Journal Entry 1 by ladybug74 from Dothan, Alabama USA on Wednesday, May 28, 2008

You have found a bookcrossing book! I hope that you enjoy reading this book, then pass it along to a friend, neighbor, family member, co-worker, or simply leave it somewhere for another lucky reader to find as you did! If this book isn’t the type that you like to read, please be kind enough to help it on its journey.

Please take a moment to leave a journal entry to let me know where you found this book. You may remain anonymous if you wish. After you read the book, please come back and let me know what you thought about it and what you will do with the book when you finish with it. You may come back any time to read where this book has traveled and what others thought about it. Thank you for letting me know where this book has traveled! 

Journal Entry 2 by ladybug74 from Dothan, Alabama USA on Wednesday, May 28, 2008

I am currently reading this book and would like to start a bookray with it when I'm done. Please send a PM to join. This is now an international bookray!

Mailing order (subject to change):
ladybug74, AL
guinaveve, OH
blackadder75, PA
300dogs, NJ
dvg, NJ
Tfunk2o05, NY
lynlee4, FL
4-lele, IL
nynjagrrrl, WI
Bug2004, NE
sarahjanemc, OR <<<---------book went missing here


olered, OR
judygreeneyes, CA
countedx58, CA
snoopy3, CT (will ship international)
daniellechonody, TX (will ship international)
collectorkerri, IL (ship to US/Canada)
Breeze144, Canada (ship to US/Canada)
kobie03, Canada (ship international)
penelopewanders, Switzerland (ship within Europe)
BOOKWORMY, Portugal (ship anywhere)
turnpages, UK (ship within UK/Europe)
Kera, UK (within UK)
calalilly, UK (within UK)
orange-platypus, UK (UK only)
Scarlett17, UK (ship within Europe)
spiderchic, UK (ship anywhere)
kihli, Greece (ship anywhere)
hetku77, Finland (ship anywhere)
Bjorg, Iceland (ship anywhere)
MooMoo1977, Australia (within Australia)
Davis59, Australia

Here are the rules for this bookray:
1. Please journal as soon as you receive the book and again after you read it and mail it to the next person. This will help everyone else keep up with the book's current location.
2. Put the book at the top of your TBR pile (after the book that you are currently reading and any other rings/rays that arrived before this one.)
3. If you don't think you will be able to read this book within a reasonable time after receiving it, please let me know before the book is mailed to you. I will be happy to move your name down on the list if needed.
4. After you read the book, please PM the next person on the list for their address. If you already have the next person's address or get it from RABCK.com, you may want to PM them just to ensure that the address has not changed.
5. Mail the book to the next person on the list using the cheapest shipping method available.
6. PM me if you have any problems with contacting the next person so I can help with trying to contact her/him.
7. The last person to receive the book may pass it on to another member or wild release the book.
8. I reserve the right to change the mailing order of the book as needed.
9. If you see any known stallers on the list to read this book, please send a PM to let me know. I understand that life events happen that delay us sometimes, but please be reasonable! 

Journal Entry 3 by ladybug74 from Dothan, Alabama USA on Thursday, May 29, 2008

This is my least favorite of Jodi Picoult's books so far. All the talk by the husband about the humpback whales was kind of dry and boring to me. Not only is this story told from the point of view of 5 different characters, but it also switches back and forth in time so much that I was confused part of the time. There is a heading to tell the reader who is speaking before each chapter and there are dates at the beginning when it switches around in time. I just didn't enjoy this one as well as her other books. 

Journal Entry 4 by ladybug74 at bookray in bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Friday, May 30, 2008

Released 3 yrs ago (5/30/2008 UTC) at bookray in bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

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Mailed to guinaveve to start the bookray! I hope you enjoy it! 

Journal Entry 5 by guinaveve from Mason, Ohio USA on Wednesday, June 04, 2008

This bookray looks like it has a lot of traveling to do. I am going to go ahead and PM the next participant to get the address now. I will start this after my current read. I look forward to following the book's travels once I am finished with it.
I have enjoyed many books by Picoult and hope this one is just as good. 

Journal Entry 6 by guinaveve from Mason, Ohio USA on Thursday, June 12, 2008

This one didn't do it for me. There was nothing there of interest. The story jumps around from perspectives. One perspective starts at the end of the story and goes backwards while the rest start at the beginning and go forward. The end was revealed at the beginning. Sometimes this can be exciting leaving the reader to wonder how the story got to the that point, but this wasn't written that way. There was nothing to be intrigued by, no suspense, and no revelation. To top it all off, new perspectives of the same events really didn't reveal any more of the story, it was just a retelling in a different voice. Hearing one character retell an event was boring since it lent nothing new to the event.
I don't know if this would have been a good story told in a different format. Everything seemed thrown together. Sam's feelings of inferiority from childhood, Rebecca's youthful plane crash, Jane's abuse at the hands of her father, Jane's brother's deep affection for her- all these plot elements are there. I kept waiting for more to be made of each of them, for each element to develop into something more and it never did. The only thing well developed was the husband's interest in whales and the disinterest he had for his family.
I also noted that assessments of characters are made and then shown inaccurate. Jane is held up as more of a friend to Rebecca than a mother, but there is no indication that she is any different from a typical mother watching out for her kid and making a few mistakes along the way like anyone else. At one point, Jane and Sam have breakfast together and she has coffee and when he offers her a drink a day or so later, he doesn't know if she likes coffee. These and other inconsistencies were throughout the book.
I hate to give such a bad review. It wasn't terrible. I wasn't wanting to just put it down and move on to another book. It wasn't good either though.
One more thing. I noticed several editorial mistakes, usually a letter left out at the beginning of a word or a missing quotation mark. I am not one to get hung up on that sort of thing, but I wonder if readers following me might.
I will be mailing it on to the next participant soon. 

Journal Entry 7 by guinaveve at by postal services in Sent by mail, a fellow bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases on Monday, June 16, 2008

Released 3 yrs ago (6/16/2008 UTC) at by postal services in Sent by mail, a fellow bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases

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Journal Entry 8 by blackadder75 from Lebanon, Pennsylvania USA on Thursday, June 19, 2008

I got this in today's mail. I have another bookring to read before this book. I should get to it by early next week. 

Journal Entry 9 by blackadder75 from Lebanon, Pennsylvania USA on Sunday, June 29, 2008

I agree with guinaveve and ladybug74. I didn't think this book was Picoult's best but neither was it her worst. I thought that revealing the end at the beginning of the story was a bad move. It made no emotional impact on me what so ever. I cry like a baby with sad books, but I didn't shed any tears with this one. I didn't connect with any of the characters in this book on any level. It turns out that Oliver was the most likeable one for me. He didn't start out that way, but the changes he goes through changed that. I already have the next person's address. I shall be sending it along in a few days. 

Journal Entry 10 by blackadder75 at BookRing in Book Ring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, July 03, 2008

Released 3 yrs ago (7/3/2008 UTC) at BookRing in Book Ring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

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Sent off to 300dogs this morning. 

Journal Entry 11 by 300dogs from Jackson, New Jersey USA on Monday, July 14, 2008

Just arrived in todays mail. Yippee! 

Journal Entry 12 by 300dogs from Jackson, New Jersey USA on Friday, August 15, 2008

I just finished reading this book and have mixed feelings. I did enjoy the back and forth story lines, repeating from different points of view. The first 300 pages sort of dragged a bit even though you knew how the story was going to end but, I did enjoy the last 50 pages. It was a bit suspenseful just how and when Oliver would show up to the farm and the story leading up to Hadley and Rebecca being found on the mountain. Overall, not my favorite Jodi Picoult book but not the worst either.

Thank you ladybug74 for starting this ray. I will mail this off to dvg tomorrow. 

Journal Entry 13 by 300dogs from Jackson, New Jersey USA on Saturday, August 16, 2008

I just got back from the post office. Songs of the Humpback Whale is on it's way to dvg in New Jersey.

PS-I forgot to mention in my previous journal entry that I was disappointed that there was not an epilogue to the book. I thought for sure either Jane or Rebecca would be raising a baby after their 5 day stint at the apple farm!! 

Journal Entry 14 by 300dogs at Jackson, New Jersey USA on Saturday, August 16, 2008

Released 3 yrs ago (8/16/2008 UTC) at Jackson, New Jersey USA

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I'm not sure if this is correct--this is a new feature. Songs of the Humpback Whale is being mailed within New Jersey--from Jackson to Flanders. 

Journal Entry 15 by dvg from Flanders, New Jersey USA on Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Thank you ladybug74 for starting this ray!

It arrived safely today 300dogs - loved the pic of the dogs on the envelope, very cute! I'm finishing another bookring but should have this one read and on its way within a week as I'm a fast reader. =)

I will PM Tfunk2o05 today.
 

Journal Entry 16 by dvg at Postal Release, Given to a fellow bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, September 02, 2008

Released 3 yrs ago (9/2/2008 UTC) at Postal Release, Given to a fellow bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases

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I have to say that this was not my favorite Jodi Picoult. I always enjoy her books and I love her well written stories, her characters normally always touch me, each one. But not in this case. I feel the story told from five different voices was a wonderful idea; but there was no new perspective to reading it that way except that each remember the story at different points in time so it jumps a little bit from each view point. That got a little confusing in the middle of the book, I had to put it down for a day and pick it back up again. I had to read this slower than I normally do as well.

I think Picoult could have done so much better with this book if she revealed something different in each perspective. If she did, I was oblivious to it as it must have been essential to the character and blended in.

Sending to Tfunk2o05 today. I hope you enjoy it. If this is your first time reading Picoult, do not judge her on this novel but try another. 

Journal Entry 17 by Tfunk2o05 from Villa Rica, Georgia USA on Tuesday, September 09, 2008

I just got it today! I can't wait to read it.
 

Journal Entry 18 by Tfunk2o05 from Villa Rica, Georgia USA on Thursday, September 25, 2008

Honestly, not my favorite. I've read a lot by her and I didn't care for this one. I didn't respect the characters at all. The style of writing was interesting, but didn't work for me.

I've sent a PM to the next person on the list, but she never responded. Any suggestions?

 

Journal Entry 19 by lynlee4 from North Port, Florida USA on Monday, October 06, 2008

Received today - thank you! I will take this on vacation next week and update when I return. 

Journal Entry 20 by lynlee4 from North Port, Florida USA on Wednesday, October 15, 2008

This book was a struggle for me. I never knew where I was time wise! I'm so glad Ladybug was willing to share~thank you!
I've emailed Lisabb and will put in the mail next week when I return from vacation. 

Journal Entry 21 by lynlee4 from North Port, Florida USA on Wednesday, October 22, 2008

lisabb2 asked to be skipped-she's already read it. Have pm'd 4-lele

Sent via media mail to 4-lele today. 

Journal Entry 22 by lynlee4 at North Port, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Friday, October 31, 2008

Released 3 yrs ago (10/31/2008 UTC) at North Port, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

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via media mail 

Journal Entry 23 by 4-lele from Elmhurst, Illinois USA on Thursday, December 11, 2008

Songs of the Humpback Whale by Jodi Picoult arrived safe and sound! I didn't realize I had forgotten to journal the book when it arrived, my apologies. I seem to be reading slowly on this one, this book doesn't have the "must read" characteristics of some of her other novels I've read but I'm still enjoying it. I'm about 2/3 of the way finished. When I'm done I will journal again and send this book on to the next reader!

Thanks for sharing this book ~ Happy Holidays! 

Journal Entry 24 by 4-lele from Elmhurst, Illinois USA on Friday, January 16, 2009

The "Songs of the Humpback Whale by Jodi Picoult is different than the other novels I have read by this author. Besides the chaos of life & the holidays it took me awhile to really start to enjoy this read. Once I became used to the "style" she uses here and got to know the characters better I found this a great novel!

I apologize for holding this book way too long and much longer than the bookring rules however I do greatly appreciate that I was allowed the time to get into this book and finally enjoy it and wonder what the outcome would be @ the end ~ of course I'm not going to spoil that for anyone! Give this book a chance and I know you will like it too!!

Thanks for sharing ~ I'll get in touch with the next person on the list and send it in the mail pronto! 

Journal Entry 25 by nynjagrrrl from Elkhorn, Wisconsin USA on Sunday, February 22, 2009

I didn't journal this book when it came. This was not my favorite of Picoult's. The storyline was a little hard to follow and didn't keep my interest. 

Journal Entry 26 by Bug2004 from Omaha, Nebraska USA on Saturday, March 21, 2009

Re'cvd today. Will get to it as quick as I can...have several in front. Thanks for sharing! :) 

Journal Entry 27 by Bug2004 from Omaha, Nebraska USA on Thursday, June 04, 2009

First of all, I've had this way too long and for that, I'm sorry.

I thought the story was good...not great, but good. I love the way Picoult writes. I thought the Whale part would be very interesting, but something dry about it. I agree...not my favorite Picoult, but glad I read it.

I still haven't heard back on an address, so I will try again and get this thing on the road again. 

Journal Entry 28 by Bug2004 from Omaha, Nebraska USA on Monday, June 15, 2009

Mailed off to sarahjanemc today. 

Journal Entry 29 by sarahjanemc from Monmouth, Oregon USA on Friday, August 07, 2009

read and tried to send out......got it back in the ,ail today. recontacting the next reader for her address and will hopefully get out this weekend! 

Journal Entry 30 by ladybug74 from Dothan, Alabama USA on Monday, November 09, 2009

This book appears to have been lost. I am not able to get a reply from sarahjanemc, who has had the book since around June and the next reader has not received the book from her. Anther bookcrosser has already made a generous offer to replace this book, so I will be posting a link to the journal for the new book soon. 

Journal Entry 31 by ladybug74 from Dothan, Alabama USA on Saturday, November 14, 2009

Here is the journal entry for the replacement book that was kindly offered by soffitta1. Money is tight for me right now due to the fact that I am in my last semester of graduate school and doing an unpaid internship. If not for the kindness of soffitta1, it would be a while before I could replace this book. When I catch up financially, I will send something from her wishlist to repay this act of kindness.