Journal Entry 1 by carlissa from Miami, Florida USA on Wednesday, April 18, 2007

The Barnes & Noble Review

The eighth installment of Alexander McCall Smith's beloved No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency saga is marked with existential upheaval: Automobile repair shop owner Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni -- husband of Botswana's leading, and only, female private detective, Precious Ramotswe -- unexpectedly approaches his wife with the ill-conceived idea of becoming a part-time investigator; one of Matekoni's bumbling apprentices quits; and Ramotswe's longtime assistant, Grace Makutsi, suddenly resigns.

Struggling to come to grips with Makutsi's abrupt resignation, "traditionally built" detective Ramotswe has her hands full with a trio of cases involving unexplained deaths at a nearby hospital, an allegedly cheating husband, and thievery at a print shop. But the exceedingly wise owner of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency confronts all these situations with compassion, discretion, and her trademark wry Botswanan sense of humor.

Part of the widespread appeal of this series lies in the tidbits of quiet wisdom sprinkled throughout each delightfully meandering narrative. The Good Husband of Zebra Drive, for example, explores the importance of not only trust and mercy but also tolerance. Ramotswe's musings are as insightful as they are understated: "It's interesting how we can look at things and think we see something, when it really isn't there at all." Entertaining and enlightening, Smith's beloved No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency saga is simply precious. Paul Goat Allen
 

Journal Entry 2 by carlissa from Miami, Florida USA on Thursday, April 19, 2007

I will be starting a bookring with this book. Usual bookring rules apply:

• Journal when you receive the book.
• Try to read within 1 month.
• Journal again with your thoughts on the book.
• Mail to next person on list (media mail is ok).

1. carlissa (FL)
2. dnsvm (CO)
3. zosime (WI)
4. catpersonn (WA)
5. rootmartin (MA)
6. jaxreader (FL) (skipped)
7. Caridad (FL)
8. back to me (carlissa) (FL) <-- book has made it home!

Journal Entry 3 by carlissa from Miami, Florida USA on Monday, April 23, 2007

I have really enjoyed this series, and this book continues to entertain.

I will be mailing this book to dnsvm tomorrow. 

Journal Entry 4 by dnsvm from Longmont, Colorado USA on Wednesday, May 02, 2007

I just received this and am looking forward to reading it. I will put it on the top of the TBR pile and will start it after my current read! 

Journal Entry 5 by dnsvm from Longmont, Colorado USA on Wednesday, June 13, 2007

This is probably one of my favorites in the series. It was a quick read and I like the little "mysteries" that the ladies were solving. I already have zosime's address and so I will have it in the mail tomorrow! 

Journal Entry 6 by zosime from Marshfield, Wisconsin USA on Friday, June 22, 2007

This arrived safely a few days ago. I have one and a half bookring reads ahead of it, but I should be able to get to it soon. Thank you! I can't wait to spend some time with these wonderful characters again. 

Journal Entry 7 by zosime from Marshfield, Wisconsin USA on Thursday, August 09, 2007

Thank you so much for including me in this bookring! Eight books in and this series is still delightful. I just can''t help but love these characters. I''ll pass this along as soon as I can. 

Journal Entry 8 by zosime from Marshfield, Wisconsin USA on Tuesday, August 14, 2007

This book was mailed today to Catpersonn. Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 9 by catpersonn from Ronald, Washington USA on Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Received in the mail today. Looking forward to reading it as soon as I finish the Lee Child book I'm now reading. 

Journal Entry 10 by catpersonn from Ronald, Washington USA on Friday, August 24, 2007

What a delightful book. Love this series. Will e-mail next on the list for addy to send it on.
catperssonn 

Journal Entry 11 by catpersonn from Ronald, Washington USA on Saturday, August 25, 2007

I have emailed twice but have had no response. Will wait a few more days, then contact the next person on the list. 

Journal Entry 12 by catpersonn from Ronald, Washington USA on Sunday, August 26, 2007

Mailing this tomorrow to rootmartin in Massachusetts. 

Journal Entry 13 by rootmartin from Marlborough, Massachusetts USA on Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Received in the mail today! What a relief as I was beginning to think that it might have gotten lost.

I'm really looking forward to reading this. It's next in my TBR! 

Journal Entry 14 by rootmartin from Marlborough, Massachusetts USA on Sunday, October 14, 2007

I thoroughly enjoyed this book as I have all of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency books. I mailed this book to caridad on Wednesday. Thanks so much for sharing this book in a bookring! 

Journal Entry 15 by Caridad from Miami Lakes, Florida USA on Monday, October 15, 2007

Received in the mail. Thanks for sending, rootmartin! 

Journal Entry 16 by Caridad from Miami Lakes, Florida USA on Monday, October 29, 2007

I must be living in a cave, because I have never read any of the books in this series, much less the author's other books. Absolutely loved it! I will be searching for his previous books in between trying to reduce MTTBR (like that would ever happen). Will PM carlissa (Thank you so much for sharing) to return the book back to her. 

Journal Entry 17 by Caridad from Miami Lakes, Florida USA on Thursday, November 01, 2007

Sent back to the originator of the ring, carlissa. Thanks again! 

Journal Entry 18 by carlissa from Miami, Florida USA on Wednesday, November 14, 2007

This book has made it home! I will give it to my daughter for her bookshelf - maybe one day she will actually get around to reading this series! 

Journal Entry 19 by pkboo from Miami, Florida USA on Wednesday, November 14, 2007

got from my mom. adding to mt.tbr