The Careful Use of Compliments

by Alexander McCall Smith | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: 0307390411 Global Overview for this book
Registered by wingApoloniaXwing of Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin Germany on 6/1/2010
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8 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by wingApoloniaXwing from Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin Germany on Tuesday, June 1, 2010
This book is a donation to BC from "Buchladen an der Kyll", an internet book store in Germany. Thank you!

From Publishers Weekly
Best known for the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, bestseller Smith shows he's just as adept at exploring mysteries of the heart in his fourth book to feature Edinburgh philosopher-sleuth Isabel Dalhousie (after The Right Attitude to Rain). Isabel has recently become a mother, but she has an ambiguous relationship with her son's father, Jamie, whose attempts to formalize their connection have been unsuccessful. Their ties are further strained by Jamie's ex-girlfriend, Cat, who not only still harbors strong feelings for him but is Isabel's niece. Isabel must also deal with petty academic politics aimed at depriving her of her position as editor of the Review of Applied Ethics. Smith throws in a mystery subplot—did an obscure but talented Scottish painter drown, commit suicide or fall victim to foul play?—but the resolution of that plot thread is more noteworthy for its insights into Isabel's humanistic and optimistic philosophy than for any surprise twists. Once again, Smith displays his skill at illustrating subtle nuances of human nature.

Journal Entry 2 by wingApoloniaXwing at Summer Gift, A RABCK -- Controlled Releases on Monday, June 7, 2010

Released 13 yrs ago (6/7/2010 UTC) at Summer Gift, A RABCK -- Controlled Releases

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Samuel the bear takes this book and a few little summer gift goodies with him to Hungary. I hope everything arrives safely... I am aware that is a risk to let a grumpy little bear travel with an Apollo bar, one never knows what might happen when he gets hungry. Anyway, happy reading!!!

Journal Entry 3 by hakkalina at Budapest, Pest Hungary on Friday, June 11, 2010
~~~ Summer Gift Giving ~~~
Fantastic! I got a BOX!!!!
I opened it with sparkling eyes, oh my Godness, I was rummaging in it enthusiatically to discover itsall contest. More and more and another one came across, this book was the bottom of it, but I found!! :))

Samuel is here, and he loves being here, since he is smiling all day long, moreover I introduced him to my colleagues.
The fragrant soap is so sweet-smelling, it helps to scent my office room (my room mates accepted it).

I found a Fair Trade chocolate in the box, and a fruit tea as well , I am so lucky, since my all tea reserves has just run out of, and now I got a speciality :)) Hmmmmmm
Moominssssssssss !! I hardly believed my eyes ! Wonderful moomins came to me on Bookplates!
Thank you so much ApoloniaX, this is so generous from you!!

Journal Entry 4 by hakkalina at Budapest, Pest Hungary on Monday, November 7, 2011

Released 12 yrs ago (11/7/2011 UTC) at Budapest, Pest Hungary

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

It is time to go on... The book is travelling to its next reader! ...

Ummm, I haven't finished this story ... it is actually not my cup of tea... though I love Mr. Mccall Smith's books, but his children books .... so instead of holding it on my shelf for ages with having the chance to read it sometime or never :))... I decided to move this book on .... since somebody is wishing for this book to read :D, yes it is a Rabck, and I hadn't sent her anything yet, but now, yes!! ... And this little book really deserves to be read... _:))

Journal Entry 5 by saarahoo at Helsinki, Uusimaa / Nyland Finland on Wednesday, November 16, 2011
The postie brought a lovely surprise! Thank you Hakkalina, I look forward to reading it.

Journal Entry 6 by saarahoo at Helsinki, Uusimaa / Nyland Finland on Friday, November 25, 2011
I felt like something nice and light and this was just the ticket. I'm sure McCall Smith's style doesn't appeal to everyone but I love it! Isabel Dalhousie does not quite have the charm of Precious Ramotswe but few do and I do have a soft spot for Scotland. Have to say though that fictional babies seem to be easier than real, while I consider getting dressed before noon an achievement, Isabel gallops around Edinburgh (and the island of Jura) solving mysteries! :D

Journal Entry 7 by saarahoo at Helsinki, Uusimaa / Nyland Finland on Friday, November 25, 2011

Released 12 yrs ago (11/28/2011 UTC) at Helsinki, Uusimaa / Nyland Finland

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Received as a rabck, only fair I pass it on as a rabck. Going to mail on Monday.

Journal Entry 8 by stinappi at Raahe, Pohjois-Pohjanmaa / Norra Österbotten Finland on Wednesday, November 30, 2011
What a great surprise! Thank you Saarahoo. What a pity I have some book ray and ring books to read, otherwise I would start reading this immediately.

Journal Entry 9 by Alejanda at Pori, Satakunta Finland on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
What a suprise! I got this book and warm hand made wool socks! Thank you so much stinaP!

Journal Entry 10 by Alejanda at Pori, Satakunta Finland on Sunday, May 17, 2015
This was vety enjoyable reading. :-)

Journal Entry 11 by Niksu at Helsinki, Uusimaa / Nyland Finland on Sunday, May 17, 2015
A wishlist book from dear Alejanda. I will read this quite soonish, I think.

Journal Entry 12 by Niksu at Helsinki, Uusimaa / Nyland Finland on Wednesday, December 30, 2015
I loved it. These Dalhousie-books requires a certain mood to enjoy it the fullest. I agree with saarahoo about the babies. I had a special eye for reading the baby parts in the book and it seems Charlie is the most easiest baby there is and Isabel the luckiest having Grace for babysitting. Where can I get more of these books?

Journal Entry 13 by Niksu at Helsinki, Uusimaa / Nyland Finland on Friday, January 1, 2016

Released 8 yrs ago (12/31/2015 UTC) at Helsinki, Uusimaa / Nyland Finland

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Off to Ronya from her wish list.


Read and Release at BookCrossing.com...

Journal Entry 14 by Ronya at Riihimäki, Kanta-Häme / Egentliga Tavastland Finland on Friday, January 8, 2016
What a wonderful surprise! McCall Smith's books are my favourites. Language is wonderful and stories are nice. Looking forward to start this soon!

Journal Entry 15 by Ronya at Riihimäki, Kanta-Häme / Egentliga Tavastland Finland on Tuesday, September 20, 2016
I just love these Isabel stories. Just perfect reading for autumn weekend. I was hoping to read more of Charlie and like others have said I foud Charlie also worlds easieast child. But thenagain Isabels's world is far from real (or at least from my world) but that's maybye one thing why I love these books. Unreal, easygoing and so lovely. It take's my mind off from my problems.


Journal Entry 16 by Ronya at Riihimäki, Kanta-Häme / Egentliga Tavastland Finland on Saturday, April 15, 2017

Released 6 yrs ago (4/15/2017 UTC) at Riihimäki, Kanta-Häme / Egentliga Tavastland Finland

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Off to next reader. I hope you'll enjoy!

Journal Entry 17 by wingFlower78wing at Kerava, Uusimaa / Nyland Finland on Thursday, April 20, 2017
Thanks a lot for the book, Ronya! Right now I'm reading the very first Isabel Dalhousie book and like it a lot, so I'm happy to have also the next books here at home.

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