Edit, September 23, 2008. Beautifully written! The story of lost youth, of a youth where water and surfboards are the most essential items in the life of growing up kids.It is a chase to the extremes, pushing the personal boundaries further and further off. It is really breathtaking. One of the ten best books read in 2008!

I'm making a bookray out of this one, because I want to read your impressions!

The following bookcrossers read along:

"Lobodyke" from Bardstown, Kentucky, USA (US ONLY)
"msjoanna" from New York, New York. USA (US)
(if there is a problem with sending to Australia, please check with me. Thanks! Book-Man-8)
"fairy-whispers" from Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia (Australia ONLY!)

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

The book is off to "Lobodyke". Enjoy!

Received this bookray in the mail yesterday, and will start reading it as soon as I finish the main book I am currently reading. Thanks for starting the bookray, book-man-8, as Tim Winton books can be hard to come by.

I sincerely enjoyed this book. I didn't anticipate it being the type of book that I would have difficulty putting down, but it was. I read over half of it in the first night after I got it. What I like most are Tim Winton's descriptions of characters and places. He does such a good job of this that I can just imagine what someone is like and feel as if I am in the place and situation that he describes. Thanks for setting up the bookray, book-man-8. I'll send this on to msjoanna as soon as I get an address.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

This wonderful book is finally on its merry little way!

Delivery Confirmation #0307-1790-0001-7765-8069

This has arrived in NYC. I have a couple of other ring books ahead of it, but will get to it soon. Really looking forward to this one.

Update 12/9/08: I'm about halfway through this one and enjoying it so far. It'll probably take me a couple more days to finish -- sorry for keeping it slightly longer than a month.

This is the first Tim Winton book that I've read, but I'll definitely be on the lookout for more from this author. I really enjoyed this book and the writing crackled from the pages. Though I've never been much of a thrill-seeker myself, the book made the edge and exhileration of extreme surfing come alive. The book was more than just a surfing tale, though. It had real emotional heart to it that will leave me musing for quite some time.

The book is now in the mail to fairy-whispers. Thanks very much for sharing this book with me.

G'day,

Just checking in to let you know I am safe and sound. I am having a nice visit with fairy-whispers before continuing on my travels. I hope you’re having as much fun as I am!

With Great Affection,

Your Book :-)

Breath is an enjoyable coming-of-age novel written in a refreshingly light style that is easy to read. Tim Winton captures the feel of small-time Australia well, and the characters could be anyone from our own childhood. Despite its simplicity, Pikelet's story is filled with hidden sinkholes and rips, reminiscent of the ocean that plays such an important role in his life. The thrills and exhilaration of surfing are described with such intensity that we almost feel as though we are there, and the hidden pitfalls of everyday relationships are aptly demonstrated.

Breath is a simple but memorable read and I recommend it for adults and teens alike. I will certainly be seeking out more of this author's work.

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

Somewhere in Southbank ;-)

G'day Welcome to BookCrossing! What you have in your hands is an honest-to-goodness gift, no strings attached. You may keep it forever and ever, pass it on to a friend, or release it in the wild like I did. I know it may seem a little odd to find this lying around--it's my way of touching the lives of others in a positive way and sharing my love of books. This book started it’s journey in Rockhampton, Qld, Australia and I would like to thank you for letting us know it is still safe and sound. All over the world people are following their book’s travels through BookCrossing & by graciously visiting this site and making an entry you are helping keep this book’s unique travelling history up-to-date. If you choose to read this book, it would be really great if you could come back and let us know what you thought – as confirmed bookaholics, we love to compare notes! Don’t worry - you can remain anonymous if you wish. While you don’t have to register or join, I hope you will consider doing so. It’s free, it’s confidential (you are only known by your screen-name), and it’s highly addictive! If you do decide to join, please list myself (fairy-whispers) or any previous reader of this book as your referring member. For more information about BookCrossing, check out the FAQs on the homepage. For more information about me (fairy-whispers) or any other reader of this book, just click on that person’s screen-name above.

Have a great day and may you always have a good book to read!