Journal Entry 1 by BethanieKay from Fort Worth, Texas USA on Sunday, April 15, 2007

From the back of the book:

For Katherine Givens and the four women about to become her best friends, the adventure begins with a UPS package. Inside is a pair of red sneakers filled with ashes and a note that will forever change their lives. Katherine's oldest and dearest friend, the irrepressible Annie Freeman, left one final request--a traveling funeral--and she wants the most important women in her life as "pallbearers."

From Sonoma to Manhattan, Katherine, Laura, Rebecca, Jill, and Marie will carry Annie's ashes to the special places in her life. At every stop there's a surprise encounter and a small miracle waiting, and as they whoop it up across the country, attracting interest wherever they go, they share their deepest secrets--tales of broken hearts and second chances, missed opportunities and new beginnings. And as they grieve over what they've lost, they discover how much is still possible if only they can unravel the secret Annie left them....
 

Journal Entry 2 by BethanieKay from Fort Worth, Texas USA on Sunday, April 15, 2007

This was the first book by Kris Radish that I had ever read, and I fell in love with her style of writing. She has a unique flair for weaving tales involving numerous dynamic women from various walks of life who are all able to relate to each other, if for no other reason, just because they are women. This unusual tale of a traveling funeral will grab your heart and take you along for the ride.

I want to share this book with others, so hope to send it out as a Bookray if I get enough interest. 

Journal Entry 3 by BethanieKay from Fort Worth, Texas USA on Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Updated 08MAY08

Even though I hope to get more readers for this Bookray, I'm going to go ahead and send it on its way soon so you can start enjoying the book! I am going to route this book based on logical geography and everyone's shipping preferences as follows:

1. sarradee (Texas, US - US/Canada shipping only)
2. MyssCyn (Texas, US - US shipping only)
3. fairydustwings (Ohio, US - prefers US shipping)... [Book lost/stalled here]
4. Maurean (Florida, US - prefers US/Canada shipping)
5. GrannyAnn (New York, US - prefers US shipping only)
6. Moody-Blue (Texas, US - INTL ok)
7. starbrightxx (Ohio, US - US shipping only) (Removed from bookray due to being unresponsive and unreliable ... please send to next on list)
8. spoiledrotten (New Jersey, US - US only)
9. surmisez (Massachusetts, US - prefers US)
---> Bookray is complete! Thanks to everyone for playing along :)

If anyone else expresses an interest to join this Ray, I will definitely add them ... and then hopefully the last person will Ray It Forward!! :)

Please check this journal to verify the next person you will be sending the book to, and also please remember to make a journal entry to tell me when you received the book, what you thought of the book after you read it, and when you sent it to the next reader on the list. Thanks in advance!

Enjoy, and remember... Shared books are HAPPY books!!
 

Journal Entry 4 by BethanieKay at Controlled Release in Postal Release, Mailed to another bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Released 5 yrs ago (4/18/2007 UTC) at Controlled Release in Postal Release, Mailed to another bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

This book is on its way to sarradee, the first reader in the Bookray. I look forward to tracking this book and finding out what everyone thought about the story. Enjoy!

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single release! 

Journal Entry 5 by sarradee from Dallas, Texas USA on Thursday, April 19, 2007

Arrived safely, will pass on asap. :) 

Journal Entry 6 by sarradee from Dallas, Texas USA on Saturday, May 05, 2007

This was a hard read for me and took longer than a book this size usually does. I lost my father last year around Xmas-time and I kept stopping and thinking about how much I still miss him.

I enjoyed the story and think having a traveling funeral that celebrates the life of the deceased is an absolutely fantastic idea. The character development was very good, the author really made an effort to make them realistic in their interactions.

Will be mailing to MissCyn on Monday.
 

Journal Entry 7 by MyssCyn from San Antonio, Texas USA on Wednesday, May 09, 2007

I was so excited to receive this in the mail today. (Thank you sarradee & BethanieKay) The Astros are playing, my husband is glued to the tv and I'm taking a cup of tea and retiring to my "Pacific Coast" pillow haven. If I can stay awake long enough I can post a review tomorrow. (Edited to say "What was I thinking?? review tomorrow??? sorry about that) 

Journal Entry 8 by MyssCyn from San Antonio, Texas USA on Sunday, May 27, 2007

Three weeks later.... Finally finished up today so I will get this in the mail on Tuesday, after the holiday weekend. It took me forever to read this because I had so many interruptions (2 daughters weddings and a husbands surgery)
I enjoyed it but think it would have been an even better read had I sat down and read it in a few sittings as planned. Many times I found myself crying, which I usually don't do, I atttribute that partly to age and partly to friendships I've let slip away. I know it is fiction but I also know that what we do in life can have effects we never even realize. This book clearly shows that. Thank you so much for including me BethanieKay.

I have mailed to fairydustwings.
USPS tracking # 0306 1070 0003 8417 3779 delivered 6/2 

Journal Entry 9 by fairydustwings from Columbus, Ohio USA on Monday, June 11, 2007

I am reading like mad so I can get started on this book, it looks so good. I think I'm going to need a lot of tissue :) 

Journal Entry 10 by BethanieKay from Fort Worth, Texas USA on Thursday, October 18, 2007

Ok, this bookray has been stalled for over 4 months now - and since I sincerely want to continue the ray for the sake of the remaining readers, I have located a replacement copy of this book. I will be sending it along to Maurean tomorrow. I hope it makes it all the way to the end this time! :) 

Journal Entry 11 by BethanieKay from Fort Worth, Texas USA on Thursday, October 18, 2007

Just got back from the post office. Annie is now traveling again ... on her way to Maurean in Florida. Happy travels, little book! :) 

Journal Entry 12 by Maurean from Atlantic Beach, Florida USA on Saturday, October 27, 2007

YaY!! Having read and enjoyed both "Elegant Gathering" & "Dancing Naked", I have been eagerly awaiting an opportunity to read this book. Thanks so much, BethanieKay, for sharing it, not once, but twice!

I will read this in short order, and journal again once I'm through. 

Journal Entry 13 by Maurean from Atlantic Beach, Florida USA on Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Just wanted to post a slight 'update'; I've gotten into a bit of a reading "slump" as of late, so it is taking a little longer than I had anticipated. I'm about 2/3 thru this, and will journal again upon finishing - just didn't want Bethanie to think she needed to buy a 3rd copy!! ;) 

Journal Entry 14 by Maurean from Atlantic Beach, Florida USA on Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Well, once again, Kris Radish has told a wonderful tale of women and friendship. I luv her 'voice' and her characters (altho, I will say that "Elegant Gathering" is still my favorite), and I'm certainly going to look for "The Sunday List of Dreams".

Thanks again for sharing this, Bethanie, and I am awaiting an addy from GrannyAnn to move this on its way!

12/15 - Finally (FINALLY!) on its way to GrannyAnn; My many sincere apologies, to BethanieKay and all remaining participants, for holding this up for so long - Happy Holidays & Happy Reading!

 

Journal Entry 15 by GrannyAnn from West Henrietta, New York USA on Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Received today as a day-after-Christmas present! I'm looking forward to getting started on this book.

Thanks for sharing, BethanieKay. 

Journal Entry 16 by GrannyAnn from West Henrietta, New York USA on Tuesday, January 22, 2008

What a fun read! This is the first of Kris Radish's books I've read but it won't be the last. I'd love to participate in a traveling funeral but I want all my friends to stay alive for a long time. LOL!

Thanks, BethanieKay, for offering this as a ring. I really enjoyed it.

Mailed yesterday (1/21/08) to Moody-Blue. 

Journal Entry 17 by Moody-Blue from McDonald, Tennessee USA on Friday, January 25, 2008

Arrived today -- will start right away! (I'm a poet and didn't know it!) ;) 

Journal Entry 18 by Moody-Blue from McDonald, Tennessee USA on Tuesday, January 29, 2008

I'm lucky to have not yet lost anyone really dear to me, so the grieving issues didn't really hit home for me. I'm also quite happy with my life, not feeling trapped in any part of it, so those themes also didn't resonate as much with me as they would with some. I DO have some wonderfully long female friendships and you can't help but imagine a traveling funeral for yourself or one of your friends as you read this book. I doubt that it would go the same way for me, though, because there's almost nothing my friends and family don't know about me. That's what makes them my best friends: the intimacy and the acceptance of all my quirks and flaws. The book DID make me want to spend more time with my gal-pals. How fun would it be to get your best friends, your sister and your mom together for a girls' trip once a year?

ANY-hoo... I thought the book was a lovely idea and contained beautiful prose at times. I can't imagine a woman who wouldn't enjoy reading it or didn't benefit from it in some way. 

Journal Entry 19 by spoiledrotten from Waldwick, New Jersey USA on Monday, February 04, 2008

Received in the mail, along with four other rings, GASP, PLEASE be patient as I will read as fast as I can. Thanks Beth and Moody-Blue. You guys are great! 

Journal Entry 20 by spoiledrotten from Waldwick, New Jersey USA on Saturday, March 22, 2008

Another good read by this author. What a great way to end your time on earth and keep your memory alive. If only we could all do something as fanciful as this. Will mail on to surmise this week. Thanks for being patient and including me in this ring. 

Journal Entry 21 by spoiledrotten from Waldwick, New Jersey USA on Monday, March 24, 2008

This was sent out to surmise this afternoon. Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 22 by surmisez from Worcester, Massachusetts USA on Monday, March 31, 2008

Received in mail today.

I have a couple of books ahead of this one.

Thanks, BethanieKay, for including me in your BookRay! 

Journal Entry 23 by surmisez from Worcester, Massachusetts USA on Thursday, May 08, 2008

I liked the story -- hated how long it took the author to spit it out.

I have passed it on to my chiropractor's assistant. 

Journal Entry 24 by surmisez at Worcester, Massachusetts USA on Thursday, May 08, 2008

Released 4 yrs ago (5/7/2008 UTC) at Worcester, Massachusetts USA

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Gave to a non-BCer and asked that she journal the book once she's read it. 

Journal Entry 25 by AnonymousFinder at -- Parks (state and national), Wyoming USA on Friday, December 10, 2010

Love the concept.....how fun it would be to celebrate life in such a way with women and friends......