Journal Entry 1 by Calif-BookLover from Union City, California USA on Friday, January 02, 2009

Another story about a unique and lovable animal. Dewey is a tiny kitten, found one very cold morning in the book depository of the public library of Spencer, Iowa. (Either having been dumped into the depository slot by some not-so-nice person or having somehow climbed in by himself.) Soon he is beloved by the library staff, and he becomes a sort of mascot or symbol of the entire town. Spencer is experiencing its own set of economic challenges as many farmers are being driven off the land by factory farms, and small businesses driven away as the Walmarts of the world come to Spencer. Dewey proceeds to develop quite a personality, and practically "owns" the library, patrolling the stacks and claiming the laps of the people attending events at the library. Like many such books, this one tells the sad events when Dewey eventually meets his end... and as a catlover, I found this part very painful to read. But all in all, it's a delightful story of a very special and unique cat. 

Journal Entry 2 by JDT from Pleasanton, California USA on Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Serendipity at the local meetup this evening!
My sister has been telling me about this book which she loved reading and discussing with her book group.

The cover art and photos on the inside covers are wonderful.
Thanks, Calif-Booklover! 

Journal Entry 3 by JDT from Pleasanton, California USA on Wednesday, January 21, 2009

A wonderful, heartwarming read! And this from one who's not really a cat afficionada.

Yes, the story of this amazing, likeable cat Dewey, but as powerful to me was his positive effect on people of all ages, the mutually nurturing relationship between Dewey and the author, and the portrait of a small Iowa town with its challenges and resilience over the years. [personal aside on the timing of this read for me: the can-do, independent, friendly spirit of this community seems to fit in with the community service, hopeful, get-to-work spirit Obama has inspired during these inaugural days]

Simple/deep life lessons the author learned from Dewey:
Find your place. Be happy with what you have. Treat everyone well. Live a good life. It isn't about material things; it's about love.

After checking wishlists, I'm sending this book on a bookring journey.
 

Journal Entry 4 by JDT from Pleasanton, California USA on Wednesday, January 21, 2009

And so the bookring begins!

- ksreader - KS
- dabercro - UT
- cyer-librarian - NC
- GWF - NH
- oliviapoolside - WA
- skoobyz - CA
- valpete - CA
- batty14 - NY
- JDT - home again

Bookring guidelines:

Please journal the book's safe arrival - as well as your thoughts after reading it.
PM the next reader for address, so you'll be ready to mail it on.
I'm thinking 3 weeks each should be plenty of time - but let us know if you need more time.

Happy travels, Dewey; it's a lovely group of bookcrossers!
 

Journal Entry 5 by ksreader from Frontenac, Kansas USA on Wednesday, January 28, 2009

What a beautiful book! There's just something about the cover photo that makes me smile. Thank you JDT for using the wishlist function and inviting me to take part in this bookring. I've been wanting to read this one for awhile! 

Journal Entry 6 by ksreader from Frontenac, Kansas USA on Saturday, January 31, 2009

Dewey has been mailed off to dabercro! This was a lovely story, and about more than just a cat in a library. The author included much about rural Iowa and the changes it went through during her time as library director, as well as her family troubles. She did a wonderful job in re-telling her life, without making herself a hero. 

Journal Entry 7 by dabercro from Clinton, Utah USA on Friday, February 06, 2009

Arrived safely in the mail yesterday. Should be able to start reading this in the next few days. Thanks JDT for inviting me to join. 

Journal Entry 8 by dabercro from Clinton, Utah USA on Friday, February 13, 2009

I really enjoyed this book! What a wonderful story! It speaks to the sixth sense that animals have to know our feelings and to just be there for us when we need them. I, too, liked the way the author also wrote about small town life and her own personal life. 

Journal Entry 9 by dabercro at By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Friday, February 13, 2009

Released 3 yrs ago (2/13/2009 UTC) at By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

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Sending to cyber-librarian in NC 

Journal Entry 10 by cyber-librarian from Cary, North Carolina USA on Saturday, February 21, 2009

I received this book in the mail yesterday from dabercro in UT ... as part of this bookring. When it rains it pours! LOL! This is now the 5th bookring/ray I have received. But I really want to read this one, so I'm excited to get to it asap!!
UPDATE (2/24/09): Now I only have 2 bookray/ring in front of this one.
UPDATE (3/2/09): Now reading!!!

c. 2008 -- 277 pages -- Hardcover -- Spencer, Iowa -- Cats -- Biography

Jacket Flap: How much of an impact can an animal have? How many lives can one cat touch? How is it possible for an abandoned kitten to transform a small library, save a classic American town, and eventually become famous around the world? You can't even begin to answer those questions until you hear the charming story of Dewey Readmore Books, the beloved library cat of Spencer, Iowa.

Dewey's story starts in the worst possible way. Only a few weeks old, on the coldest night of the year, he was stuffed into the returned book slot at the Spencer Public Library. He was found the next morning by library director Vicki Myron, a single mother who had survived the loss of her family farm, a breast cancer scare, and an alcoholic husband. Dewey won her heart, and the hearts of the staff, by pulling himself up and hobbling on frostbitten feet to nudge each of them in a gesture of thanks and love. For the next 19 years, he never stopped charming the people of Spencer with his enthusiasm, warmth, humility (for a cat), and, above all, his 6th sense about who needed him most.

As his fame grew from town to town, then state to state, and finally, amazingly, worldwide, Dewey became more than just a friend, he became a source of pride for an extraordinary Heartland farming town pulling its way slowly back from the greatest crisis in its long history. 

Journal Entry 11 by cyber-librarian from Cary, North Carolina USA on Wednesday, March 04, 2009

I finished reading this book today. Dewey Readmore Books is absolutely adorable. His pictures in the book are fantastic and the one on the cover is amazing. I wish I would have known about him ... as I would have made a stop in Spencer the times we drove through Iowa. This book was just irresistible to me ... I had to read it. Thank you so much, JDT for including me in your bookring.

When I started reading it, I told my daughter about it and showed her some of the pictures. Right away she said that it was going to be a sad book. I didn't want to acknowledge it, but I know that since Dewey had lived 19 years, there was bound to be a sad part in the part. And sure enough I bawled like a baby when it came.

I was a little surprised by all the history (the author's, the town's, and even Iowa's). I thought it would be more about Dewey and how he touched people's lives. But the author did balance the two factors very well in the story. She probably needed the history parts for filler.

I have GWF's address, so I'll be mailing the book out this week ... so Dewey can continue his adventure ... and be loved by more. 

Journal Entry 12 by cyber-librarian at Mailed to fellow bookcrosser, Postal Release -- Controlled Releases on Monday, March 09, 2009

Released 3 yrs ago (3/9/2009 UTC) at Mailed to fellow bookcrosser, Postal Release -- Controlled Releases

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

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I'm mailing this book today to GWF in NH ... as part of this bookring. Sorry for the delay, but the last week was quite hectic for me.

DC# 0306-1070-0000-8356-1228 

Journal Entry 13 by GWF from Milford, New Hampshire USA on Saturday, March 14, 2009

The book arrived safely in today's mail. I'm very near the end of a James Patterson thriller so I'll put this next in line. Thanks JDT for using the wishlist and including me in this ring. 

Journal Entry 14 by GWF from Milford, New Hampshire USA on Wednesday, April 01, 2009

This was a great read. It’s a compelling and heartwarming tale not only of how passionately an animal can touch our hearts, but also of deep rooted “small town values”. I enjoyed the way both were presented in the book. Even with the anticipated tear jerk at the end, you’ll walk away from this experience with a smile on your face. Thank you JDT for your thoughtfulness in using the wishlist to create this ring. I have oliviapoolside’s address and will be posting it today. 

Journal Entry 15 by GWF at bookcrosser, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, April 01, 2009

Released 3 yrs ago (4/1/2009 UTC) at bookcrosser, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

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On its way to oliviapoolside by USPS. Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 16 by oliviapoolside from Seattle, Washington USA on Friday, April 03, 2009

Just received this and I will read it next. It looks lovely and I'm looking forward to it. I will be out of town for almost 2 weeks but will mail it on as soon as I get back. 

Journal Entry 17 by oliviapoolside from Seattle, Washington USA on Saturday, April 18, 2009

I enjoyed this book very much. Dewey the Cat (Dewey Readmore Books) had a personality uniquely suited to being a library cat and he was loved by people not just in his hometown of Spencer, Iowa, but all over the world. I love cats so it was an easy and enjoyable read that I could happily relate to. I've already been recommending it to anyone who loves a cat and loves to read. 

Journal Entry 18 by oliviapoolside at Seattle, Washington USA on Monday, April 20, 2009

Released 3 yrs ago (4/20/2009 UTC) at Seattle, Washington USA

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Sent to Skoobyz in California. It is a lovely book, enjoy! 

Journal Entry 19 by skoobyz from San Andreas, California USA on Wednesday, April 22, 2009

It arrived safely in the mail today. I will start it shortly and then send it on to the next person.

I finished it and sent it on. I found it to be a great book. The author gave a lot of information on the town and state and managed to make it interesting. Of course the main character Dewey was the focal point but you really got to know the people whose lives he touched. A wonderful demonstration of the give and take in a loving relationship with an animal. Yes, the ending is sad. Especially as my 13 year old rottie is in her final days but I know I wouldn't traded my time with her for anything and I'm pretty sure the author felt the same about Dewey. 

Journal Entry 20 by valpete from Walnut Creek, California USA on Friday, May 08, 2009

Dewey arrived today. I'll be starting this one immediately. 

Journal Entry 21 by valpete from Walnut Creek, California USA on Saturday, May 16, 2009

A delightful book! I just fell in love with Dewey! I'm an animal lover, so this book was a hit with me. I also liked the way the author wove her story and the story of Spencer, Iowa throughout the book.

Will be sending it along to Batty 14 on Monday. 

Journal Entry 22 by AnonymousFinder on Monday, June 01, 2009

Arrived today. Can't wait to read.

CAUGHT IN BALLSTON SPA NY UNITED STATES 

Journal Entry 23 by batty14 from Ballston Spa, New York USA on Monday, June 01, 2009

Wasn't logged in before, so wanted to make sure this one has my name attached! 

Journal Entry 24 by batty14 from Ballston Spa, New York USA on Saturday, June 13, 2009

Finished up last night. Liked most of the book, but was distracted by the author's personal life woven through. I thought the book would be all about Dewey which is a wonderful story. Overall very interesting. Thanks for sharing it! 

Journal Entry 25 by batty14 at Ballston Spa, New York USA on Saturday, June 20, 2009

Released 2 yrs ago (6/20/2009 UTC) at Ballston Spa, New York USA

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Finally got to the post office and mailled this one off! Thanks for sharing it! 

Journal Entry 26 by JDT from Pleasanton, California USA on Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Dewey is safely home - and really enjoyed his travels!

Thanks to everyone in this awesome bookring - it's quite impressive to me that the book travelled to 8 readers in 5 months! 

Journal Entry 27 by JDT from Pleasanton, California USA on Sunday, July 12, 2009

sending this well-travelled book on a mini-bookring:

- collectorkerri - IL
- WingedMan - KY
- JDT - CA (home again)

The usual respectful bookring guidelines:

Please journal the book's safe arrival - as well as your thoughts after reading it.
PM the next reader for address, so you'll be ready to mail it on.
I'm thinking 3 weeks each should be plenty of time - but let us know if you need more time.
 

Journal Entry 28 by collectorkerri from Springfield, Illinois USA on Saturday, July 18, 2009

Received today. Will read ASAP. 

Journal Entry 29 by WingedMan on Monday, August 03, 2009

It has arrived safe and sound. Thank you! 

Journal Entry 30 by WingedMan on Friday, August 07, 2009

It isn't exactly what I expected but what a touching and beautiful story; the photos throughout the book are a wonderful touch. Thank you for sharing Dewey! 

Journal Entry 31 by WingedMan at by mail, a fellow bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases on Friday, August 07, 2009

Released 2 yrs ago (8/7/2009 UTC) at by mail, a fellow bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

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Returning to JDT. 

Journal Entry 32 by JDT from Pleasanton, California USA on Friday, August 14, 2009

This well-travelled book is safely home!
Thanks for joining Dewey's bookrings and taking such good care of this book! 

Journal Entry 33 by JDT from Pleasanton, California USA on Tuesday, September 08, 2009

Dewey is travelling again!
Still in great shape after so many lovely trips.

Gave it to bayareabookie at our local meetup this evening.
Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 34 by BayAreaBookie from Livermore, California USA on Thursday, September 10, 2009

I am a sucker for cats and cat books. Will eventually pass this along to mother who is an even bigger cat lover. Gee, wonder where I got it from? 

Journal Entry 35 by BayAreaBookie at Las Vegas, Nevada USA on Sunday, October 30, 2011

Released 7 mos ago (10/30/2011 UTC) at Las Vegas, Nevada USA

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Gave this to my mother months ago and forgot to journal it. Oops.....