The Brief History of the Dead
21 journalers for this copy...
'Imagine a place between heaven and earth' so begins the write up on the back of the book. This is a great story, compulsive reading, a book that once read will stay in your mind for a long time.
Released 14 yrs ago (5/23/2009 UTC) at Bloemfontein, Free State South Africa
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Posted to MrBaggins in SA as start of bookring.
Posted to MrBaggins in SA as start of bookring.
Received through the mail today from Citibelle. Thanks for sharing.
There's a little card in with the bookring/ray and I'm posting it here for ease of reference. I hope the sequence and shipping details are correct:
MrBaggins1 - ZA
Hyper7 - ZA
luckof - Canada
amidabutsu - Canada
rockyhorror1978 - Canada
I'll get around to it as soon as I can as I have a couple of Rings/Rays in front of it. I'm a bit swamped at the moment.
There's a little card in with the bookring/ray and I'm posting it here for ease of reference. I hope the sequence and shipping details are correct:
MrBaggins1 - ZA
Hyper7 - ZA
luckof - Canada
amidabutsu - Canada
rockyhorror1978 - Canada
I'll get around to it as soon as I can as I have a couple of Rings/Rays in front of it. I'm a bit swamped at the moment.
Finished reading this and it's a well written and though provoking book. I refered to it on my Live Journal
http://mrbaggins1.livejournal.com/25263.html
Thanks for sharing. I have hyphen7's address and will send it on soon together with "The Wooden Sea" which he is also next in line for. I'll finish "Wooden Sea" before the end of June
http://mrbaggins1.livejournal.com/25263.html
Thanks for sharing. I have hyphen7's address and will send it on soon together with "The Wooden Sea" which he is also next in line for. I'll finish "Wooden Sea" before the end of June
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Releasing this today with two other books to hyper7 in Secunda, South Africa, who is next on the list. Sorry for the delay but I knew I had another 'ray that I'll read and wanted to dispatch then at the same time to on postage.
Releasing this today with two other books to hyper7 in Secunda, South Africa, who is next on the list. Sorry for the delay but I knew I had another 'ray that I'll read and wanted to dispatch then at the same time to on postage.
Received it in the mail today, looking forward to it!
Thanks!
Thanks!
Very good book! I'll be sending it on soon.
Thanks Citibelle!
Thanks Citibelle!
Journal Entry 8 by hyper7 at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Monday, August 3, 2009
Released 14 yrs ago (8/3/2009 UTC) at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Sent to luckof.
Enjoy!
Sent to luckof.
Enjoy!
Rec'd this today -- have another ahead of it (don't Rays/Rings seem to appear all at once?!)but will get started as soon as I can..thanks for sending it along.
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
This book is on its way now to Halifax, Nova Scotia.
I enjoyed the overall premise of the book and the idea that there is indeed an afterlife and that we continue to exist as long as someone thinks of us and remembers us.
This book is on its way now to Halifax, Nova Scotia.
I enjoyed the overall premise of the book and the idea that there is indeed an afterlife and that we continue to exist as long as someone thinks of us and remembers us.
the book arrived yesterday in the mail, thanks!
have another bookcrossing book to finish before i get to this one.
have another bookcrossing book to finish before i get to this one.
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
sent to the next in line.
sent to the next in line.
i thought it was a pretty interesting story. i like the idea of two worlds for the dead, with a world for those who are remembered by the living.
i'm just glad i don't like coca-cola :)
i'm just glad i don't like coca-cola :)
Journal Entry 14 by rockyhorror1978 from not specified, not specified not specified on Thursday, October 29, 2009
Received today. I'm looking forward to reading this book. Thank you to Citibelle for sharing this book with me.
Journal Entry 15 by rockyhorror1978 from not specified, not specified not specified on Sunday, November 15, 2009
An interesting book. I enjoyed the premise that as long as we're remembered, we are alive in some capacity. Brockmeier did a fantastic job of personifying this in his book. It is also interesting to note that we often focus our memory on the people that make the greatest impact on our life and seem to forget the small players. This book is a great reminder that everyone we encounter has an impact on us in some capacity. I enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to sharing it further. Thank you to Citibelle for sharing with me.
This book is going to continue it's journey as a bookray:
Participants:
1. yoursecretninja (Canada - Canada/US)
2. hoserlauren (Canada - Canada/US)
3. lauraloo (Canada - International)
4. mafarrimond (Wales - EU)
5. karen07814 (England - International)
I hope everyone enjoys the book and I just ask that you do you the following:
1. Make a quick journal entry when you receive the book.
2. Read and send on within four weeks- or make a journal entry to let us know how you're getting on if you need longer.
3. Make a journal entry when you've finished.
4. Use the cheapest method of shipping available to send the book on.
This book is going to continue it's journey as a bookray:
Participants:
1. yoursecretninja (Canada - Canada/US)
2. hoserlauren (Canada - Canada/US)
3. lauraloo (Canada - International)
4. mafarrimond (Wales - EU)
5. karen07814 (England - International)
I hope everyone enjoys the book and I just ask that you do you the following:
1. Make a quick journal entry when you receive the book.
2. Read and send on within four weeks- or make a journal entry to let us know how you're getting on if you need longer.
3. Make a journal entry when you've finished.
4. Use the cheapest method of shipping available to send the book on.
Released 14 yrs ago (11/15/2009 UTC) at
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Being given to yoursecretninja to start the bookray.
Being given to yoursecretninja to start the bookray.
Journal Entry 17 by yoursecretninja from not specified, not specified not specified on Sunday, November 15, 2009
RockyHorror1978 passed this book along to me with a strong recommendation - and well - her word is golden. I'm looking forward to reading this. I'll post my thoughts on it when I finish. I will be returning this book to the Oakville BookCrossing meet-up in December 2009.
I got this book at our Oakville meetup today. I totally can't remember signing up for a bookray but whatever! I'll give this a read and send it on its way! :)
This sci-fi/fantasy/fiction book brings a different spin to an "end of worlds" story. A virus called the blinks has killed just about every human being on earth, but earth isn't the final journey for these people. While there are still humans left on earth that remember those that have died, they live in a city with each other, and their lives go on as they would in the real world. However as more and more people die on earth, the population of the city becomes smaller and smaller because there are less living humans to remember. Soon they realize that the only common thread is one person: Laura Byrd.
Laura was on an expedition for Coca-Cola in the Antarctic with two other colleagues when they lose their communications. Her colleagues headed out to get help, but after weeks of waiting and not getting any news, Laura decides to make the journey herself. As she travels, she remembers small moments in her life with other people, who are now in the city. She fights to survive, not knowing if she is the last person on earth or not.
Though this really does fall into the sci-fi genre, it doesn't read as one. The focus isn't on the events happening so much as it is on the memories of those living and dead. It's incredibly easy to get into this book and the pages keep turning as you wait to see what ends up happening to Laura, though there are some hiccups along the way. The chapters switch back and forth between Laura and the city, and I found that one of the city chapters about the religious man I couldn't determine the relevance of it, which made me skim through it.
This book definitely gets points for creativity though, so I would recommend it!
Waiting for an address to send along :)
Laura was on an expedition for Coca-Cola in the Antarctic with two other colleagues when they lose their communications. Her colleagues headed out to get help, but after weeks of waiting and not getting any news, Laura decides to make the journey herself. As she travels, she remembers small moments in her life with other people, who are now in the city. She fights to survive, not knowing if she is the last person on earth or not.
Though this really does fall into the sci-fi genre, it doesn't read as one. The focus isn't on the events happening so much as it is on the memories of those living and dead. It's incredibly easy to get into this book and the pages keep turning as you wait to see what ends up happening to Laura, though there are some hiccups along the way. The chapters switch back and forth between Laura and the city, and I found that one of the city chapters about the religious man I couldn't determine the relevance of it, which made me skim through it.
This book definitely gets points for creativity though, so I would recommend it!
Waiting for an address to send along :)
Mailed yesterday to Lauraloo! Enjoy!
Arrived safe and sound today. I have another bookring before this one. But I will keep it moving.
It is 31C today here. Too hot too soon! We have a large forest fire burning just to the east of the city and there is hazy smoke everywhere.
It is 31C today here. Too hot too soon! We have a large forest fire burning just to the east of the city and there is hazy smoke everywhere.
I'm not sure how I feel about this book. I very much liked the first part and Laura's story. The second half - not so much. I did enjoy the idea of continuing to live in people's memories. Lovely.
I will be sending this book to Wales. Thank you for sharing!
I will be sending this book to Wales. Thank you for sharing!
The book has arrived safely. I have a few read ahead of it but will get round to it as soon as I can.
I really enjoyed this book. It makes you think about just how many people's lives you touch, who and what you remember.
I enjoyed the dual stories - I am interested in the true account of the antartic that Laura's story was based on.
Thank you for sharing this with me.
I enjoyed the dual stories - I am interested in the true account of the antartic that Laura's story was based on.
Thank you for sharing this with me.
arrived today thank you, no 3 on tbr
Another book that makes you realise just how many things can be imagined by all of us and how few of us write them down.
I love the idea of this one with the parallel world going on. I lost interest at the bible preachers chapter but then religion does that to me.
And then towards the end it got totally weird and wonderful. Great imagination of what losing a mind could possibly be like.
Thank you for sharing
please offer and bump this thread http://www.bookcrossing.com/forum/20/396313?forumView=1 when you've read it
Another book that makes you realise just how many things can be imagined by all of us and how few of us write them down.
I love the idea of this one with the parallel world going on. I lost interest at the bible preachers chapter but then religion does that to me.
And then towards the end it got totally weird and wonderful. Great imagination of what losing a mind could possibly be like.
Thank you for sharing
please offer and bump this thread http://www.bookcrossing.com/forum/20/396313?forumView=1 when you've read it
Journal Entry 26 by karen07814 at Salamander Bay, New South Wales Australia on Thursday, August 5, 2010
Released 13 yrs ago (8/5/2010 UTC) at Salamander Bay, New South Wales Australia
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
over to you by snail/prawn mail
The first book I have received at my new home :)
Wow!
I loved this book. The ideas were interesting and the language just flowed beautifully.
I want to keep it to read again and again....but I wont. Offered up as a bookray as requested
I loved this book. The ideas were interesting and the language just flowed beautifully.
I want to keep it to read again and again....but I wont. Offered up as a bookray as requested
Journal Entry 29 by bekoh at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Sunday, November 21, 2010
Released 13 yrs ago (11/19/2010 UTC) at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
posted to silvia-pco to continue the book ray.
It's here! I have another one to read before I can pick this up, but I'll try to be brief. I'll keep you posted.
First of all, I'm sorry for keeping this for more than the usual one-month period. I finished the book a couple of days ago, but just know had the chance to make my JE.
I enjoyed it very much, it was a breath of fresh air. I liked how there were two stories being told, and the way they ended up merging into one. And of course, the idea of the city where the dead exist because someone remembers them was quite interesting. This was a book that could end up as something heavy - it touches on a difficult subject, after all - but didn't, and was surprisingly light and easy to read.
I already have Duskdreamer's address,, who I believe is the next one on the list. I'll be mailing this out either during this week or the beginning of the next one.
I enjoyed it very much, it was a breath of fresh air. I liked how there were two stories being told, and the way they ended up merging into one. And of course, the idea of the city where the dead exist because someone remembers them was quite interesting. This was a book that could end up as something heavy - it touches on a difficult subject, after all - but didn't, and was surprisingly light and easy to read.
I already have Duskdreamer's address,, who I believe is the next one on the list. I'll be mailing this out either during this week or the beginning of the next one.
On its way to Duskdreamer. Enjoy!
Arrived safely today :) Looking forward to this one!
A very interesting book - it has a nice light style, so you can read it quite quickly, but it's also quite thoughtful. I likes the alternating narrative style, and that so much existence - in the city after death - can depend on just one person's memories.
On the other hand, it felt odd that it was so casual about the end of the human species, and the virus was really something of a mcguffin - meaningless in itself, just something that needs to be there in order for the story to happen. The city also felt very western-centric, yet the implication is that it's the only city of the remembered-dead, since it seems infinite in potential capacity - if so, it must have been startlingly alien for many of the newly dead from other parts of the world. That felt a little odd.
I can entirely believe that a brand-name soft drink could be the vehicle for bioterrorism :D It's so ubiquitous and taken for granted.
It'll be on its way to the next read as as soon as I work out who that is!
EDIT: This book is going on to:
- foxygirlACT
- goldenwattle
On the other hand, it felt odd that it was so casual about the end of the human species, and the virus was really something of a mcguffin - meaningless in itself, just something that needs to be there in order for the story to happen. The city also felt very western-centric, yet the implication is that it's the only city of the remembered-dead, since it seems infinite in potential capacity - if so, it must have been startlingly alien for many of the newly dead from other parts of the world. That felt a little odd.
I can entirely believe that a brand-name soft drink could be the vehicle for bioterrorism :D It's so ubiquitous and taken for granted.
It'll be on its way to the next read as as soon as I work out who that is!
EDIT: This book is going on to:
- foxygirlACT
- goldenwattle
Journal Entry 35 by foxygirlACT at Canberra, Australian Capital Territory Australia on Wednesday, March 16, 2011
I received this today in the post. Thanks for sending. I'm a little backed-up at the moment, but I will power through the other book I am reading and get onto this one ASAP
Journal Entry 36 by foxygirlACT at Canberra, Australian Capital Territory Australia on Sunday, March 27, 2011
I really enjoyed this book, very interesting take on the after-life and the connections between people. I also found it very easy to read and liked the story-telling from various character's view points.
I'll send on to goldenwattle as soon as I hear from them. Thanks for sharing!
I'll send on to goldenwattle as soon as I hear from them. Thanks for sharing!
Journal Entry 37 by foxygirlACT at Canberra, Australian Capital Territory Australia on Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Released 13 yrs ago (4/5/2011 UTC) at Canberra, Australian Capital Territory Australia
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
I popped this in the post today to a fellow Aussie. Happy travels!
Journal Entry 38 by 
goldenwattle
at Narrabundah, Australian Capital Territory Australia on Thursday, April 7, 2011
goldenwattle at Narrabundah, Australian Capital Territory Australia on Thursday, April 7, 2011
This was waiting for me in my letter box. Thank you FoxygirlACT for sending it onto me.ADDED 9/4/2011: I appear to be the last on the list, so I hope to have it finished in time for our next local BookCrossing meet. I'll take it along and see if I can interest anyone in it. I'll also advertise a continuing Bookray.
Journal Entry 39 by goldenwattle at Canberra, Australian Capital Territory Australia on Saturday, April 9, 2011
goldenwattle at Canberra, Australian Capital Territory Australia on Saturday, April 9, 2011
This book started off so well. I turned the pages eagerly, but then I began to get bored with it and I’m afraid I did not enjoy it as much as others seemed to. I know Laura’s memories of people were important to the story, but I found the constant memories of her past tiresome. And I found the city so American. Why was not the rest of the world represented in the city? Even the weather was North American. Life was supposed to continue in this afterlife, but for people from other cultures it would not have been a continuance, but a culture shock. Very parochial of the author.
No-one ever mentioned that they had tried to find the edge of this new world, find what was beyond the city, not until it began closing in anyway. Surely someone would have been adventurous enough. This is not the first afterlife story where I have found people’s lack of adventure frustrating; to find out what was beyond, to try to make sense of it all.
Why do people come to this after-world physically the age they died? It does not make sense and no explanation was given (unless I missed it because I was skimming). The physical bodies were left behind after all. And why should someone remain blind for the same reason?
Where does the produce in the shops come from? Who grows the food? All we had in the story was a city. But, if I accept this is a dreamlike world, which it did come over to me as, and things just are, I guess I can accept that food and other things in shops just are also. But I still can’t accept that someone would still be blind, or old, when the physical bodies are left behind, when others are not old and can see.
This book was a fast read, because as I tired with it and wanted it to end I skimmed.
No-one ever mentioned that they had tried to find the edge of this new world, find what was beyond the city, not until it began closing in anyway. Surely someone would have been adventurous enough. This is not the first afterlife story where I have found people’s lack of adventure frustrating; to find out what was beyond, to try to make sense of it all.
Why do people come to this after-world physically the age they died? It does not make sense and no explanation was given (unless I missed it because I was skimming). The physical bodies were left behind after all. And why should someone remain blind for the same reason?
Where does the produce in the shops come from? Who grows the food? All we had in the story was a city. But, if I accept this is a dreamlike world, which it did come over to me as, and things just are, I guess I can accept that food and other things in shops just are also. But I still can’t accept that someone would still be blind, or old, when the physical bodies are left behind, when others are not old and can see.
This book was a fast read, because as I tired with it and wanted it to end I skimmed.
Journal Entry 40 by goldenwattle at Civic, Australian Capital Territory Australia on Thursday, April 28, 2011
goldenwattle at Civic, Australian Capital Territory Australia on Thursday, April 28, 2011
Released 12 yrs ago (4/30/2011 UTC) at Civic, Australian Capital Territory Australia
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
I will take this along to the Canberra BookCrossing meet, held this month at King O'Malley's Pub in Civic, ACT to see if anyone is interested in it.ADDED 30/4/2011: No-one at the book meet took this book, so the book is travelling on to those listed below in the continuing bookray. I have sent a PM to PJLBewdy for their address.
Bookray
Continuing Bookray:
angelbird72 (Australia)
Debnz (NZ)
discoverylover (NZ)
ADDED 3/5/2011: I posted the book to PJLBewdy today. Enjoy the read.
This book is released for:
2011 Keep Them Moving Challenge
Book arrived safely from the wilds of Canberra. Thanks Goldenwattle - I shall look forward to reading the book despite the mixed reviews.
Released 12 yrs ago (5/15/2011 UTC) at Smiths Lake, New South Wales Australia
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
I thought this was a good book. I enjoyed the concept of the city and the slowly unravelling connectedness of the characters. The ending was pretty much the only one possible. The adventures of Laura were well told. The city is terribly American in character - maybe there would be parts of it that a Somalian or a Samoan would be comfortable with? Brockmeier lives in Little Rock, Arkansas so maybe there was a bit of modelling? Anyway - well worth the read in my view and just over two hundred pages.
Book is now on its way to Angelbird72 in Newcastle
Book is now on its way to Angelbird72 in Newcastle
This little(-ish) book arrived safe and sound yesterday afternoon. Given all the good reviews I've read, I'm pretty keen to get into it!
Thanks, everyone, for passing it along : )
Thanks, everyone, for passing it along : )
I'm sorry I kept this book for so long. I've had a very lively month and a half.
This book has proved to be a real comfort to have with me. It's not the most fantastic book, and I found the ending especially unsatisfying, but it was engaging. And I really appreciated being able to easily lose myself in this book.
So yeah, a pretty good book. Not life changing but pretty decent.
I'll send it off to the next person on Monday.
This book has proved to be a real comfort to have with me. It's not the most fantastic book, and I found the ending especially unsatisfying, but it was engaging. And I really appreciated being able to easily lose myself in this book.
So yeah, a pretty good book. Not life changing but pretty decent.
I'll send it off to the next person on Monday.
Hey there,
The book came Friday afternoon just as we were leaving for a relaxing (technology free) weekend away - perfect timing. I found it an interesting, easy read although I agree with angelbird that the ending was unsatisfying. I enjoyed learning how the characters in the city were tied to Laura & how their stories entertwined. The book kept me entertained all weekend and will send it on to the next person asap. Thanks for sharing :)
The book came Friday afternoon just as we were leaving for a relaxing (technology free) weekend away - perfect timing. I found it an interesting, easy read although I agree with angelbird that the ending was unsatisfying. I enjoyed learning how the characters in the city were tied to Laura & how their stories entertwined. The book kept me entertained all weekend and will send it on to the next person asap. Thanks for sharing :)
Journal Entry 46 by Debnz at Manukau City, Auckland Province New Zealand on Thursday, August 25, 2011
Got the address for the next person so the book is off to Discoverylover. cheers
Journal Entry 47 by discoverylover at Wellington City, Wellington Province New Zealand on Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Got it! Am just reading a book of my Dads, so will finish that then start this one :-)
Journal Entry 48 by discoverylover at Wellington City, Wellington Province New Zealand on Sunday, September 11, 2011
An interesting read about the end of the world. I'm not exactly sure what to say about it, it definitely kept me reading, at times I was bored, so put it down, but the idea was engaging enough that I would pick it up again later. It probably helped that I was reading it at the same time as another one, which is equally fascinating (The Art of Choosing by Sheena Iyengar) but also one that you only want to read a little bit at a time (I find this with most non-fiction books!). I'm glad I finished it though!
I've found someone I know who has it on their wishlist, so I'll send it off to them (although probably not till next weekend).
I've found someone I know who has it on their wishlist, so I'll send it off to them (although probably not till next weekend).
Journal Entry 49 by discoverylover at Newtown, Wellington Province New Zealand on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Released 11 yrs ago (8/1/2012 UTC) at Newtown, Wellington Province New Zealand
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Next weekend has well and truly been and gone, but I have now sent this book to Wiley90. Should be there in 3-6 working days. Hope you enjoy it, and sorry again for taking so long to get this back on the road!
Thank you! I will read this soon. :)
