As I'm writing this, I'm still trying to recover from saturday's desastrous 2-4 home defeat, which makes relegation look almost inevitable. I can only manage a bitter smile at Hornby's hero's self-pity when he thinks of the dreadful seven-year stretch in which Arsenal haven't won anything. Now my team never ever won anything worth counting in 102 years! No national championships won, no qualifications for international tournaments, no cup finals. The best we ever made was a semi-final last year in which we were kicked out by the same Frankfurt side that beat us this weekend. All Arminia Bielefeld can pride themselves with is the record number of seven promotions to first division Bundesliga (which of course means that there's a corresponding number of relegations going along with it...). But still, the magic fever (or call it madness) is there all the same. However, I find it a bit of comforting to read that others are even worse affected than I am. Brilliantly written book, a must-read for any football fan (and for all those desperately trying but hitherto shamefully failing to understand the kind of us! ;-))

As it's Nick Horby's 50th birthday today, I'm giving this away as a bookray. Join and enjoy!

Note for participants: Everybody please make two journal entries for the book: One on receiving it, and another one when sending it on.

List of participants so far (those who've journalled already are highlighted in red):

Wasserfall (Germany)
livrecache (Australia)
and into the wild.

(Edit: As it happens, this is changed into a mini-ray. It will go to final destination Australia and then be bookcrossed any way livrecache chooses)

The book arrived today - and it'll definitely sweeten the end of the Bundesliga season! Thank you for the ray.

The book arrived today - and it'll definitely sweeten the end of the Bundesliga season! Thank you for the ray.

The book arrived today - and it'll definitely sweeten the end of the Bundesliga season! Thank you for the ray.

06/27: Have I been crazy or drunk? 3 times the same post... I really enjoyed the book. Thank you for the ray. And now it's on it's way to Australia.

Thank you so much, Wasserfall, for this book. What an unexpected pleasure on a bleak and blustery day in Melbourne. I have always liked Nick Hornby's writing, and although I can't say I'm a huge fan of football, I've always wanted to read this book. And my husband certainly will, as he is a devotee of both football and Hornby.

Once we've both read it, I'll offer it to other bookcrossers so that it can continue its journey around the world. Once again, thank you.

Although I love Nick Hornby's writing style, this book's content just didn't arouse my interest.

Offered to the Oz VBB, and claimed by a bookcrosser in Western Australia, and so will continue its journeying. Will be sent off as soon as possible. (I'm out of bags!)

RELEASE NOTES:

On its way, having been chosen in the Oz VBB Round 8.

Selected from Oz VBB and received in the mail today.

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

Sending to freepages for release.