Journal Entry 1 by CBCD from Shepherdstown, West Virginia USA on Sunday, March 30, 2003

My mother gave this book to me to read, along with the 2nd in the series. I think I'll read them, and pour them into a bookray. 

Journal Entry 2 by CBCD from Shepherdstown, West Virginia USA on Friday, April 18, 2003

April 18, 2003

Here is the list of the participants in the Griffin & Sabine Bookray. Please cross off your name & send the 2 books onward to the next reader. Send a PM to the next reader on the list to get his or her address. I have enclosed $10 for branna to cover international media mail to send these books to Ireland for BCer Hero. I’m sorry I don’t have the 3rd book – the first two are highly enjoyable!

Larue – New York, US
Keeprdg – Duluth, Georgia
Jenny-lou-who – Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Evicka – Toronto, Canada
Branna – Calgary, Canada
Hero – Ireland

February 27, 2004
Through Hero's heroic efforts, this ray will be continued.
Silentmiaouw - Switzerland
Enitsirhc72 - Germany
Georg-und-co - Germany
Rohrspatz Duisburg, Germany
Coco7 Sprendlingen, Germany
Fsr44 - Rhode Island, US
Ilios - Florida, US - US only shipping
 

Journal Entry 3 by LaRue from Medford, New York USA on Thursday, April 24, 2003

Just received today, thanks! I will read them this weekend, post another entry and then send them on to Keeprdg. 

Journal Entry 4 by LaRue from Medford, New York USA on Saturday, April 26, 2003

Incredible book - an unusual, creative epistolary love story between a London card designer and a South Sea Islands stamp designer....or is it? Nick Bantock has written the book as if you are actually reading the letters and cards sent between Griffin and Sabine, complete with canceled stamps, envelopes containing handwritten letters, etc. With a wonderful surprise ending. 

Journal Entry 5 by LaRue at Private release to another BX'er in Bellport, New York USA on Monday, April 28, 2003

Released on Monday, April 28, 2003 at Private release to another BX'er in Bellport, New York USA.

Sending by media rate to Keeprdg 

Journal Entry 6 by keeprdg from Duluth, Georgia USA on Saturday, May 03, 2003

I received the two books in the mail today. Just flipping through them, they look fascinating. I can't wait to read and explore. Thank you, CBCD! 

Journal Entry 7 by keeprdg from Duluth, Georgia USA on Sunday, May 04, 2003

This was so interesting. I loved the format, with the postcards and the letters in envelopes. The ending was definitely a surprise. 

Journal Entry 8 by keeprdg from Duluth, Georgia USA on Saturday, May 10, 2003

Mailed today to jenny-lou-who. Enjoy the books! 

Journal Entry 9 by jenny-lou-who from St. Catharines, Ontario Canada on Friday, May 23, 2003

This book just arrived in the mail today (along with its companion) - I'm really looking forward to reading it. 

Journal Entry 10 by jenny-lou-who from St. Catharines, Ontario Canada on Friday, June 06, 2003

What an extraordinary little book! I love the format...something about taking the letters out of the envelope made me feel so immersed in this story. Fascinating! I'm off to read the second one now... 

Journal Entry 11 by Evicka from Toronto, Ontario Canada on Wednesday, July 02, 2003

I received these in the mail from Jenny-lou-who-- thanks! I've been away for the last 2 weeks which explains why I didn't log these sooner...

I will read asap and pass on... 

Journal Entry 12 by Evicka from Toronto, Ontario Canada on Friday, July 11, 2003

I loved this book. The format of having the letters tucked into the envelopes is so intimate. The ending is very intriguing... I look forward to reading on and finding out what's real and what isn't.

I'm mailing this book and it's partner on to Branna in Calgary. 

Journal Entry 13 by Branna from Calgary, Alberta Canada on Friday, August 01, 2003

I got this book in the mail this week! I'm looking forward to reading it.  

Journal Entry 14 by Branna from Calgary, Alberta Canada on Sunday, September 28, 2003

Wow! I finished this in just a few hours. I loved it. I actually bought myself a copy at a used bookstore, because I know I'll want to read this over and over and over again.

The book is in a peculiar format, written as letters between a card artist in London and a stamp designer in the South Seas. Some are on postcards, other on pages that you actually remove from the envelopes to read. It's an experience, not just a really good read.  

Journal Entry 15 by Branna from Calgary, Alberta Canada on Saturday, January 03, 2004

An excellent book! I apologize for my lateness in sending this on - stress and my own stupidity in misplacing this (and other) books has caused me to fall behind far more than I'd hoped. It's in the mail! 

Journal Entry 16 by Hero from Dublin, Co. Dublin Ireland on Tuesday, February 24, 2004

Arrived in the mail today. Thank you so much to Branna and CBCD for the loan of this book! 

Journal Entry 17 by Hero from Dublin, Co. Dublin Ireland on Friday, February 27, 2004

I'd been curious to read these for *ages*, which is perhaps not the best way to come at books - expectations too high. I did love the format, and thought they were very original.

I felt a bit manipulated at the ending though - fine to do a cliff-hanger on a tv series, but not so great to have no sense of closure to a book, I think. Or maybe I'm being a bit over-critical because of the difficulty of getting these books over here. I know there's no way I'd be able to pop into a library and just find out what happens after the second book!

I really appreciated the chance to read these and to pass them on to other BXers who also wouldn't find them easy to get locally. Thanks again to CBCD!

I'll be posting to silentmiaouw, who'll in turn pass them on to enitsirhc72 and then to Georg-und-co. for this leg of the European trek at the moment. In case anyone was wondering, the Irish stamp in Sabine's Notebook was a real one! 

Journal Entry 18 by over-the-moon from Saint-Légier-La Chiésaz, Vaud Switzerland on Thursday, March 11, 2004

Received by post from Hero (and thanks for the postcard which arrived Saturday - I love those Dublin doors). Have been dying to get my fingers into those little envelopes for ages. Now I just need a quiet moment to curl up and enjoy it all. 

Journal Entry 19 by over-the-moon from Saint-Légier-La Chiésaz, Vaud Switzerland on Saturday, March 13, 2004

Journal Entry 20 by over-the-moon at sent to bookcrosser in Mailed, Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, March 16, 2004

Released on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 at sent to bookcrosser in Mailed, Bookring Controlled Releases.

sent with the second volume in the series. 

Journal Entry 21 by enitsirhc72 from Bickenbach, Hessen Germany on Monday, March 22, 2004

I received the two books in the mail today. Thank you CBCD and thank you Silentmiaouw.


update 24.03.04
I loved the format, how beautiful all those postcards and letters were, that all the letters by Sabine were handwritten and I really liked all those imaginative stamps. The story was also very nice (though I didn't really like the end), but the main thing for me was the design.

I will send the books to Georg-und-co. 

Journal Entry 22 by Georg-und-Co from Griesheim, Hessen Germany on Wednesday, March 24, 2004

picked up the books from enitsirhc72 this evening

They look wonderful!

----------------------------------
19.4.04
Before the books go back to the US more europeans had the opportunity to read them.

Extended european branch:
- Rohrspatz (Duisburg, Germany)
- coco7 (Sprendlingen, Germany)

and then back to the US:
- Fsr44 - Rhode Island, US
- Ilios - Florida, US - US only shipping 

Journal Entry 23 by Georg-und-Co at on Monday, April 19, 2004

Released on Monday, April 19, 2004 at Postamt in Griesheim, Sent to another BookCrosser Controlled Releases.

Both books go to Rohrspatz. Please see the new readers list in the journal above.
I enclosed 2 stamps for coco7 for the international shipping. You will find them in the last envelope of the 2nd volume. 

Journal Entry 24 by Rohrspatz from Duisburg, Nordrhein-Westfalen Germany on Saturday, April 24, 2004

I received both books two days ago and read them both the same day. They are just wonderful! I had to show them to everyone around, my mother, my sister, my boyfriend... It was a great pleasure to read and discover both of them. Thank you so much for sharing CBCD!
I plan to send them on to coco7 on monday (just PMed for address). 

Journal Entry 25 by CBCD from Shepherdstown, West Virginia USA on Saturday, April 24, 2004

I'm glad so many people have enjoyed the Griffin & Sabine books - keep 'em going! 

Journal Entry 26 by Rohrspatz at sent to fellow BookCrosser in Duisburg, Germany -- Controlled Releases on Monday, April 26, 2004

Journal Entry 27 by coco7 from Sprendlingen, Rheinland-Pfalz Germany on Thursday, April 29, 2004

The two books arrived today, just right in time for the weekend - or probably for tonight - I'm curious! 

Journal Entry 28 by coco7 from Sprendlingen, Rheinland-Pfalz Germany on Monday, May 10, 2004

Strange story, strange art - but a wonderful idea to make a book!

I'll send them to fsr44 tomorrow.

Georg-und-Co: thank you for the stamps! 

Journal Entry 29 by fsr44 from Pawtucket, Rhode Island USA on Sunday, May 16, 2004

I've always been curious about this book...I'm happy to have the chance to read it. I'll start it this week and then speed it on its way. Thank you. 

Journal Entry 30 by fsr44 from Pawtucket, Rhode Island USA on Saturday, May 22, 2004

I give it a 10 for the original concept and the artwork and a 3 for story.
The publishing industry has changed so much since this book was released that I wonder if such an innovative approach would be published today.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this. 

Journal Entry 31 by fsr44 at Bookray in n/a, Bookray -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, May 23, 2004

Released on Sunday, May 23, 2004 at Bookray in n/a, Bookray Controlled Releases.

Sending to Ilios. 

Journal Entry 32 by Ilios from Tampa, Florida USA on Monday, May 31, 2004

I received the 2 books yesterday but didn't have a chance to journal them. I started the first one this morning and I am really glad I signed up for this ray. I remember being in Brazil (where I used to live) and wishing I had enough money to buy those books (printed material is very expensive over there). Now, thanks to CBCD and all those fine bookcrossers, I have a chance to enjoy these little treasures! I will update this journal entry as soon as I am done.

6/27/04
I loved this book. It is really a piece of art. The story is captivating, but the actual book is beautiful. I love to be able to actually read the letters and hold them in my hands, as if I were part of the story. I will put this as available, and maybe organize a book ring. Thanks again for sharing! 

Journal Entry 33 by Ilios from Tampa, Florida USA on Monday, July 05, 2004

Journal Entry 34 by Ilios from Tampa, Florida USA on Tuesday, July 13, 2004

I am trying to organize a ring for these books. Here's the final list

lilmisstypo, CA (ships in the US)
fanclub, Hawaii (ships in the US and Canada)
Lpree, Maryland (ship int'l)
gerenggat, UK (ships within Europe)
KatColorado, Zürich, Switzerland (ships int'l)
Sprockitt, Singapore (ships int'l)
Jubby, Australia (ships int'l)
chivers, Brazil (ships int'l)
...
Back to me! Ilios, Tampa, FL

 

Journal Entry 35 by Ilios at post office in snail mailed to a fellow bookcrosser as part of a bookring, Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, August 19, 2004

Released on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 at post office in snail mailed to a fellow bookcrosser as part of a bookring, Bookring Controlled Releases.

Sent to lilmisstypo, the first person on the ring. Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 36 by lilmisstypo from Weaverville, California USA on Thursday, August 26, 2004

OH how impossibly cute. i would have never thoughtof this ... it is such a fantastic way to read a book.... i cant wait to read the next one 

Journal Entry 37 by lilmisstypo from Weaverville, California USA on Wednesday, September 22, 2004

OFF to Fanclub in hawaii .... hope it isnt a long trip 

Journal Entry 38 by fanclub from Baltimore, Maryland USA on Thursday, October 21, 2004

Journal Entry 39 by fanclub from Baltimore, Maryland USA on Friday, October 22, 2004

Astoundingly wonderful, incredibly enjoyable. I delighted in reading through this, examining the pictures and little drawings. What a great new reading experience!

*10/23/04 - Mailing to Lpree. 

Journal Entry 40 by Lpree from Omaha, Nebraska USA on Thursday, November 18, 2004

This arrived in today's mail. I have some other bookrings ahead of it but will read as quickly as I can. Please check my profile to see where I am in my reading list as well as an expected finish date for this book.
 

Journal Entry 41 by Lpree from Omaha, Nebraska USA on Thursday, November 25, 2004

Oh wow, I picked up this book to start reading it this morning and finished all three books this morning! Wow, I think i'm going to have to pick up a copy of these books for my personal collection. Amazing. I loved the idea of reading someone else's mail... I was really drawn into the story and had to keep reading the other books to find out how it all comes out. What a creative idea for a book!

I'll PM the next person in line and hope to mail it out on Monday.

UPDATE 11/30 - All three books were sent surface mail to gerenggat today. 

Journal Entry 42 by Ilios from Tampa, Florida USA on Tuesday, May 10, 2005

This book appears to be lost in the mail. I do hope it'll show up eventually. It is really beautiful. 

Journal Entry 43 by lostbookisland on Monday, September 12, 2005