Journal Entry 1 by SqueakyChu from Rockville, Maryland USA on Friday, March 02, 2007

I bought this book at the Friends of the Library used bookstore in Rockville, Maryland.

Am I crazy or what? I buy books I've already read and loved just to mail them to others to read. Enjoy this trade paperback book of short stories, everyone! I sure did.

From the back of the book:
"Winner of the 2000 Pulitzer Prize for fiction, this stunning debut collection unerringly charts the emotional journeys of characters seeking love beyond the barriers of nations and generations...A writer of uncommon sensitivity and restraint..." (Wall Street Journal)

Opening lines of the book:
"The notice informed them that it was a temporary matter: for five days their electricity would be cut off for one hour, beginning at eight p.m. A line had gone down in the last snowstorm, and the repairmen were going to take advantage of the milder evenings to..." ("A Temporary Matter")

Begin International Bookray (3/2/07):
SqueakyChu (Maryland, USA) done
house-elf (Canada) done
geishabird (Canada) done
Bug2004 (Nebraska, USA) done
BookishBunny (South Carolina, USA) done
aboojum1 (UK) done
lwry-m (UK) done
concertina8 (Austria) done
le7 (Texas, USA) done -- 1 year of travel
Sujie (Australia) done -- stop # 10
Wandering-B (Hong Kong) done
Pell (Italy) done -- 2 years of travel
mikopikotrain (California, USA) done
allthesepieces (Pennsylvania, USA) done
valerief (New York, USA) done
spaceystacey (New Jersey, USA) done -- 3 years of travel
jeskawest (Washington state, USA) done
tracy920 (North Carolina, USA) done
nancynova (Pennsylvania, USA) done
mrsgaskell (Canada) done -- stop # 20
LittleDachshund (Bulgaria) done
RonOren (UK) done
ruzena (Finland) done
tohweiee (China) done
starflash (UK) done
mafarrimond (UK) done
jules5 (UK) done -- 4 years of travel
SerendipityN (Germany) done
LilyKlip (Germany) done
silvia-pco (Portugal) done - 5 years of travel - Stop #30
Nakipa (Portugal) done
kally93 (Canada) done
timcorke (UK)
End International Bookray (5/26/12):

This bookray ended because no further participants could be found for it after its arrival with timcorke in UK. This book travelled for five years to 10 countries including 10 states within the USA. Thanks all for participating!!

FYI: Hurray!! found this book today (5/26/12) in the list of 100 Most Traveled Bookcrossing Books. It was #100. :) 

Journal Entry 2 by SqueakyChu from Rockville, Maryland USA on Saturday, March 17, 2007

I already mailed this book. I think I sent it out last week. I'm not sure of the date.

Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 3 by house-elf from Brookfield, Nova Scotia Canada on Saturday, March 17, 2007

Hi! The book arrived in the mail yesterday and I began to read it today. Thanks for starting the bookray SqueakyChu. I am enjoying it so far and will post again when I have finished it. 

Journal Entry 4 by house-elf from Brookfield, Nova Scotia Canada on Saturday, March 31, 2007

It's been a long time since I read a book of short stories. I really enjoyed reading them.

"A Temporary Matter" was my favorite of the stories I think. The atmosphere created by the author was melancholy but in a strangely sweet way. I also enjoyed "Mrs.Sen's" and "The Third and Final Continent". Each story presents snippets of pivotal moments or events in otherwise ordinary lives.

Thanks for starting the bookray SqueakyChu. As soon as I get CdnLibrarian's address I will send it off. 

Journal Entry 5 by geishabird from Toronto, Ontario Canada on Friday, April 20, 2007

Received; thank you! I have a few reading "obligations" on my plate right now (it all seems to happen at once sometimes, doesn't it?) but will try to get to this one as soon as possible. I've developed a real fondness for writers of Indian background and am looking forward to the read. 

Journal Entry 6 by geishabird from Toronto, Ontario Canada on Wednesday, May 02, 2007

I really enjoyed this collection. Lahiri has an engaging style and her descriptions of the small sorrows and joys in her characters' lives are touching and endearing. Favourites? Probably "Sexy" and "At Mrs. Sen's" although certainly Mrs. Croft from "The Third And Final Continent" has to be the most memorable character! I was reminded a bit of Dorothy Parker's stories while reading this; she too writes about small events that are tragic in their own ways. I'll definitely want to read The Namesake after this and anything else Lahiri comes out with. Thanks for the intro to a new author!

I'll PM bug2004 and get this on its way as soon as possible. Thanks for sharing. 

Journal Entry 7 by geishabird from Toronto, Ontario Canada on Saturday, May 05, 2007

Off in the mail today to Bug2004...enjoy!

(And I should add a warning to future readers: I have had such a craving for Indian food this past week...) 

Journal Entry 8 by Bug2004 from Omaha, Nebraska USA on Thursday, May 10, 2007

Re'cvd today. Have 2 ahead of it, but will get to it asap. Thanks for sharing! 

Journal Entry 9 by Bug2004 from Omaha, Nebraska USA on Saturday, August 25, 2007

First and foremost, so sorry for having this for so long!!!! No excuse, other than a crazy summer....so sorry!!!!

The book is perfect!! One of those writers that is born w/ the gift, no doubt about it!!! I just loved this set of stories!!!! They were all so real, just magic. Thanks so much for sharing!!!!!!

 

Journal Entry 10 by Bug2004 from Omaha, Nebraska USA on Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Ugh....I am so sorry everyone!!!!!!! I forgot to log this and it took me forever, but this is on it's way to BookishBunny. 

Journal Entry 11 by bookishbunny from Columbia, South Carolina USA on Tuesday, October 30, 2007

I'm a little late journaling. I'll be reading it soon (as in next). Looking forward to it! 

Journal Entry 12 by bookishbunny from Columbia, South Carolina USA on Tuesday, January 15, 2008

What a great collection of stories! I could have read a few more. But alas, it is a slim volume. Off to aboojum1 next! 

Journal Entry 13 by aboojum1 from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Saturday, March 29, 2008

The book arrived safely today in a blue wrapper. Thanks for moving it on. I have already started to read it. 

Journal Entry 14 by aboojum1 from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Friday, April 04, 2008

Wonderfully well written set of stories. Lahiri's sad and wistful stories of separation and cultural alienation span three continents and several generations. They are so subtle and convincing that it is amazing that this is her first book. I also really enjoyed The Namesake and recommend it to those who liked this one.

My wife is now reading this book but I will pass it on very soon. 

Journal Entry 15 by aboojum1 from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Saturday, April 12, 2008

Well my wife has finished the book and really enjoyed it too. Thanks SqueakyChu for starting the bookray and giving us the chance to share the pleasure of reading it.

I have sent it off to the next reader, lwry-m in Merseyside UK, this morning. 

Journal Entry 16 by lwry-m on Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Arrived safely yesterday - thanks. Will be next in line to be read.

Enjoyed this book, sent on to next in line. 

Journal Entry 17 by concertina8 from Wien Bezirk 13 - Hietzing, Wien Austria on Monday, May 05, 2008

Look what I found in my mailbox.... 

Journal Entry 18 by concertina8 from Wien Bezirk 13 - Hietzing, Wien Austria on Friday, May 23, 2008

I am less enthusiastic about this collection than the BCers reading it before me.

Most of the stories were ok, I guess, solid writing and all that. To me they were mostly slow. I have "The Namesake" on TBR and maybe I will enjoy a novel by Lahiri more.

I seem to be falling out of love with the short story format....

I have not yet heard back from Terpiscore, I believe she is out of the country. 

Journal Entry 19 by concertina8 from Wien Bezirk 13 - Hietzing, Wien Austria on Monday, June 16, 2008

The book is still with me.
I do have the next address but unfortunately my job took over for the moment and I never make it out of work in time for the post office. I will try my best to somehow manage to send it off soon.
I am terribly sorry for stalling. 

Journal Entry 20 by concertina8 at another bookcrossing member in by mail, a fellow bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases on Monday, July 07, 2008

Released 3 yrs ago (7/7/2008 UTC) at another bookcrossing member in by mail, a fellow bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

I am very sorry it took me this long (life got in the way...) to mail this on, but it is now on its way to Israel. 

Journal Entry 21 by le7 from efrat, gush eztiyon Israel on Wednesday, July 16, 2008

its here!
thanks for the cool stamp - my son is over the moon ;0)

this is next up and i hope i will finish before my move soon.

thanks for sharing! 

Journal Entry 22 by le7 from efrat, gush eztiyon Israel on Saturday, August 09, 2008

Just finished today.
i was somewhat disappointed. after enjoying The namesake very much, this was a bit of a let-down. i found the characters underdeveloped and the stories sort of died before they took off. the only one i really enjoyed was the very last one. Maybe because like the hero, i started reading the book on one continent and ended it on another.

thanks so much for sharing!

PMed the next on the list after me. I'm in the US now and will send as soon as i have an address 

Journal Entry 23 by le7 from efrat, gush eztiyon Israel on Monday, August 25, 2008

finally!
part of the delay was to get the address and then to get to the postoffice. sorry!

sent to Sujie this morning.

enjoy! 

Journal Entry 24 by Sujie from Kangaroo Valley, New South Wales Australia on Tuesday, September 02, 2008

Thanks, le7, arrived today. Wow! From the illustrious gameplayer, SqueakyChu, too. I have actually read this, but several years ago and then I gave it to my daughter, so I will look forward to a re-read. 

Journal Entry 25 by Sujie from Kangaroo Valley, New South Wales Australia on Thursday, September 11, 2008

Thanks for this. As good and poignant as I remembered. For my birthday this month my daughter sent me a lovely hardback edition of Lahiri's novel, "Unaccustomed Earth", so she must be psychic.
Have PMed Wandering-B. 

Journal Entry 26 by wandering-B from Tai Po, New Territories Hong Kong on Monday, September 22, 2008

Received today. Thanks SqueakyChu for starting the ray and Sujie for sending it to me. I'll get to it as quickly as possible - I have two other rings in front of it. 

Journal Entry 27 by wandering-B from Tai Po, New Territories Hong Kong on Monday, October 06, 2008

I enjoyed reading this collection of stories so very much. Good solid writing with interesting subjects and characters. I found This Blessed House most amusing, and When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dine more than a little haunting. Thanks again to all for sharing, mailing along to Pell 

Journal Entry 28 by Pell from Canino, Lazio Italy on Thursday, January 22, 2009

Thank you Wandering B book arrived this morning with 2 others, I will try to read it asap
Also thank you SqeakyChu for starting this ring. 

Journal Entry 29 by Pell from Canino, Lazio Italy on Thursday, February 26, 2009

Loved this book I seem to be reading quite a few books recently with short stories and have thoroughly enjoyed them. Jhumpa Lahiri has a beautiful way of writing and would reccomend reading this one. Will be emailing mikopikotrain for address and will forward it on 

Journal Entry 30 by Pell from Canino, Lazio Italy on Monday, March 09, 2009

Thank you SqueakyChu for starting this ring. Posted off to Mikopikotrain today, hope you enjoy. 

Journal Entry 31 by mikopikotrain from Palo Alto, California USA on Monday, March 30, 2009

Arrived safely! Will start reading soon! 

Journal Entry 32 by mikopikotrain from Palo Alto, California USA on Sunday, October 04, 2009

I'm not usually a short stories person, but I really enjoyed this collection! I think the author has a lot of skill in developing multi-dimensional characters without needing to reply on longer format. Lately I have found myself drawn to stories about people living within a culture as an outsider- this book presents a variety of this type of experience beautifully.
I'll be sending this off in the mail shortly to the next participant!
Thanks for sharing! 

Journal Entry 33 by allthesepieces from Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania USA on Sunday, October 11, 2009

The book arrived in Pennsylvania a few days ago. Thanks so much for sending this to me! I have one more book I need to finish before starting another, but I should be able to get to this one soon. I'm looking forward to it. 

Journal Entry 34 by allthesepieces from Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania USA on Monday, November 09, 2009

Just checking in. I'm only about halfway through the book, but I expect I should finish reading it either tonight or tomorrow. I've sent a PM to the next participant to request shipping information.

So far, this has been a very different kind of book for me, but I'm enjoying it very much.

Okay. Be back soon!

11-18-09 Edit: I have to say that I really enjoyed reading this. The writing was incredibly lucid even if the subject matter didn't seem memorable. Each story was like a glimpse into part of another person's life, though the stories left off before I felt like I could become familiar with any of the characters. In that way, it seemed like the book was examining choices and behaviors rather than just the people who make them. (And really, any one of us could make the same choices given the right circumstances.) It was a very interesting approach.

I have to agree with Wandering-B. When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dine was very haunting!

I'm going to tuck a recipe for samosa into the front cover. Thanks for the chance to read this! 

Journal Entry 35 by allthesepieces at Fellow Bookcrosser, A Bookray -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Released 2 yrs ago (11/19/2009 UTC) at Fellow Bookcrosser, A Bookray -- Controlled Releases

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Sorry about the delay. I've been working the same hours our post office is open. I'm going to ask Mum to drop this off for me tomorrow.

Batty14 has asked to be skipped, so the book is on its way to valerief. Happy reading! 

Journal Entry 36 by valerief from Forest Hills, New York USA on Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Happy 2010! This arrived in December while I was in the midst of a large work project and the holiday madness. Should finish reading this quick book by the end of the week. Not sure if I got SqueakyChu's PM - sorry for the delay! 

Journal Entry 37 by valerief at sent to the next bookcrosser, Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Released 2 yrs ago (2/10/2010 UTC) at sent to the next bookcrosser, Bookring -- Controlled Releases

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Got spaceystacey's address - thanks! 

Journal Entry 38 by spaceystacey from Bridgeton, New Jersey USA on Saturday, February 20, 2010

Received in the post today. Opened by USPS for media mail inspection and re-taped. Will be reading during the next few weeks.


What a wonderful read. Thank you so much for sharing. Sent on to the next reader on the list: jeskawest. 

Journal Entry 39 by jeskawest from Bellevue, Washington USA on Wednesday, April 14, 2010

I received this in the mail a couple of days ago. I plan on starting it today! 

Journal Entry 40 by jeskawest from Bellevue, Washington USA on Friday, April 23, 2010

I do not usually go out of my way to read books of short stories, unless they are recommended to me for some reason. I wanted to read this one because it is a Pulitzer prize winner. It did not disappoint.
I loved most of the stories in this book, and even the ones which I didn't love, I still must say I enjoyed. They were perfect in short story format, although now I do want to read other books by Lahiri, just to read more of her style. This is a lovely book to read. 

Journal Entry 41 by jeskawest at A bookray, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases on Friday, April 23, 2010

Released 2 yrs ago (4/23/2010 UTC) at A bookray, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Got this one in the mail to tracy920! 

Journal Entry 42 by tracy920 from Greensboro, North Carolina USA on Saturday, May 01, 2010

Just got the book, can't wait to start reading. 

Journal Entry 43 by tracy920 at sent by mail, A Bookray -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, May 27, 2010

Released 2 yrs ago (5/27/2010 UTC) at sent by mail, A Bookray -- Controlled Releases

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

on its way to nancynova 

Journal Entry 44 by NancyNova at Lansdale, Pennsylvania USA on Saturday, May 29, 2010

rec'd book today. Added to TBR bookray/ring section. Three ahead of it. Will post in the list of rings/rays on my profile when that's fixed! 

Journal Entry 45 by NancyNova at Lansdale, Pennsylvania USA on Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Adding to my commute bag to start reading! 

Journal Entry 46 by NancyNova at Lansdale, Pennsylvania USA on Tuesday, June 29, 2010

I liked this collection of short stories better than her other book. Some happy, some sad, some just thought-provoking. There's no one story that stands out from the others - although, like the namesake, it made me aware of cultural differences.

What would it be like to be cooped up in a foreign country, with none of the family/village gathering and rituals you were so used to, totally dependent on your husband because you were never raised to be anything else? I can't possibly imagine.

Off to Canada next - by Saturday at the latest. 

Journal Entry 47 by NancyNova at Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada on Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Released 1 yr ago (7/2/2010 UTC) at Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 48 by mrsgaskell at Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada on Saturday, July 17, 2010

I was away for a week and it was nice to get home last night and find a bookcrossing parcel waiting for me. Thanks for sending the book on to me and for the bookmarks, bookcrossing label and stickers, Nancynova.

I just finished my latest book and was wondering what to read next so the timing is perfect. 

Journal Entry 49 by mrsgaskell at Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada on Monday, July 19, 2010

I tend to read and much prefer novels to short stories but this was an excellent collection of stories, each briefly drawing the reader deeply into the characters' lives and culture. The author poignantly captured the experience of immigrants and first-generation Americans. My favourite was Mrs. Sen's but I enjoyed all of them.

I have pm'd LittleDachshund for his/her address.

Thanks for including me in this ray SqueakyChu! 

Journal Entry 50 by mrsgaskell at Bookring, By Post -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Released 1 yr ago (7/20/2010 UTC) at Bookring, By Post -- Controlled Releases

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

The book is now In the hands of Canada Post, on its way to LittleDachshund in Bulgaria via airmail. 

Journal Entry 51 by LittleDachshund at София / Sofia, Sofiya Bulgaria on Saturday, July 31, 2010

The book arrived safely. Thank you mrsgaskell for the postcard and the bookmark. You made me feel special!

I'm eager to start reading these short stories as I've read The Namesake a few months ago and liked it very much. I hear the stories are even better. 

Journal Entry 52 by LittleDachshund at София / Sofia, Sofiya Bulgaria on Wednesday, August 04, 2010

These short stories are superb. The author reveals masterfully the emotions of Indian immigrants in the US. Quite clearly there's an abyss between the Indian and the "Western" cultures and ways of life. In the process of adaptation to their new home country the immigrants end up neither completely American, nor completely Indian. And that's in case they succeed to adapt. I think that's why most of the stories are sad, but brilliant.

I PMed to the next reader and will send the book as soon as I get the address. 

Journal Entry 53 by LittleDachshund at София / Sofia, Sofiya Bulgaria on Saturday, August 07, 2010

Released 1 yr ago (8/7/2010 UTC) at София / Sofia, Sofiya Bulgaria

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Off by post to RonOren. 

Journal Entry 54 by RonOren at Cambridge, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Just arrived, in perfect time to slot into the morning commute :-). Looking forward to getting my teeth sunk into this one, tomorrow. 

Journal Entry 55 by RonOren at Cambridge, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom on Saturday, August 21, 2010

I thought that was lovely! I liked the culture clash, or maybe mix, of Indian meeting Western culture. Even in something like A Temporary Matter, where the protagonists' culture shouldn't really make much of a difference, this mix had some effect, if nothing else on the mood of the story.

It's hard to pick which was my favourite. I'm tempted to say A Temporary Matter (I love the dual meaning of the title), but maybe that's just because it was the first? The Third and Final Continent was really nice too, very sweet. Oh let's be honest, they were all pretty good stories. I've never read anything by Jhumpa Lahiri, but I'd love to get my hands on more of her books!

Thanks for sharing this, SqueakyChu! It's not very often I find a new author I enjoy so much, so the opportunity to read this is very much appreciated. I'll get in touch with ruzena and try to get the book moving on in the next few days. 

Journal Entry 56 by RonOren at Cambridge, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Released 1 yr ago (8/25/2010 UTC) at Cambridge, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Sent to ruzena. Hope you'll enjoy it! 

Journal Entry 57 by ruzena at Hämeenlinna, Kanta-Häme Finland on Thursday, September 02, 2010

Arrived. Thank you! Great expectations :) 

Journal Entry 58 by ruzena at Hämeenlinna, Kanta-Häme Finland on Monday, September 27, 2010

Journal Entry 59 by ruzena at By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Monday, September 27, 2010

Released 1 yr ago (9/27/2010 UTC) at By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

On the way to China. 

Journal Entry 60 by tohweiee at Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu China on Thursday, October 07, 2010

Received! Thanks SqueakyChu for the ray, and thanks ruzena for sending it along. Have got one and a half books to finish. Will get to this one after those are done.  

Journal Entry 61 by tohweiee at Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu China on Sunday, November 28, 2010

Have finally started on this one. I like it so far. Will try to finish it soon and send it on its way. 

Journal Entry 62 by tohweiee at Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu China on Sunday, December 12, 2010

I loved it! I agree with RonOren that it really is difficult to pick a favourite but I guess Mr Sen's and The Third and Final Continent get my first votes.

Will try to send a PM to Wendyv. With any luck, she might at least reply to say if she would still like to receive the book. If I don't get any reply in another day or two then I will PM starflash.

Thanks again SqueakyChu for sharing this!  

Journal Entry 63 by tohweiee at Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu China on Monday, December 20, 2010

Released 1 yr ago (12/19/2010 UTC) at Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu China

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

On to starflash. Enjoy!  

Journal Entry 64 by starflash at Crawley, West Sussex United Kingdom on Thursday, January 13, 2011

Arrived at work today, with a small slit inthe package where it had been examined by customs! Thank you for sending it and for the postcard xx I have one and a half before this, but hey are small books! 

Journal Entry 65 by starflash at Crawley, West Sussex United Kingdom on Sunday, February 06, 2011

Released 1 yr ago (2/7/2011 UTC) at Crawley, West Sussex United Kingdom

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

OFF TO THE NEXT PARTICIPANT TOMORROW IN THE POST, address from RABCK.com.

For a first book, this was a nice little set of stories. I recently read Olive Kitteridge, another set of Pulizer short stories and I didn't think the books were in the same league. I would try more by this author though, without a doubt. Thank you for sharing, I hope this book has a long and uneventful journey in life! 

Journal Entry 66 by mafarrimond at Hawarden, Wales United Kingdom on Saturday, February 12, 2011

The book has arrived safely. I look forward to reading it. 

Journal Entry 67 by mafarrimond at Hawarden, Wales United Kingdom on Wednesday, February 23, 2011

I loved this set of short stories. They had such colourful characters, humouress with a touch of sadness in each. If I had to pin point favourites, they would have to be A Real Durwan and The Treatment of Bibi Haldar.  

Journal Entry 68 by mafarrimond at Hawarden, Wales United Kingdom on Sunday, February 27, 2011

Released 1 yr ago (2/28/2011 UTC) at Hawarden, Wales United Kingdom

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Posting on to jules5. Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 69 by jules5 at Darlington, County Durham United Kingdom on Friday, March 04, 2011

Happily received!Great to see how well read this book is.Have just read 'A real Durwan' as my first story, and like Mafarrimond I enjoyed it but felt the ending a bit of a let-down. Looking forward to the rest of the book. Thanks! 

Journal Entry 70 by jules5 at Darlington, County Durham United Kingdom on Monday, March 21, 2011

These short stories offer snippets of the lives of seemingly ordinary people going through the motions of everyday life. Even when there is this transcultural emphasis, many of the highs and lows, joys and disappointments experienced by the characters can be recognised by the reader,whichever nationality or culture they may be. 'Sexy' really made an impact on me... although I find the sense of 'up in the air' endings lead me to forget easily the other stories.  

Journal Entry 71 by jules5 at Wuppertal, Nordrhein-Westfalen Germany on Monday, March 21, 2011

Released 1 yr ago (3/21/2011 UTC) at Wuppertal, Nordrhein-Westfalen Germany

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

On it's way to the next participant...happy reading!! 

Journal Entry 72 by SerendipityN at Wuppertal, Nordrhein-Westfalen Germany on Monday, March 28, 2011

The book arrived today, thanks for sending it and the nice postcard, Jules, I'd love to take a nice long walk there right now. :)

I read " A Temporary Matter" right away and I really liked it, I just hope all the other stories aren't this sad, too.

 

Journal Entry 73 by SerendipityN at Wuppertal, Nordrhein-Westfalen Germany on Thursday, April 07, 2011

When I signed up for this ray, SqueakyChu assured me that I'd enjoy the stories and I certainly did.

I especially liked those stories written from a kid's point of view, "When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dine" and "Mrs. Sen's".

My favourite has to be "The Third and Final Continent", though. I think it was well chosen as the final story in this collection because it left me happy and smiling.

Lahiri's writing is great and I've just added The Namesake and Unaccustomed Earth to my wishlist.

Many thanks for introducing me to his author and this bookray! :) 

Journal Entry 74 by SerendipityN at Wuppertal, Nordrhein-Westfalen Germany on Thursday, April 07, 2011

Released 1 yr ago (4/7/2011 UTC) at Wuppertal, Nordrhein-Westfalen Germany

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

It's travelling again. 

Journal Entry 75 by LilyKlip at Leipzig, Sachsen Germany on Friday, April 08, 2011

The book arrived with me today and is in amazing shape considering how long it's been traveling.

Thanks SerendipityN for the nice card, too.

I really enjoyed reading this. Thank you for sharing it. 

Journal Entry 76 by LilyKlip at Leipzig, Sachsen Germany on Sunday, May 22, 2011

Released 1 yr ago (5/22/2011 UTC) at Leipzig, Sachsen Germany

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Traveling to Portugal next. Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 77 by silvia-pco at Murtosa, Aveiro Portugal on Sunday, August 14, 2011

Here it is! Mount BR has seen better days, but I'll try to be quick! :) 

Journal Entry 78 by silvia-pco at Murtosa, Aveiro Portugal on Thursday, December 29, 2011

As requested, I'm here to update the status of this book. I'm currently reading another one and I'm about halfway, so I expect to start reading this next week and mail it out still during January. I'm sorry I've been keeping this for so long.

Happy New Year to everyone, and thanks for your patience! 

Journal Entry 79 by silvia-pco at Murtosa, Aveiro Portugal on Friday, March 30, 2012

This was a very pleasant read. I do like the occasional short stories book every now and then, and all the stories in this one had a feel very different from everything I have ever read; I guess it has a little to do with the Indian culture that is imprinted throughout the whole book.

My favourite story was by far The Third and Final Continent, Mrs. Croft was a remarkable and memorable character.

I contacted Nakipa and the book's already on its way to her, it must be arriving very soon :) Thank you very much for sharing, and sorry I kept the book for so long.  

Journal Entry 80 by Nakipa at Lisboa - City, Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Sunday, April 01, 2012

Ups, I forgot to journal this book Friday, when it arrived. This will be my next reading. Thanks for sharing this one. 

Journal Entry 81 by Nakipa at Lisboa - City, Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Loved it! My favorites stories were "When Mr. Pirzada came to dine" and "The Third and final continent" which were breathtaking. I'm looking forward to reading "The Namesake". :D 

Journal Entry 82 by Nakipa at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Friday, April 20, 2012

Released 1 mo ago (4/20/2012 UTC) at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Travelling to Kally93, after a bit of a struggle to send the book away. I hope you enjoy as much as I did. :D 

Journal Entry 83 by Kally93 at Brantford, Ontario Canada on Wednesday, May 02, 2012

Book arrived safely yesterday.

I realized after receiving the book yesterday, that I had already read it!
I guess I must have signed up for this book in a different ray as well. :$

Here is what I said about this book:
"I finished this book last night. I really enjoyed these short stories. They kept me interested enough that once I started a story I didn't put the book down until I had finished it (even when it kept me up past midnight). My favourite was also the last one, like ravencat, VictoriaWagtail and vassilka. I really liked how the main character takes the time to sit with the 100 year old women whose house he is staying in. He even drives by her house when he is older and reminisces about his time with her and how she helped him to connect with his wife. Maybe, it's a cultural thing but it just seems that respect and appreciation for older people has been lost in the "western world"."

I will contact the next person on the list and pass it on.  

Journal Entry 84 by Kally93 at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Friday, May 04, 2012

Released 3 wks ago (5/4/2012 UTC) at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Book on it's way to timcorke.

Since I would have had this book for a month, I thought it would be okay to send it by surface mail. Hopefully it doesn't take longer than that to arrive.

 

Journal Entry 85 by timcorke at Poole, Dorset United Kingdom on Saturday, May 19, 2012

Picked up today along with another BC book from my Gran's place so will get round to reading in the next few weeks..I can't wait! It'll be in England over HM Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee celebrations at the beginning of June so will be a part of the social history of the world as well :)