Looking forward to this one since I have seen it all over the place!

U.S. Bookring ~
Please PM me if you would like to join, or you have contacted me and your name is missing!

Members so far:

1. pammykn (FL)
2. grover3d (WV)
3. jennyscott (NC)
4. aannddee (MN)
5. savannahblue (OR)
6. Mom-of-one (PN)
7. beachglass (CA)
8. Tamster33 (CA) <---Currently Residing :)
9. baaic (IA)
10. sleone (CA)
11. roadrunner (TX)
12. jendudley (TX)
13. CaptainJack (AZ)
14. Ebumu (NY)
Back to me - RlyLv2Rd (MN)

Well, here it is, my first bookring. I am starting with the oh so popular "The Kalahari Typing School for Men." This is my first book of the series to read, and it wasn't a problem to get into the story without having the background of reading the other three. The story is a very light and quick read. My mom had given me this book so I had to call her after reading it and ask (oh so naively) "Why she thinks this series is so hugely popular?" It wasn't that it was a bad book, it's just that I am kind of at a loss as to why it has struck a chord with so many. The writing is extremely simplistic and the plot a bit predictable. Even the characters speak in elementary tones. I am not sure if it is the language barrier between writer and interpreter, a clever ploy by the author to construct a story that can be enjoyed by all ages, or some sort of literary simplification. My mom replied that it is one of those books you read so you don't have to think...a book that sort of takes you away with little else but to amuse. She said she enjoyed the cultural undertones and the hints at differing lifestyles and mindsets of the characters. Not sure I got that much from it, but maybe I am just one of the unenlightened. I am still not sure what I think, but I am curious to read more...so the author must be doing something right ;)! I hope you all enjoy it!

Sending to pammykn Thursday April 28th!

This book is now part of a bookring! Thanks Eucalia...I plagarized your bookring info as it was very informative and well written.

A bookring is when a book is sent from one person to another through a list of members who have signed up for it and eventually ends up safe and sound back home with the person who started the bookring—me!

Here are the guidelines for this bookring:

1. When the person before you on the list is done reading the book they will send you a personal message (PM) asking you for your address. If you feel that you are too busy at that time to read the book within a reasonable time period (about 1 month), ask that person to skip you and go to the next person on the list. If this happens, PM me to let me know what’s going on and, if you want, I may be able to move you down the list so you can try again later.

2. When you receive the book, make a journal entry letting everyone know where the book is. Keep in mind that there are other people waiting to read the book after you, so try not to take too long to read it. A general rule of thumb is to have the book in your possession for no longer than one month. If you know you won’t be able to get to the book within a month, pass it on to the next person on the list, PM me letting me know, and I can move you down the list so you can try again later if you’d like. If you’re reading the book and it’s taking you longer than expected to finish, make a journal entry letting everyone know! Remember, there’s no such thing as too many journal entries.

3. When you’re done (or almost done) reading the book, send a PM to the next person on the list asking for their address. Even if you think you already know that person’s address, it’s a good idea to double-check to make sure their address hasn’t changed—and also make sure the list order hasn’t changed since you checked it last. If the next person on the list doesn’t respond to your PM within several days, try again. If you still get no response within one week, PM me to let me know what’s going on and then skip this person and try the next person on the list.

4. After you’ve finished the book, journal a quick review of it for us letting us know what you thought of it!

5. Send the book to the next person on the list and post a journal entry letting everyone know it’s on its way. Sit back, relax, and watch the journals as the book completes its journey!

Released on Thursday, April 29, 2004 at Fellow BookCrosser in Postal release, Postal Release Controlled Releases.

Off to pammykn...

Thanks for sending -- will be reading this weekend and getting it off to the next person on the list. Looking forward to it!

Another delightful read by McCall Smith. I really enjoy these books -- so refreshing. Yes, they are written in a very simple manner but the characters shine through w/ not only their kind and humble personalities but their mindful and soulful way of sorting out problems. This entry dealt a bit more w/ assistant detective Mma Matkusi and it was lovely to get to know her. I've contacted grover3d and will be sending off when I hear from her. Thanks again for including me on this bookray.

Sending to grover3d 05/10.

What a wonderful tradition! Pammy knows how much I like purple, so she replaced this one especially for me. I'll use my days of reading to also search for a good substitute - thanks for sharing!

These books are always so wonderful and comforting...great cozy reads, with the bonus of Smith's wonderful descriptions of Botswana....every time I read one of these, I'm ready to hop the next plane!

Thanks so much for sharing this!

DC# - 0302 0980 0001 2033 0904

Just got this in the mail today. There was also a little surprise with it, how neat. Journal more soon.

6-11-04----Starting this today. I have read others of the series and really enjoyed them.

I find this series very readable and simply inciteful with unforgetable characters. Loved it, loved it, loved it.

I have been trying for three days to record receiving this book, but was unable to connect to the site.

I am looking forward to reading this, and will begin it this weekend.

Thanks for sending this on.....

rec'd in the mail today. i've read the first two, am nearly done with number three, then on to this one. these are wonderful books - thanks for sharing!

sorry to be a slow poke - it's the beginning of september, and i'm a teacher as well as mom of two small children. . .just a wee bit busy!!

love this series, now i have to wait for the newest one to come out in paperback. thanks for sharing!

will pm the next reader.

no response from mom-of-one after 2 pms, so i'm sending a pm to beachglass. . .

RELEASE NOTES:

sending this one on its way to beachglass. enjoy!

Just received in the mail today. I'll read it as soon as I finish the library book I'm currently reading.
:-)

Another enjoyable read by Smith...I love these characters, and am always sad to see the books end.
Thanks RlyLv2Rd for starting this Bookring and for letting me know that you were!
:-)
PM'ing Tamster33 now for address...

Mailed to Tamster33 on Saturday, December 18th....sorry for the delay!

This one seems to be another casulty of the USPS...If anyone has an info, will you please PM me with an update. Sorry for the delay, hopefully it will turn up again.

Update on Status ~
Message received from Tamster33 regarding last known status of early December:

Hello RlyLv2Rd,

Yes, I've received it. Sorry I haven't journaled lately. I'm working on a
home project of decluttering and setting up systems, so my bookcrossing
system is in the works to get revamped. I will be reading it soon.
Thanks for checking in. You can rest easy now on this one :)

Tamster33
http://www.bookcrossing.com/mybookshelf/Tamster33
Thanks for the update Tamster33, and maybe this one will get moving along again quickly.

Another Update ~

http://www.bookcrossing.com/sendmessage/Tamster33/reply
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello RlyLv2Rd,

I'm currently on vacation and not near the book. I know exactly where it
is and I'll send it off when I get back. Should be back on the road by
mid-July. Sorry about that.

Tamster33
http://www.bookcrossing.com/mybookshelf/Tamster33

Another update from Tamster33 on the status of the book ~

Hi,

Sorry it's taken me so long - my internet has been spotty since I moved and at this point, I am at the library just to check my email because I haven't been able to get on in about 2 weeks. Anyway, I just received an address, so I'll mail it out this weekend. Thanks for your patience. Sorry to be such a pain.

First of all, I want to apologize profusely for keeping this book so long. I have many reasons (laid off, moved, computer problems, etc.), but really I meant to send it months ago.

On the bright side, this book has traveled with me - on my move from San Francisco to Ventura and on my vacation from Los Angeles to Pawley's Island, SC. Unfortunately, I never got around to reading it although I really wanted to.

I have finally sent it (today via media mail) on to IA (the next person on the list) where I hope it can get moving again.

I do plan to find a copy of this book to read (probably at the library), since I've loved the rest of the series. I will post my thoughts when I'm done.

sorry again...

Received quite some time ago. Sorry I took so long to journal, but stress, both familial and academic, have kept me from the bookcrossing site.

I did read the book, and I found it's storytelling style, if not engrossing, a very soothing way of looking at the world. It was a breath of fresh air. Thanks for starting this ring.