Journal Entry 1 by efs300 from Bedford, New Hampshire USA on Sunday, July 15, 2007

From the Publisher
Jodi Picoult earned rave notices for her debut novel, Songs of the Humpback Whale. Now this gifted young writer turns her considerable literary talents to the story of a young woman overcome by the demands of having a family. Written with astonishing clarity and evocative detail, convincing in its depiction of emotional pain, love, and vulnerability, Harvesting the Heart recalls the writing of Alice Hoffman and Sue Miller. Paige has only a few vivid memories of her mother, who left when she was five. Now, having left her father behind in Chicago for dreams of art school and marriage to an ambitious young doctor, she finds herself with a child of her own. But her mother's absence, and shameful memories of her past, make her doubt both her maternal ability and her sense of self worth. Out of Paige's struggle to find wholeness, Jodi Picoult crafts an absorbing novel peopled by richly drawn characters and explores issues and emotions readers can relate to.  

Journal Entry 2 by efs300 from Bedford, New Hampshire USA on Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Will be offering as a US/Canada Only bookring, will list participants here. Trade Paperback Edition, Forum post announcing bookring.
Please sign the 'bookring travels' label on the inside front cover!
Participants:

1. countedx58 (Livermore, California - Ship US Only)
   
2. lisabb2 (Grimes, Iowa - Ship US Only)
   
3. guinaveve (Mason, Ohio - Ship US Only)
   
4. WhitePine (Coventry, Connecticut - Ship anywhere)
   
5. summerbreeze (Surrey, British Columbia Canada)<----- Being Read By
   
6. boomda181 (GTA, Ontario Canada - Prefer shipping to US)
   
7. Aberpeter (Kirkland, Washington - US Shipping)
   
8. nicole4 (Chicago, Illinois - US Shipping)
   
9. vzfamily (Willard, Ohio - Ship US Only)
   
10. dabercro (Clinton, Utah)
    
11. efs300 (Back to Bedford, NH - So I can read it)

Journal Entry 3 by countedx58 from San Francisco, California USA on Monday, October 08, 2007

Received in today's mail as the beginning of a bookring. I'm 30 pages into it so far. Thanks, efs300! :) 

Journal Entry 4 by countedx58 at Controlled Release in Controlled Release, --by post or by hand (ie ring, ray, RABCK, trade) -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, October 11, 2007

Released 4 yrs ago (10/11/2007 UTC) at Controlled Release in Controlled Release, --by post or by hand (ie ring, ray, RABCK, trade) -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

Mailing to lisabb2 today.

Thanks for sharing this, EFS300! :) 

Journal Entry 5 by countedx58 from San Francisco, California USA on Thursday, October 11, 2007

One of Picoult's earlier novels, I presume she must have written this before she started specializing in heavy social questions (euthanasia, having children to provide genetic material for an ill elder sibling, etc.) -- a good story, but not quite what I expected. Still, I couldn't put it down -- I ripped through it in only a couple of days! 

Journal Entry 6 by lisabb2 from Grimes, Iowa USA on Monday, October 15, 2007

Got in the mail today...will read shortly!!! 

Journal Entry 7 by lisabb2 from Grimes, Iowa USA on Tuesday, November 13, 2007

What a great story!!! I've enjoyed all the Jodi Picoult books I've read so far!! I really liked Paige and even Nicholas and enjoyed seeing Nicholas evolve into a good father figure after Paige left. Of course the ending left you wondering what really happens for sure.

This will be on it's way to guinaveve shortly. Thanks for sharing!!! 

Journal Entry 8 by guinaveve from Mason, Ohio USA on Monday, November 26, 2007

This came in the mail today. I was glad to see it as I was ready to start another book having finished my latest read last night. I have already PMed the next participant in this ring, so I should have their address by the time I am finished with the book. Thank you for sharing it. 

Journal Entry 9 by guinaveve from Mason, Ohio USA on Thursday, November 29, 2007

I really enjoyed this book. I have read a lot of Picoult lately and it was getting to be too much. The twist and turns were stunning at first, then became predictable because they were supposed to be so stunning. The Picoult I have read has been her more recent stuff and Harvesting the Heart was from several years ago and had a different feel to it. It was a refreshing difference from the other novels of hers that I have read, although I have enjoyed them all.

Spoiler follows in the review
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

I really liked Paige. I could understand and sympathized with her feelings though I couldn't see leaving her baby the way she did. I liked her character, the way she reacted to events, the emotions she showed and felt. Nicholas on the other hand, I just couldn't make myself like. I kept waiting for something from him- an acknowledgment to Paige, or just to himself, about how much Paige had done for him and Max, about how difficult things were for her, some understanding. I never felt like he did any of that. I ended the story feeling like they were going to work things out and pleased for them, but still not liking Nicholas. I think I could have though had he showed even a flicker of understanding for what Paige had done and been through.
It was a great book, thought provoking in a way her other books have been, but without the shocking social situations that has become Picoult's signature. 

Journal Entry 10 by guinaveve at by postal services in Sent by mail, a fellow bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, November 29, 2007

Released 4 yrs ago (11/30/2007 UTC) at by postal services in Sent by mail, a fellow bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

Journal Entry 11 by WhitePine from Coventry, Connecticut USA on Friday, December 14, 2007

Just started reading this . 

Journal Entry 12 by bc-del-20080226 on Sunday, January 20, 2008

YAY!!! I just got this in the mail today..well, yesterday, but I was at work until midnight so I theoretically got it today, technically yesterday..ok, so on with the rest of the story; I am finishing my high school course this week, and then I have to finish a ring ahead of this one...so in about 2 weeks I will get to this one. But don't worry I read fast.