9 journalers for this copy...
|
Journal Entry 1 by  chamonix44 from Almelo, Overijssel Netherlands on Monday, November 01, 2010
 I had just come back from the Intensive Care Unit in the local hospital after "visiting" my friend, (who has lain in an induced coma for 4 weeks), and I was feeling very down, when "Ernest Hemmingway" approached me, after leaning his bike against our fence! I must explain that "Ernest Hemmingway" is our postman. I have no idea what his real name is, but this is what I call him, and there is a reason why. He once talked to me and asked me if I like reading since I receive a lot of books through the post. I told him I read constantly and he said that he also likes to read. His favourite author is Ernest Hemmingway. I told him that that the next time I get an Ernest Hemmingway book in Dutch I will save it for him. Then he told me he prefers to read them in English. So I thought to myself, OK, I will try to get some for him the next time I go to England and look around the charity shops there. So, since I forget author's names very quickly, I decided that I would think of the postman as Ernest Hemmingway from now on. Then I will remember the name!
Anyway...Ernest approached me and told me that he had earlier seen a parcel delivery man knocking at my door, and he had a book shaped package in his hand. I wasn't in, so he had gone to a neighbour and left it there. I thanked him, and went to the neighbour who handed me this heavy package. I knew immediately that it was "Crossing Paths". It had a customs form on the outside, but luckily at the post depot they had covered most of the form with a big sticker with our post code on it! (I had been worried about having to pay customs on it)! So I had nothing to pay! The neighbour asked me if I had been ordering bricks or something! I could see why....as this book is indeed very heavy!
The arrival of this book, (and another small package which Ernest delivered), cheered me up immensely. I really am so very happy to have this book in my possession. I must thank Debbie, the author for all her forum posts giving info over the book and for her help which resulted in my being able to get it. I have started to read it already, and I have, so far, been really impressed that Debbie has used some real Bookcrossers' names. I love the journal entries that appear in this book. If only we could all write journal entries like this. These days I always try to make my own journal entries and release entries sound interesting and friendly, as I'm sure it makes a lot of difference to a finder on how they view the book that they found! The story in this book has definitely drawn me in. It is not a book I can carry around with me in my handbag, but I will read more of it every time I have a spare moment at home!
Anyway, watch this space for a book review in the near future!
|
|
|
Journal Entry 2 by chamonix44 at Almelo, Overijssel Netherlands on Sunday, November 14, 2010
I finished reading this novel yesterday. It is such a big, heavy book that it took me almost two weeks to read. In the book, Jane and the other main characters find Bookcrossing books wherever they go, and it doesn't seem to matter which countries they are in, either, as the books just keep on turning up wherever they go!! If only it were really like that. I think Jane was far too deep and serious, and it showed in the books that she read. With so many Bookcrossing books turning up, it's strange that she never once found a chick-lit book to cheer her up a bit. (If she did, would she have read it?). How on earth did all these characters in the book manage to read the books, that they found, so quickly? After Jane left her late aunt's appartment, she was travelling around for 3 long months with just a small suitcase and a backpack, and then in the end, just a backpack, (and some of the room was taken up with books). How on earth did she manage clothes-wise for 3 months? I suppose we are not supposed to think about those details.
It is an entertaining story really, as the characters don't seem to use the Bookcrossing forums, yet they all link up in the end, just by reading and writing journal entries, and a couple of PMs. For some of them, Bookcrossing was like a dating club! I really enjoyed this book as the story drew me in, and I didn't want to put the book down.....but I had to because it was so heavy to hold! I am so glad that I had a chance to read it.
I think Debbie did a good job, especially with all the diverse characters in the book intermingling eventually! If anything, this book has made me want to write more thoughtful journal entries and release notes for my own books. I am now going to start a European bookring with this book.
|
|
|
Journal Entry 3 by chamonix44 at Almelo, Overijssel Netherlands on Friday, December 03, 2010
This book is ready to start its journey as a Bookring.
Bookring(info as taken from site FAQ's):
- Person #1 has a book to share and posts notice of a bookring in the Bookring and Ray forum. Interested parties will PM her, and a bookring begins. The book is mailed to Person #2 along with a list of everyone in the ring--without including anyone’s mailing address (for privacy reasons). When Person 2 receives the book, he PM’s Person 3 for his/her address, reads the book as quickly as possible, and mails it off. Two to four weeks has become the standard for keeping a book.
My personal suggestion is that if you need it longer than that, you a)let the founder of the ring know, and/or b) send it to the next person, unread, and request that your name be added to the end of the list when you may have more time.
Person #3 repeats the cycle. Eventually, the book returns to the original owner.
Here is the list of participants in this ring:
(EU/UK from chamonix44)
bookguide Netherlands (EU/UK)
laure69 France (EU preferred)
GronnLivsstil Norway (Intl)----asked to be skipped
Star69 UK (Intl)----has now been moved down the list
silvia-pco Portugal (EU preferred) (will read at a later date)
Plum-crazy UK (UK/EU preferred)
Vekiki UK (UK preferred)Vekiki asked to be skipped
Lydiasbooks UK (UK preferred)
seayork2002 UK (UK preferred)Skipped. Now lives in Australia
Miss Markey UK (UK preferred)
ReetPetite UK (Intl)
Star69 UK (Intl)....asked to be skipped
Luanalara Germany (EU preferred).....with this reader now
bestfriends Belgium (Belgium/Netherlands preferred)
BoekenTrol Netherlands
and back to chamonix44. :)
Click hereLink to Bookring thread in forum.
|
|
|
Journal Entry 4 by chamonix44 at Wijchen, Gelderland Netherlands on Friday, December 03, 2010
Released 1 yr ago (12/3/2010 UTC) at Wijchen, Gelderland Netherlands CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
I posted the book today to bookguide. I have enclosed a list of the bookcrossers mentioned in the book, and a list of the books that are also mentioned. I have also taped a list of the bookring participants inside. It's a quick way to see where it has been before you and where it is going next. (Please don't cross through the names, as I'd like it to still be there when I get the book back, for my own reference). Bookguide I think I may have forgotten to remove your name from the bottom of the list, even though I put it at the top. So could you Tippex that out or just put a line through it? Thank you. I hope it will be with you soon, and that you will enjoy it. I'll be interested in everyone's reviews on the book, after reading. It certainly inspired me to try and write more meaningful journal entries in books!
Release Challenges:
This book was released as part of the following challenges in the Bookcrossing Release Challenges forum:
1)'What's In A Name challenge Dec 1-Dec 31'
2)'D for December'
|
|
|
Journal Entry 5 by bookguide at Wijchen, Gelderland Netherlands on Tuesday, December 07, 2010
It was a cold and frosty lunchtime. Debbie Robson had just put a message on Facebook to say that the first review of the book had been put on Amazon, and Bookguide had replied that the European ring book was on its way. Just then the doorbell rang, and a heavy and well-wrapped package was handed over by the shivering delivery guy, too young to be a man, and yet no longer a boy. Struggling to open the well-wrapped parcel, Bookguide eventually managed to free the book from its bonds of bubble-wrap and sellotape. Having skimmed through the list of Bookcrossers mentioned, she recognised many familiar screen names from the forum, only two of whom she had met in person, and several of whom she also had as Facebook or Goodreads friends. What unsuspected information would the novel reveal about their fictionalised personae?
For the next enthralling episode, you will have to wait until Bookguide has read 'Crossing Paths' and made her Journal Entry. Until then, the book will be "crossing paths" with the shelf full of other books received from Bookcrossers far and wide.
Thank you, Chamonix44 for wrapping it so well, and for the handy list of references. Thanks also for the lovely reindeer and Father Christmas card; my second Christmas card this year;-)
Edit 4th Jan 2010: Debbie liked one of the Crossing Paths books on Facebook, and the JEs are wonderful: http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/8376444
|
|
|
Journal Entry 6 by bookguide at Wijchen, Gelderland Netherlands on Friday, January 07, 2011
I did enjoy 'Crossing Paths', but for me, it didn't catch the joy of Bookcrossing as I experience it. For me, the forums, the meetings and the bookrings are what really bring Bookcrossing alive, together with the fact that many people continue to connect and learn about each other through social networks such as LiveJournal, Facebook and GoodReads, as well as various Yahoo groups, etc.
Of course, the people in 'Crossing Paths' take their involvement with each other to a whole new level, particularly considering that two sets of people conduct their whirlwind romances on opposite sides of the world. It was refreshing to read about romance between two older people, but in particular between two gay men, Darknight and Fairlights . The whole premise of people falling in love without having met would have seemed ludicrous to me a few short years ago, and yet since I have been active on internet forums, I have met several couples who have met through a mutual internet group or online game. Likewise, I have met people who have fallen head-over-heels in love with each other after a mere glimpse of their future partner, so Jane and Jeremy's instant attraction does not seem impossible.
to be continued tomorrow!... Or sometime later(Feb. 8th), and I'm afraid I haven't really got much more to say. I thought that I had a piece of paper with some more notes, but if I had, I can't find it any more. As others have said, the catch rate in this book is somewhat optimistic, but who wants to read about the ones we never hear from again? I do try to leave books in appropriate places, but I haven't yet gone so far as to plan a whole trip on this basis. It could be done, though. How often do we read a book and say we'd love to go to the place it was set, and if you could buy one of those nifty tickets which Skyring uses to travel the world, and an Interrail ticket for Europe, you too could travel the globe to fit in some themed releases, and maybe meet the man of your dreams. Stranger things have happened...
|
|
|
Journal Entry 7 by bookguide at Wijchen, Gelderland Netherlands on Tuesday, February 08, 2011
Released 1 yr ago (2/9/2011 UTC) at Wijchen, Gelderland Netherlands CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
I won't catch the post today, but 'Crossing Paths' will be making its way to Laure69 tomorrow.
This book has been released as part of the following BookCrossing challenges:
- The Ultimate Challenge - read and release books, with extra points for a monthly theme
- Pages Read Challenge - read a self-set target number of pages in 2011. My goal is 25,000.
|
|
|
Journal Entry 8 by laure69 at Paris, Ile-de-France France on Friday, March 04, 2011
The book arrived yesterday. Thank you.
|
|
|
Journal Entry 9 by laure69 at Paris, Ile-de-France France on Sunday, March 20, 2011
What would I thing of that if I weren't a BC ? All these coincidences, meeting people and books found. Think I couldn't catch a single book totally by chance in more than five years ! OK it's often like that in literature.
About the story itself, many things that usually (and this time too) put my nerves on edge :
- 600 pages just to know whether they're going to get married
- The Thing that happened during childhood, is remembered only today and explains everything
- the wise woman who has visions and knows everything
- three matching pairs : one young, one older and one gay. So politically correct.
I don't like the main character. It's incredible how unhappy people feel allowed to do what they want with other people's feelings. And when they're beautiful they find everybody willing to help however they behave. And it's incredible what this man was ready to do for a nice girl he saw once or twice. Better not be ugly when you're in pain.
Using BC was a good idea nonetheless.
Gronnlivsstil and star69 asked to be skipped. The book is leaving for silvia-pco tomorrow.
|
|
|
Journal Entry 10 by silvia-pco at Murtosa, Aveiro Portugal on Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Wow, this is a big one :) I have a few books ahead of it but I'll try to stick with the deadlines. I'll let you know if I need a little bit more time. Thanks for sharing!
|
|
|
Journal Entry 11 by silvia-pco at Murtosa, Aveiro Portugal on Thursday, July 07, 2011
This is quite a big book, and I wasn't able to read it yet; it will continue its journey as chamonix44 requested, and hopefully when it reaches the final reader I will have more time to give it a second try.
|
|
|
Journal Entry 12 by  Plum-crazy at Brighouse, West Yorkshire United Kingdom on Monday, July 25, 2011
Arrived back from my hols to find this whopper of a bookring waiting for me. Will make a start on it asap but as it's quite a weighty tome it won't be getting carried around in my handbag (don't think it will fit!) so it may take me a little longer to get through it as it will be a read-at-home book!
Will Pm next on the list now so there's no hold ups :o)
Edit: Vekiki has asked to be skipped so moving onto lydiasbooks
|
|
|
Journal Entry 13 by Plum-crazy at Brighouse, West Yorkshire United Kingdom on Monday, August 01, 2011
Okay, I've finished this mammoth read & am wondering what to put without echoing the previous JE's with which on the whole I agree. So in brief:
I didn't warm to Jane....or even Ali or Sarah!...& didn't really understand the hold she seemed to have over Jeremy. Romances seemed to flourish quickly with the characters prepared to fly across the world to meet someone they had exchanged only a couple of PMs with. Is it realistic? Well, it's never, & it's not going to happen to me (happily married!) but I like the thought that for others it might.
The books journalled all seemed so serious to me, I know Jane had issues & the books she released tied in with her mood but surely she could have found one book that was on the lighter side.
I did like the fact that real bookcrossers names were used but irritatingly I found myself continually referring to the sheet (albeit very handy) to check which ones were"real". But while the JE's were all connected to different bookcrossers, and this probably sounds picky, for me they all had the same sombre, staid tone to them....I'd have liked more variation in style. I think thats the only thing I didn't agree with in chamonix44's JE.
Overall, I enjoyed the book though it was slightly too long (thank goodness she had only 8 books to release!) & I think it's very much a bookcrossers book - not sure what a non-BCer would make of it all. I'm very glad I've read it, so thanks to chamonix44 for organising the ring & a big round of applause for Debbie - well done!
Read as part of the 2011 ULTIMATE CHALLENGE (#100)
Still awaiting address from lydiasbooks - will PM again & I might go back over "The Door in the Wall" while I wait as I didn't always give those extracts my full attention!
|
|
|
Journal Entry 14 by Plum-crazy at sent by mail, Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, August 03, 2011
Released 10 mos ago (8/3/2011 UTC) at sent by mail, Bookring -- Controlled Releases CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
 On it's way to Lydiasbooks......
|
|
|
Journal Entry 15 by Lydiasbooks at Tottenham, Greater London United Kingdom on Friday, September 23, 2011
Sorry for the delay! Reading it now. Been loaded up with bookrings and library books. The book is safe and will hopefully be on its way again soon.
|
|
|
Journal Entry 16 by Lydiasbooks at Tottenham, Greater London United Kingdom on Thursday, September 29, 2011
There were many things that bothered me about this book, particularly these:
1. The length. 600 pages may not be a problem for a bestselling page-turner, or if the reader is a big fan of the author of the book. Otherwise, more than 400 pages is too much.
2. The improbability of events. Obviously this is fiction, not real life, and therefore some lack of resemblance to reality is a reasonable expectation. But no semblance of reality at all, in a book that isn't science fiction? That's a problem, and likely to make less determined readers than I give up reading. Although BookCrossing is a great site and many people including myself have made friends through it, not many have found partners across the world and fallen in love straight off. Nor have we found BookCrossing books released everywhere we go, and friendly fellow BookCrossers worrying about us and following us around the world. It's just not happening. Except in this book.
3. Inaccuracies. Ealing is West London, not East.
It's mostly those. There are more inaccuracies specifically related to BookCrossing, but I will leave those for others to moan about. Apart from all this, I found that something kept me turning the pages and persevering to finish the book. I did like some of the characters despite the unlikely things they did, and wanted to see what would happen to them. I just wish this author had left others to write instead of writing herself. Sorry if that seems unduly harsh, but that's how I feel.
Ready to pass it on, waiting on a reply from seayork2002 who is no longer in the UK/ EU. May need to skip them.
|
|
|
Journal Entry 17 by  MissMarkey at Harwell, Oxfordshire United Kingdom on Sunday, October 16, 2011
Received today. Have been wanting to read this book as I feature in it. Did pick it up at the 2011 Convention in Washington but it was too heavy for my luggage (on account of all the other books I'd already picked up!) and I decided to put it back on the Book Buffet.
Thank you. I'll try not to be too long with it although it is a pretty long book. Thanks for starting the bookring.
|
|
|
Journal Entry 18 by MissMarkey at Harwell, Oxfordshire United Kingdom on Sunday, February 19, 2012
Not my style and way too heavy - literally I mean!
Off to the next person on the list and that's ReetPetite.
|
|
|
Journal Entry 19 by ReetPetite at Beeston, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Arrived safely. Thanks MissMarkey.
|
|
|
Journal Entry 20 by ReetPetite at Beeston, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom on Monday, April 23, 2012
I liked the mass release of Agatha Christie books & the guy running after the Bookcrosser saying 'you've left your book'. I didn't have a problem with remembering the characters but it would have been nice to have the date in the chapter to make it easier to relate to the JE's.
Good read. Thanks chamonix44.
I've PMed Star69.
|
|
|
Journal Entry 21 by ReetPetite at Beeston, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom on Monday, April 23, 2012
Star69 wants to be skipped so I've PMed Luanalara
|
|
|
Journal Entry 22 by Luanalara at Erkelenz, Nordrhein-Westfalen Germany on Thursday, May 03, 2012
Arrived yesterday! :) You can see that this book has already travelled quite a bit. I'm looking forward to reading it. Thank you for the ring, Chamonix44!
|
|
Crossing Paths - the BookCrossing novel
