 

Journal Entry 9 by talkland from Eastbourne, East Sussex United Kingdom on Tuesday, July 15, 2003

The book arrived yesterday morning (it is now early the next day). Thank you Kayters for sending this too me. I have two book rays ahead of this to read, but don't worry folks, I am a fast reader and should be finished this by the end of the week. 

Journal Entry 10 by talkland from Eastbourne, East Sussex United Kingdom on Tuesday, July 22, 2003

I read this book without ever seeing Sela Ward on the television or in films. This did not matter as the memoir is more about her connection with her family and childhood hometown. It is a journey about how Sela wanted go back to her roots, but was living away from them. We all carry our childhood with us, those days mould us into who we become. How we keep the good things, the happy times with us from then is was this memoir is about.

The one incidents in the book which interested me most was her reaction to 9/11. This is the first real account of the terrorist attacks by an ordinary person I had read. Not being an American, I did not understand before how much this day has changed the way America feels about itself and the world. I believe that the feeling of vulnerability is a new and frightening one for the American nation.

The death of Sela's mother did make me cry because it paralleled the death of my grandma (my mum's mother) who died of the same disease. The family also gathered to be with her in her last days. When I realised that this time Nan was not going to go home from the hospice, I told my mother the end was near. Nan had asked for Mum and hung on to life so that her daughter was at her side when she died. Nan was a brave lady who had had a tough life, she had fought her illness to her dying breath. I am glad that I was privileged to get to be with her in the last days and be with her while she left this world. She is now at peace, and seeing her spirit go and the way she looked and was at the end has convinced me that there is more to existence than this life. It was my Nan's parting gift to me.

 

Journal Entry 11 by talkland at on Tuesday, September 16, 2003

Released on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 to a fellow bookcrosser mailed in Eastbourne, England United Kingdom.

I did actually post this in July, but forgot to do release notes for it. I mailed it to Robotti but I don't know if she has it or not.