Journal Entry 1 by kerbam1421 from Halethorpe, Maryland USA on Tuesday, May 25, 2010

My sister gave me this book - would like to share as a ring.



In a book that echoes the time-honored fiction of Harper Lee and Flannery O'Connor and memoirs by Mary Karr and Augusten Burroughs, Kevin Sessums brings the American South and the experiences of a strange little Mississippi boy to life.

 

Journal Entry 2 by kerbam1421 at Halethorpe, Maryland USA on Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Sending out as a ring. Please try to keep it for no more than a month. Last person, please send back my way. I have not read this yet. Check back here for updates to the list before sending out.

1) ravencat - NY
2) oi-reader - OH
3) guinaveve - OH

**Last person back to kerbam1421

BOOK RING COMPLETED 

Journal Entry 3 by kerbam1421 at Landover, Maryland USA on Friday, June 11, 2010

Released 1 yr ago (6/11/2010 UTC) at Landover, Maryland USA

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Journal Entry 4 by ravencat at Lancaster, New York USA on Thursday, June 17, 2010

Sorry for the delay for the JE but I just returned from vacation last night. I have one before this but won't take me long. 

Journal Entry 5 by ravencat at Lancaster, New York USA on Friday, July 02, 2010

To be honest this was not one of my favorite books. I struggled to finish it and I can't pinpoint any one reason why. While I do appreciate the authors story of his childhood struggles and loss of his parents at the same time his discovery of his sexual orientation just did not interest me. One thing I did enjoy was the nostalgic references made throughout the book as I can relate to them all as being the same age and growing up in the same era as him. I have Pm'd the next person and as soon as I get the addy it will be on its way. 

Journal Entry 6 by ravencat at Lancaster, New York USA on Tuesday, July 06, 2010

Released 1 yr ago (7/6/2010 UTC) at Lancaster, New York USA

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Sent on its way to next participant (oi-reader). USPS Del Conf # 0309 2880 0000 5033 4094 

Journal Entry 7 by oi-reader at Toledo, Ohio USA on Saturday, July 10, 2010

Arrived safely today! I have 2 books ahead of it but should be able to start it withina week. Thanks for including me :) 

Journal Entry 8 by oi-reader at Toledo, Ohio USA on Sunday, August 01, 2010

I agree, this was not my favorite book. My opinion is a bit opposite of ravencat's. I enjoyed the part reflecting on his childhood and discovering (and insisting) on his sexuality, however I did not enjoy the parts re: older, well known characters he was friends with. The last 50 or so pages were a struggle to finish.

Thanks for letting me participate in this ring. I am pm'ing guinaveve and hope to have it sent her way later this week. 

Journal Entry 9 by oi-reader at Toledo, Ohio USA on Tuesday, August 03, 2010

Released 1 yr ago (8/3/2010 UTC) at Toledo, Ohio USA

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Off to the next reader!!! 

Journal Entry 10 by guinaveve at Mason, Ohio USA on Wednesday, August 04, 2010

I received this today. I am going to finish my current read, probably today a short teen lit book. Then I will start this one. I am going to go ahead and PM kerbam1421 so I have the address ready once this is done. 

Journal Entry 11 by guinaveve at Mason, Ohio USA on Wednesday, August 11, 2010

This book was okay, not great. I felt like the sentences were awkwardly written during the first half making the book difficult to read. I don't think the style changed in the last half, I may have just gotten used to it.
It wasn't what I was expecting. The first review on the back of the books states, "Beautifully told-hilarious yet harrowing." There was nothing hilarious, or even mildly funny, in this book. I didn't get the sense that they author was even trying to convey anything humorous, not like Augusten Burroughs, which is more what I was expecting.
The last quarter of the book was the least interesting to me. I am not familiar with the important and famous people mentioned nor most of the plays, shows, and music included.
I was disappointed in the "big secret" with his father. It was implied as something different which was a gimmick to interest the reader until it was revealed. I thought it was sad and odd to make that implication about his father, to use him in that way.

I think the author's life and experiences were interesting and he grew up in an fascinating time in a place that made it all the more intriguing, but I just didn't like the way he chose to tell the story.
 

Journal Entry 12 by guinaveve at *** in Sent by mail, a fellow bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Released 1 yr ago (8/25/2010 UTC) at *** in Sent by mail, a fellow bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 13 by kerbam1421 at Halethorpe, Maryland USA on Friday, September 03, 2010

I received this back a couple of days ago, and kept forgetting to journal it. Thank you everyone, for participating. I'm not too sure if I want to read this now, after reading the reviews! :)