Journal Entry 1 by Ibis3 from Newcastle, Ontario Canada on Saturday, February 03, 2007

From the back cover:
"Affectionately combining both the idyllic and the ironic, Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town is Stephen Leacock's most beloved book. Set in fictional Mariposa, an Ontario town on the shore of Lake Wissanotti, these sketches present a remarkable range of characters: some irritating, some exasperating, some foolhardy, but all endearing. Painted with the skilful brushstrokes of a great comic artist, the delightful inhabitants of Mariposa represent the people of small towns everywhere.

As fresh, funny, and insightful today as when it was first published in 1912, Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town is Stephen Leacock at his best -- colourful, imaginative, and throroughly entertaining." 

Journal Entry 2 by Ibis3 from Newcastle, Ontario Canada on Saturday, July 28, 2007

I was prepared to like this book but not to love it -- my general feeling about the companion book, Arcadian Adventures. However, I found myself liking this one even more. The first chapter/sketch was a little slow and not so humourous but I found it improved immensely from there on in. Of course everyone talks out The Marine Excursion (i.e. the chapter about The Mariposa Belle) and yes, it was laugh out loud funny, but I think my favourite story was about The Reverend Mr. Drone and the Beacon on the Hill. Of course the ever-resourceful Mr Smith to the rescue again! I thought it bogged down a little in the election parts (to have it just a bit shorter would have been fine) but still amusing and appropo to today's politics. I also really enjoyed the final chapter, with its nostalgia and poignancy. I'll definitely read more of Leacock and at least parts of this book will be joining my list of all-time favourite humourous lit. 

Journal Entry 3 by Ibis3 from Newcastle, Ontario Canada on Monday, August 13, 2007

This book is being sent on a bookring. You know the rules. :)

Order of go:
1. Thursday5 (Columbus, OH)
2. Maurean (Atlantic Beach, FL)
3. Bug2004 (Nebraska, USA)
4. bibliotreker (Pennsylvania, USA)
5. molekilby (Wales, UK)
6. GateGypsy (Yukon, Canada)
... Back to Ibis3 (Ontario, Canada) 

Journal Entry 4 by Thursday5 from Columbus, Ohio USA on Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Book arrived in the US safe and sound. I am looking forward to reading this book. 

Journal Entry 5 by Thursday5 from Columbus, Ohio USA on Saturday, September 08, 2007

Superb writing-brilliant humor, characters, and sense of time and place. Another book from Ibis3 whose images continue to stay in my mind long past the time when I have finished reading the book.

I will PM the next person in the book ring and get the book sent on as soon as I get the address. 

Journal Entry 6 by Maurean from Atlantic Beach, Florida USA on Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Arrived in Florida, safe & sound. This is my first experience with this author, altho it states that he's written a bio on both Twain & Dickens (both whom I love), and after reading the preface of the book, I get a sense of a sort of Twain-esque 'feel' to his writing, I think I'm going to enjoy this little tale!

Thanks for sharin' it, Ibis, and I will journal again as soon as I've finished it. 

Journal Entry 7 by Maurean from Atlantic Beach, Florida USA on Monday, October 08, 2007

I'm a bit ashamed to say that this was the first I've HEARD of Mr. Leacock, let alone READ any of his many works. I thoroughly enjoyed this small town tale and the inhabitant characters I found within the pages.

Thanks so much for sharing it, Ibis, and as I've already procured Bug2004's addy, I will send this along on my next PO run. 

Journal Entry 8 by Bug2004 from Omaha, Nebraska USA on Thursday, October 11, 2007

Re'cvd today. Thanks for sharing! 

Journal Entry 9 by Bug2004 from Omaha, Nebraska USA on Thursday, November 08, 2007

At first, I wasn't sure if this was going to be terribly enjoyable for me. The first tale, while interesting, was very dry. However, it improved for me as it went along. Very funny in parts and a very warm feeling throughout. I am interested to read more by this author.

Thanks so much for sharing, Ibis3!!!! 

Journal Entry 10 by Bug2004 from Omaha, Nebraska USA on Wednesday, November 28, 2007

So sorry for the delay....real life just got in the way!!

On it's way to bibliotreker today. 

Journal Entry 11 by bibliotreker from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA on Thursday, December 06, 2007

Arrived today, thanks all. I'll get right on it. 

Journal Entry 12 by bibliotreker from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA on Wednesday, December 12, 2007

I really liked this one so much better than Leacock's "Arcadian Adventures with the Idle Rich." Found his sense of humor and irony refreshing. My favorite chapter,too, was the one on the excursion of the Bell. I wanted to read passages again and again, just for the sheer enjoyment of it. He really conveys the human condition, still now as it was then. I found the last chapter pleasant way to end my visit to the little town of Mariposa. This was a great one, Ibis,thanks.

Will contact Molekilby, next in line.

12/15
It's on it's way to the U.K. (hey! that rhymes) via air mail. Enjoy!



 

Journal Entry 13 by molekilby from BRITHDIR, Wales United Kingdom on Friday, December 21, 2007

Arrived today. Thanks bibliotreker for sending (and for the card) and to Ibis3 for sharing. I am looking forward to reading this as I did enjoy Leacock's Arcadian Adventures. This may be started in the New Year as I'm reading seasonal books at present. 

Journal Entry 14 by molekilby from BRITHDIR, Wales United Kingdom on Monday, January 07, 2008

A pleasant collection of scenes. Although the charcters have old fashioned traits, you can certainly see parallels to modern life from their interactions with one another. The Mariposa Belle incident was amusing and each situation was penned with great detail. I particularly liked the election pieces and in many ways it was a reminder of the election in "The Pickwick Papers". A book whose wit will stay with me for a long while.

Will now contact the next person and mail it out as soon as. 

Journal Entry 15 by molekilby at Mailed from Post Office in n/a, Mailed to another bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Released 4 yrs ago (1/8/2008 UTC) at Mailed from Post Office in n/a, Mailed to another bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

Sent surface mail to the next on the list 

Journal Entry 16 by GateGypsy from Whitehorse, Yukon Canada on Friday, March 07, 2008

Hi, mole! :wave:

This arrived safe in the mail today. I'll set this on my stack of TBR bookrings and get to it as quickly as I can, but it won't be before the end of April. Thanks!