Journal Entry 1 by carlissa from Miami, Florida USA on Sunday, August 19, 2007

From the Publisher
New York Times bestselling author John Connolly's unique imagination takes readers through the end of innocence into adulthood and beyond in this dark and triumphantly creative novel of grief and loss, loyalty and love, and the redemptive power of stories.
High in his attic bedroom, twelve-year-old David mourns the death of his mother. He is angry and alone, with only the books on his shelf for company. But those books have begun to whisper to him in the darkness, and as he takes refuge in his imagination, he finds that reality and fantasy have begun to meld. While his family falls apart around him, David is violently propelled into a land that is a strange reflection of his own world, populated by heroes and monsters, and ruled over by a faded king who keeps his secrets in a mysterious book... The Book of Lost Things.
An imaginative tribute to the journey we must all make through the loss of innocence into adulthood, John Connolly's latest novel is a book for every adult who can recall the moment when childhood began to fade, and for every adult about to face that moment. The Book of Lost Things is a story of hope for all who have lost, and for all who have yet to lose. It is an exhilarating tale that reminds us of the enduring power of stories in our lives.
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Unabridged, on 10 CDs, read by Steven Crossley
 

Journal Entry 2 by carlissa from Miami, Florida USA on Saturday, August 25, 2007

I enjoyed listening to this audio book. Its a very odd story with warped fairy tales, but still has a happy ending. 

Journal Entry 3 by carlissa from Miami, Florida USA on Sunday, September 09, 2007

I will be starting a bookring for this book. The usual bookring rules will apply:

1. journal book when you receive it.
2. listen to book within a month.
3. journal again when you finish listening to the book and let us know what you thought of it.
4. mail book to next person (media mail is ok).

List of participants:

1. indygo88 (IN)
2. booklady331 (FL)
3. back to me (carlissa)

1. cestmoi
2. morsecode
3. Smurphie (UK)
4. LeishaCamden (Norway)
5. Shelly-Sparkles (Australia)
6. livrecache (Australia)
7. NMReader (NM)
8. msjoanna (NY)
9. ButtrcupHarmony (NH)
10. imawinn2 (WI)
11. Back to me (carlissa)

Journal Entry 4 by carlissa from Miami, Florida USA on Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Off to indygo88 today! 

Journal Entry 5 by indygo88 from Lafayette, Indiana USA on Tuesday, September 18, 2007

It's here! Outside box is a little smushed, but everything inside is fine & dandy. I've got an audiobook going currently, but this should be next! Thanks, carlissa! 

Journal Entry 6 by indygo88 from Lafayette, Indiana USA on Monday, October 01, 2007

I will agree w/ you, carlissa....a very odd story with warped fairy tales. I wasn't sure what I was in for when I signed up for this book -- anything with the word "book" in the title tends to attract my attention & I thought the summary of the plot sounded very interesting. It wasn't my typical read...rather eerie at times & sort of scary. An interesting idea, though. The Crooked Man creeped me out throughout the whole story, as well as some of those other "tales". Despite the fact that the subject matter was kind of odd, it was a fairly well-written story, I think.

I'm awaiting an address from booklady, then it'll be on its way to her!

10/3/07 -- Shipped off today! Happy travels! :') 

Journal Entry 7 by booklady331 from Cape Coral, Florida USA on Tuesday, October 09, 2007

Perfect timing. I have about 10 to 15 minutes left on the book I am listening too. I will start this one tomorrow. I am currently reading Black Angel (3/4 way through) by the author. That one is a Charlie Parker thriller. I am looking forward to a change of pace. Thank you, Carlissa, for sharing. You are the greatest!!!! I love BCers. 

Journal Entry 8 by booklady331 from Cape Coral, Florida USA on Friday, October 19, 2007

I have to agree with what has been said. The book was different then I was expecting - darker, sadder. There were some good hidden nuggets. The first disc reminded me of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis, but only the 1st disc.

Steven Crossley's voice was warm and precise. Crossley's characterizations provide the believability needed to transport us into this dark fantasy. The Woodsman, whom David meets first, has a voice that's gruff and rough--but, like David, we trust him. Crossley's reading voice changes and makes us fear the evil half-human half-wolf, Leroi Loup. We route for David to learn enough to escape the evil he's somehow helped to create. In a way, this is true for us all.

Though I enjoyed the happy ending in the last few minutes, I hated the fact that David lost everyone he loved. I wish there was more happiness.

I would like to know the meaning that the author wanted to convey. We each read things into it, but I am sure he had specific things.

Thanks, Carlissa, for sharing. It will be off to you tomorrow. 

Journal Entry 9 by booklady331 at U.S. Postal Mail in By Mail, A RABCK -- Controlled Releases on Friday, October 19, 2007

Released 4 yrs ago (10/19/2007 UTC) at U.S. Postal Mail in By Mail, A RABCK -- Controlled Releases

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back to Carlissa 

Journal Entry 10 by carlissa from Miami, Florida USA on Tuesday, October 23, 2007

The Book of Lost Things has made it home! I guess that would make it not lost anymore? Thank you, Booklady331, for all the BC goodies in the package - they will come in handy for my OBCZs! 

Journal Entry 11 by carlissa from Miami, Florida USA on Friday, November 02, 2007

I am sending this audio book on to cestmoi to continue the bookring!

DC# 0306 2400 0000 8624 1503
 

Journal Entry 12 by cestmoi from Hamilton, Ontario Canada on Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Thanks for letting me join the bookring. I'll start it in a day or so and will pass along to morsecode. 

Journal Entry 13 by morsecode from Buffalo, New York USA on Sunday, January 27, 2008

I picked up this book at the meetup today. I completely forgot that it was a book ring. I'll try to get through it quickly. 

Journal Entry 14 by morsecode from Buffalo, New York USA on Thursday, January 31, 2008

I knit my way through this book this week (I stayed home from work with a cold yesterday so I had lots of time for reading).

I had heard good things about this book, but didn't remember much about it. Listening to the book, I thought it was very well done, but it was much darker than I expected. I liked how Connolly incorporated fairy tales into the story and gave them a twist to serve his needs though in most cases they ended up darker and more menacing than even the usual not-so-nice versions of fairy tales (in some ways this book reminded me of Michael Gruber's The Witch's Boy, which I read last year. It is very different, but I loved Gruber's take on the fairy tales).

I though Crossley was a wonderful reader, especially in how he brought the different characters to life through his voice.

I'm PMed the next in line for his/her address and will mail out the book as soon as I receive it. 

Journal Entry 15 by smurphie from Banchory, Scotland United Kingdom on Monday, February 18, 2008

Arrived the other day but forgot to register it. Will get to it very soon just need work to quiet down so can have some time off :o) 

Journal Entry 16 by smurphie at -- By post or by hand/ in person, RABCK , bookring/ray in Banchory, Scotland United Kingdom on Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Released 4 yrs ago (3/13/2008 UTC) at -- By post or by hand/ in person, RABCK , bookring/ray in Banchory, Scotland United Kingdom

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Heading off on the next part of it's travels. 

Journal Entry 17 by smurphie from Banchory, Scotland United Kingdom on Wednesday, March 12, 2008

oooops forgot to make a journal entry before I release it.

Well it was different and not my usual type of reading but interesting none the less. 

Journal Entry 18 by LeishaCamden from Alna bydel, Oslo fylke Norway on Tuesday, March 18, 2008

This arrived in the mail today. Looks intriguing!! I have one other audio bookring ahead of it, but hopefully won't take too long. :-) Thanks for sharing, carlissa! I'll journal again when I've 'read' the book. :-) 

Journal Entry 19 by LeishaCamden from Alna bydel, Oslo fylke Norway on Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Done and done! :-) I've 'read' this book now, April 11th through May 12th. Sorry for taking so long with it! Better late than never, I hope ... :-)

This was a good book, very enjoyable to listen to. Well written and pretty well read. Unlike most of the previous readers I didn't quite fall for Crossley's reading style ... the David voice especially got on my nerves a little sometimes. :-) But he certainly put a lot of effort into the job and I enjoyed listening to it.

It was certainly a book for adult readers, which one might be mistaken about hearing about the many fairy tale elements in the story. But as many others have said, it's very dark. Almost disturbingly so, sometimes ... but I felt that all the elements of the story were very well connected. Connelly's made very good use of the 'familiar effects' that are part of his story – the well known characters and scenes that we all know, albeit in slightly different forms. ;-) He gets some good jokes out of these too on occasion.

The story was quite fascinating and really pulled me along, I was eager to find out what would happen next. Although I also dreaded it sometimes as I knew it couldn’t be anything good ... The setting was well thought out, quite clever, well realized. Perhaps the book's strongest point. Both the setting in 'our world' and in the other place were very good. I would be interested in reading other books by this author, to see what he could do with a totally different setting.

I agree that the ending seemed a little unnecessarily sad. Although maybe that's just because I can't rid myself of the thought that our world is the real world. ;-)

A tip: if you like this book, don’t miss The 10th Kingdom! It's a TV series, lasts about seven hours, easily available on DVD. Many fairy tale elements, and yeah, pretty dark ... :-)

I've PMed Shelly-sparkles for her address, so hopefully I will get the book back on the road again soon. Thanks again for sharing, carlissa!! 

Journal Entry 20 by LeishaCamden at To the next participant in By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Released 4 yrs ago (5/28/2008 UTC) at To the next participant in By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

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This book is finally on its way to shelly-sparkles in Australia. Have fun listening, shelly - I hope you like chocolate! ;-) 

Journal Entry 21 by Shelly-Sparkles on Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Received today from Norway (where my Grandmother was born).
Sent with some chocolate - yummo.

AM really looking forward to this audio book.
Thanks for posting to me.xx 

Journal Entry 22 by Shelly-Sparkles on Sunday, June 08, 2008

I gave this audio until CD 3 to get me enthralled.
CD 3 came and went and I hit eject.
I found the narrator so very tiresome....Ho hum.

Leaving me to quander if this book was read by another would I have enjoyed it more?

Contacting next bookcrosser on the list..... 

Journal Entry 23 by livrecache from Hobart, Tasmania Australia on Friday, July 18, 2008

This audio-book arrived here safely today. (Confession time: I've never 'read' an audio book before, but I look forward to doing so.) I've been wanting to read this book for some time, and thinking about it, audio has to be the best thing! I spend quite a bit of time driving, all my working life scrutinising text - I'm an editor - so, really, why haven't I got into audio books before?

Thanks so much for sharing, and particular thanks to the carlissa for starting the ring and shelly-sparkles for posting it to me. 

Journal Entry 24 by livrecache from Hobart, Tasmania Australia on Wednesday, September 24, 2008

I didn't do enough uninterrupted driving time to listen to this, but I'll read the book when it comes my way.

Now it's crossing the Pacific. 

Journal Entry 25 by livrecache at Port Melbourne, Victoria Australia on Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Released 3 yrs ago (9/24/2008 UTC) at Port Melbourne, Victoria Australia

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Off to the ring's next participant. 

Journal Entry 26 by NMReader from Herndon, Virginia USA on Saturday, October 04, 2008

It is here! YAY!!!

I am looking forward to listening to this book.

Thanks for including me and sending on to me. 

Journal Entry 27 by NMReader from Herndon, Virginia USA on Thursday, November 20, 2008

I enjoyed this book although it wasn't what I was expecting. I think we have all been in situations where we wish we could climb into the world of stories.

I am sorry I had it longer than I was suppose to and thank you for saying yes when I asked.

 

Journal Entry 28 by NMReader at Bookring, Mailed to another bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, November 20, 2008

Released 3 yrs ago (11/19/2008 UTC) at Bookring, Mailed to another bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases

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It is on its way. Delivery Confirmation number is 0307 0020 0005 1102 2847 

Journal Entry 29 by msjoanna from Columbia, Missouri USA on Saturday, November 22, 2008

This has arrived -- and perfect timing too as I'd planned to be around the house most of the day today, so I've already started listening. Thanks for sharing. 

Journal Entry 30 by msjoanna from Columbia, Missouri USA on Monday, December 15, 2008

I enjoyed the narrator for this book and listened to much of the book over one weekend. The book captured me and I found myself completely engrossed in the world and the dark versions of the fairy tales. The book is of the genre of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe -- slip through a crack in this world and find yourself in a different world. I thought the wrap up/epilogue was too long and unecessary, but overall thought the structure worked.

This will go in the mail this week. (mailed Dec. 16, 2008) 

Journal Entry 31 by ButtrcupHarmony from Nashua, New Hampshire USA on Friday, December 19, 2008

arrived today! I am in the middle of another audiobook, but hopefully will begin this one by Monday. 

Journal Entry 32 by ButtrcupHarmony at a friend, A friend -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, January 17, 2009

Released 3 yrs ago (1/17/2009 UTC) at a friend, A friend -- Controlled Releases

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I enjoyed this book. Like, a lot. I listened to it mostly while I was in bed, trying to fall asleep, and I thought it was a really good book. Sent on it's way to the next person in line today!

USPS Delivery Confirmation: 0308 1400 0000 7951 1362 

Journal Entry 33 by imawinn2 from Neenah, Wisconsin USA on Saturday, January 24, 2009

I found The Book of Lost Things in my mailbox today. Poor thing was freezing as it is below zero in this neck of the woods today. I'm just about done with my present audio book and then I will get right to this one. Thanks ButtercupHarmony for sending this my way and thanks to carlissa for sharing. 

Journal Entry 34 by imawinn2 from Neenah, Wisconsin USA on Thursday, February 05, 2009

I totally enjoyed this audio. It was darkly entertaining and the narrator did a wonderful job with voices. I couldn't help having a vision of Hagrid (of Harry Potter fame) as the woodsman. Then, in the midst of Connolly's dangerous fairy tale, was the bit of humor in the form of the 7 dwarfs. I found myself actually laughing out loud. I don't know if it was just my frame of mind that day, but they totally reminded me of a mini-sized version of the Monty Python troupe with Eric Idle as "Commrade #1". I really love how Connolly put his special twist to all the "grim" fairy tales and tied it all up in the end. Oh! and remind me to stay away from crooked ol' men -- that gentleman was a nasty piece of business.

Thanks carlissa for sharing a great story!! I am now sending it back to you.

The End! 

Journal Entry 35 by imawinn2 at Neenah, Wisconsin USA on Thursday, February 05, 2009

Released 3 yrs ago (2/5/2009 UTC) at Neenah, Wisconsin USA

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Sending this back to its originator, carlissa. It is leaving the frozen tundra of Wisconsin to return to the warmth of Florida. Wish I were joining it. ;-) 

Journal Entry 36 by carlissa from Miami, Florida USA on Saturday, February 14, 2009

This book has made it home for the second time! I hope everyone enjoyed listening to this wonderfully odd story! I have given it to my daughter to listen to. 

Journal Entry 37 by carlissa from Miami, Florida USA on Wednesday, August 19, 2009

My daughter got 2 of the disks stuck in my parents cd player while she was staying in their cabin in the mountains of NC. After several weeks of trying to get the disks out, I finally managed to get them unstuck! Hopefully, the disks are undamaged (I haven't tried listening to them yet). Anyway, this audiobook is now available for trade or release. 

Journal Entry 38 by carlissa from Miami, Florida USA on Monday, August 31, 2009

putting in round 5 of my CD audio bookbox. 

Journal Entry 39 by k00kaburra from San Jose, California USA on Monday, September 14, 2009

Wow, this is one well-traveled set of CDs. I look forward to listening to it :D 

Journal Entry 40 by k00kaburra from San Jose, California USA on Thursday, October 29, 2009

Started listening to this one today. 

Journal Entry 41 by k00kaburra from San Jose, California USA on Friday, November 06, 2009

Finished this book today. Looks like your daughter may have nicked the last disk, Carlissa, since it did skip at one point, but it was only once and barely affected the overall experience. In fact, considering how many people have already listened to these CDs, I'm quite surprised there wasn't more damage to the CDs!

This is like a marriage of the Narnia series and all the old fairy tales, with their gruesome details added back into each story. The characters were quite good, a mix of good and bad traits that really humanized them - especially the main character, David. He's a twelve year old going through a hard time, but basically good deep down. I liked that he wasn't created as a saintly innocent or a bitter, whining brat.

The villain was good. The Crooked Man manages to unify elements from several different fairy tale bad guys - Rumpelstiltskin coming foremost to mind, and I believe that story was even referenced at one point in connection to him - and really helped infuse the story with creepiness.

Anyway, I'm a sucker for fairy tales, so if there's a story that updates or fuses them in new ways I'm all over it like white on rice :-p

Great narrator. Steven Crossley has one of those voices that makes me think "I've heard this guy before" but of course, I have no idea where I would have heard him. 

Journal Entry 42 by k00kaburra at BookCrosser, RABCK -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, November 19, 2009

Released 2 yrs ago (11/19/2009 UTC) at BookCrosser, RABCK -- Controlled Releases

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sending to dg7500 as a little Holiday 2009 surprise :D It's on her wishlist! 

Journal Entry 43 by dg7500 from Lancaster, Pennsylvania USA on Friday, November 27, 2009

An wonderful 'Black Friday' surprise! Thank you so much for thinking of me during this holiday season, k00kaburra!! I look forward to reading (listening) to it very soon.

OT: What an amazing travel history this audio-book has!! I'll be sure to keep it travelling again once I've had a chance to listen to it.