Bill Bryson's African Diary
Registered by Kernow8 of Southampton, Hampshire United Kingdom on 4/5/2004
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
20 journalers for this copy...
To be read by myself and husband, then sent out on hopefully a giant fund-raising bookring! I plan to donate $1 ($5, $10? - I haven't decided yet!) per journaller to Care International, the charity to whom all royalties and profits from sales of this book go.
Finished reading in mid December. A nice idea, but way too short. It barely seemed to scrape the surface. On the plus side, it doesn't take very long to read, so I suppose the thinking behind it was to make it accessible to many people who wouldn't normally have the time or inclination to read longer books. I'm still trying to work out how to share it, and how to make sure Care International continue to benefit. I'll certainly make a donation myself and then will probably now release this in the wild, and hope to make a further donation for each new journaller.
Update 14th March 2006: I've just spotted labmomnm's bookray announcement in the forum - and have been prompted to put my money where my mouth is. I have therefore donated £25 for myself and £5 for labmomnm, and will donate a further £5 whenever a new new journaller makes an entry. I've chosen to donate via the UK website of Care International.
Update 1st April 2006: Another £15 donated to Care International, representing 3 new journallers (thegoaliegirl, Alvhyttan and Beekeeper40 ). Fantastic!
Update 20th October 2006: Goodness me - what a lot of catching up to do (this is definitely something to do in small bites rather than wait until there are several journallers to catch up on!). Anyway, another £50 has gone to Care tonight, to keep me up to date with the following journallers: rosiewhippet, weesisj, samulli, keksi2, Mickey81, em64, bookreadera, Karenlea, Psyche, gomboggit.
Update 9th December 2008: It's been a while since I last did this, so I'd better catch up. Another £25 to Care today, to account for: BigKat, Thursday5, alice2623663, merimag, -JAFFA-. The book appears to have been left in the wild now - Monkey World, not far down the road from me strangely enough - so it'll be interesting to see what happens now...
Update 14th March 2006: I've just spotted labmomnm's bookray announcement in the forum - and have been prompted to put my money where my mouth is. I have therefore donated £25 for myself and £5 for labmomnm, and will donate a further £5 whenever a new new journaller makes an entry. I've chosen to donate via the UK website of Care International.
Update 1st April 2006: Another £15 donated to Care International, representing 3 new journallers (thegoaliegirl, Alvhyttan and Beekeeper40 ). Fantastic!
Update 20th October 2006: Goodness me - what a lot of catching up to do (this is definitely something to do in small bites rather than wait until there are several journallers to catch up on!). Anyway, another £50 has gone to Care tonight, to keep me up to date with the following journallers: rosiewhippet, weesisj, samulli, keksi2, Mickey81, em64, bookreadera, Karenlea, Psyche, gomboggit.
Update 9th December 2008: It's been a while since I last did this, so I'd better catch up. Another £25 to Care today, to account for: BigKat, Thursday5, alice2623663, merimag, -JAFFA-. The book appears to have been left in the wild now - Monkey World, not far down the road from me strangely enough - so it'll be interesting to see what happens now...
Sent to labmomnm this morning - she accepted it after I offered it in PokPok's excellent non-fiction virtual book box.
Arrived in the mail - thanks, Kernow8! I'm joining your Care International plan....what a great idea! I think I'll offer this as a bookray once I've read it - maybe we can get a lot of journallers.
9 March '06 - This finally clawed its way to the top of the stack this morning; I read it on the way to work (it *is* really short!). Very nice surface-piece, as kernow8 said. Oh, and I love his flying sagas....I hate planes, too. *Shudder*. You can donate on-line to CARE. I'm sending $25 (US) for myself and will go $5 per journaller after me. Am going to offer this as a ray. Thanks for sharing!
Oh, and there is a sister ray for this book being run by Ebumu.
Shipping order:
thegoaliegirl (OH, USA)
Alvhyttan (Sweden)
Beekeeper40 (UK) international OK
rosiewhippet (UK)
weesisj (UK) international OK
samulli (Germany) shipping w/in Europe OK
keksi2 (Germany) prefers shipping w/in Europe, but will go international
Mickey81 (Italy)
em64 (Finland) international OK
bookreadera (PA) international OK
PRCS (USA) w/in North America
Karenlea (USA) international OK
-Psyche- (USA) USA shipping
gomboggit (OR) international OK
BigKat (WA) international OK
Thursday5 (OH)
c-a-m (Australia) cannot ship out of country
alice2623663 (Australia) international OK (my hero!)
xanapeq (UK) shipping w/in Europe
merimag (UK) international OK
-JAFFA- (UK) wants to be last
9 March '06 - This finally clawed its way to the top of the stack this morning; I read it on the way to work (it *is* really short!). Very nice surface-piece, as kernow8 said. Oh, and I love his flying sagas....I hate planes, too. *Shudder*. You can donate on-line to CARE. I'm sending $25 (US) for myself and will go $5 per journaller after me. Am going to offer this as a ray. Thanks for sharing!
Oh, and there is a sister ray for this book being run by Ebumu.
Shipping order:
thegoaliegirl (OH, USA)
Alvhyttan (Sweden)
Beekeeper40 (UK) international OK
rosiewhippet (UK)
weesisj (UK) international OK
samulli (Germany) shipping w/in Europe OK
keksi2 (Germany) prefers shipping w/in Europe, but will go international
Mickey81 (Italy)
em64 (Finland) international OK
bookreadera (PA) international OK
PRCS (USA) w/in North America
Karenlea (USA) international OK
-Psyche- (USA) USA shipping
gomboggit (OR) international OK
BigKat (WA) international OK
Thursday5 (OH)
c-a-m (Australia) cannot ship out of country
alice2623663 (Australia) international OK (my hero!)
xanapeq (UK) shipping w/in Europe
merimag (UK) international OK
-JAFFA- (UK) wants to be last
Received this book today from labmomnm. Can't wait to read it and pass it on! It looks nice and short. A quick, easy read. :) Thanks!
This was a nice short book that really gave a nice glimpse of what CARE is doing in Africa. With that said, it was almost too short. I could have read a lot more. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Thanks!
Mailed to Alvhyttan today via global priority mail. Should arrive early next week. Hope you'll enjoy this little book!
Just arrived to me in Sweden, those Global Priority Mail envelopes are great!
Thank you thegoaliegirl for sending it to me and thank you for the nice pic of Mt. Rainier, sounds like we have some geo in common or should I say we have the opposite experiences; you have visited Sweden and I have visited Seattle and Mt. Rainer.
This book looks really nice and has only about 50 pages so I guess it’s a quick read and I will soon be sending it to the next person in line.
Thank you labmomnm for organizing this ray!
Thank you thegoaliegirl for sending it to me and thank you for the nice pic of Mt. Rainier, sounds like we have some geo in common or should I say we have the opposite experiences; you have visited Sweden and I have visited Seattle and Mt. Rainer.
This book looks really nice and has only about 50 pages so I guess it’s a quick read and I will soon be sending it to the next person in line.
Thank you labmomnm for organizing this ray!
Before I read this little book I did wonder how this funny writer, Bryson, had managed to write a book about the awful situations that the organisation CARE must meet every day.
Well, I did not appreciate all the jokes; I do think it is difficult to joke about death and misery. Of course we can also use our humour to deal with our agony and if those jokes help people to read about CARE’s work, then it’s OK for me.
Bryson do tell a little about the problems in Kenya and he also let us meet some people that are very happy because they have gotten help from CARE.
I guess this book reach a lot more people, with information about CARE, because it is written by a well known author and in an easy, humorous way. So let’s hope that this little book helps to contribute to a wider understanding about the situation in the world.
And it is a reminder for us that we can do something.
I will keep up my commitment of sending money to Save the Children and to PLAN every month. And I will also continue to look for children’s books to send to Africa.
Thank you labmomnm for sharing this book!
Tomorrow it will be posted for Beekeeper40.
Well, I did not appreciate all the jokes; I do think it is difficult to joke about death and misery. Of course we can also use our humour to deal with our agony and if those jokes help people to read about CARE’s work, then it’s OK for me.
Bryson do tell a little about the problems in Kenya and he also let us meet some people that are very happy because they have gotten help from CARE.
I guess this book reach a lot more people, with information about CARE, because it is written by a well known author and in an easy, humorous way. So let’s hope that this little book helps to contribute to a wider understanding about the situation in the world.
And it is a reminder for us that we can do something.
I will keep up my commitment of sending money to Save the Children and to PLAN every month. And I will also continue to look for children’s books to send to Africa.
Thank you labmomnm for sharing this book!
Tomorrow it will be posted for Beekeeper40.
Received safely today from Sweden.
I have loved everything I have read by Bill Bryson and this short little book was no exception. It was interesting as my son is off to Kenya in July and will be travelling on the infamous Mombasa to Nairobi Railway!!
Journal Entry 12 by beekeeper40 at to a fellow bookcrosser in book ring/ray, By Mail/Post/Courier -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, April 5, 2006
Released 18 yrs ago (4/5/2006 UTC) at to a fellow bookcrosser in book ring/ray, By Mail/Post/Courier -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
On its way to Rosiewhippet!
On its way to Rosiewhippet!
Journal Entry 13 by rosiewhippet from Fenstanton, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom on Saturday, April 8, 2006
Have received the book safe and sound and will probably start it tomorrow.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Journal Entry 14 by rosiewhippet from Fenstanton, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom on Saturday, April 8, 2006
Was quite insightful and had many insightful facts...However I would have thought that it might have a bit more about CARE. Nevertheless a lovely little quick read that I read in the bath!! Good to see the the publishers didn't make any profit and Bill isn't making any royalties on it. Fantastic.Thanks for that. I will be forwarding it on as soon as I have an address and as part of the '2006 Keep them Moving'
Rosiewhippet. x
Journal Entry 15 by rosiewhippet from Fenstanton, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Will be mailing it onto weesisj today. Enjoy!
Journal Entry 16 by rosiewhippet at Controlled Release in -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Released 18 yrs ago (4/11/2006 UTC) at Controlled Release in -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Will be sending it onto weesisj
Will be sending it onto weesisj
Got the wee book last week and read it quickly. As already pointed out by others it could have gone a bit deeper into the issues of Africa (or better Kenya in particular) and the works of CARE. I give it 9 points for the fact that all royalties and profits go to Care International.
Book will be posted on as soon as I have got the next person's address. Thanks for this bookring!
Book will be posted on as soon as I have got the next person's address. Thanks for this bookring!
The book arrived here today. I had totally forgotten about joining this bookring, so it was a nice surprise.
It really looks thin enough to read it in half an hour or so, so I probably will just read it on my way to work tomorrow. ;-)
It really looks thin enough to read it in half an hour or so, so I probably will just read it on my way to work tomorrow. ;-)
Hm, as I expected I've read it in no time. As usual I liked Brysons writing style very much. And I don't think he made too many jokes.
I appreciate the good intention behind making this book but I wish the people responsible would have thought it through a bit better before actually publishing it like it is. It is WAY TOO THIN. It is neither a typical Bryson-book nor a good introduction to Care International. Not everybody has the means to check up in the internet about the organization and not everybody knows Bill Bryson and would buy the book just because of his name.
So I have to say I was quite disappointed by the book itself, but nevertheless impressed (more or less against my will) by the work of CI.
I will not donate any money, firstly because I don't have any to spare at the moment and secondly because as a matter of principle I only donate to animal welfare organizations. But I ordered 3 copies of the book from Amazon and will give them to libraries in my own and neighbouring towns so lots of other people will have the chance to read the book as well and hopefully some of them will feel compelled to donate.
Thanks to Kernow8 and labmomnm for setting up this bookray.
I will send the book off to keksi2 this afternoon.
I appreciate the good intention behind making this book but I wish the people responsible would have thought it through a bit better before actually publishing it like it is. It is WAY TOO THIN. It is neither a typical Bryson-book nor a good introduction to Care International. Not everybody has the means to check up in the internet about the organization and not everybody knows Bill Bryson and would buy the book just because of his name.
So I have to say I was quite disappointed by the book itself, but nevertheless impressed (more or less against my will) by the work of CI.
I will not donate any money, firstly because I don't have any to spare at the moment and secondly because as a matter of principle I only donate to animal welfare organizations. But I ordered 3 copies of the book from Amazon and will give them to libraries in my own and neighbouring towns so lots of other people will have the chance to read the book as well and hopefully some of them will feel compelled to donate.
Thanks to Kernow8 and labmomnm for setting up this bookray.
I will send the book off to keksi2 this afternoon.
Caught in the mail today - thanks samulli for sending the book and kernow8 and labmomnm for sharing :-)
This is the perfect size for reading on the train, so I´ll get started tomorrow on my way to work.
This is the perfect size for reading on the train, so I´ll get started tomorrow on my way to work.
I agree with what everyone said: it´s a great book, but it´s just way too short :-)
But then, Bryson´s trip was only a few days.
It´s good to know that buying the book helps support CARE´s work and I´ll follow samulli´s example and buy a couple of copies to share.
Sent to mickey82
But then, Bryson´s trip was only a few days.
It´s good to know that buying the book helps support CARE´s work and I´ll follow samulli´s example and buy a couple of copies to share.
Sent to mickey82
Received yesterday!
I really love Bill Bryson.
This is an interesting diary!
Thanks for the ray!
This is an interesting diary!
Thanks for the ray!
The book arrived yesterday, looks like a quick read so shouldn't take too long to finish.
A very quick and delightful reading, I could have read more about his trip to Kenya. Bryson has his very own style and all the characteristics are in even in this small book. The conversation before the trip was absolutely hilarious :-)And it also reminded us that what for us is a small amount of money, can make a big difference in another country.
I have bookreadera's address so I'll mail to her tomorrow.
I have bookreadera's address so I'll mail to her tomorrow.
The book was mailed this morning to bookreadera. Happy Reading!
arrived with a pile of books-I just looove summer.
I am pming for next address right away as this book is so small and I will get it out this week.
I am pming for next address right away as this book is so small and I will get it out this week.
I enjoyed this book. It was a nice, informative (and quick) read. I've now read all of Bryson's travel memoirs. I love his sense of humor. Thanks for adding me and I'm off to donate to CARE.
PRCS has asked to be skipped at this time (I almost skipped Karenlea as well, not quite sure how that happened.) Will post out as soon as I have an address.
posted out to Karenlea on 8/3/06
PRCS has asked to be skipped at this time (I almost skipped Karenlea as well, not quite sure how that happened.) Will post out as soon as I have an address.
posted out to Karenlea on 8/3/06
Caught!!! I have a few books ahead of it, but I should be able to read/finish it very soon. Thank you for sharing!!!
Fantastic book, but way too short!!! I felt like I was able to go on a thirty minute vacation. I really loved how he contrasts the poverty of Africa with the beauty of the country and it's people. The book is also a great motivator and call to action. It makes me realize how blessed my life really is and to try to not take basic things for granted.
I will be sending this book along as soon as I have the address of the next reader. Thank you to Labmommn for sharing!!!
I have Psyche's address and the book will be mailed out to her tomorrow. -9/22/06
I will be sending this book along as soon as I have the address of the next reader. Thank you to Labmommn for sharing!!!
I have Psyche's address and the book will be mailed out to her tomorrow. -9/22/06
Has arrived! I'll read and pass along shortly.
Journal Entry 32 by -Psyche- at A fellow bookcrosser in By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, October 8, 2006
Released 17 yrs ago (10/8/2006 UTC) at A fellow bookcrosser in By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
I will send this book on its way this week! The book is traveling with companions--a bookbox happened to come up to the next person in this ring at the same time, so off they will all go! Thanks for sharing this little book with us!
I will send this book on its way this week! The book is traveling with companions--a bookbox happened to come up to the next person in this ring at the same time, so off they will all go! Thanks for sharing this little book with us!
Received int the mail with a bookbox mailed by someone who has my maiden name. :) There is a postcard in the back addressed to Karen...maybe it was meant for Karenlea? Anyway I will begin reading this ASAP.
This was a nice little book. Not quite what I expected from Bill Bryson, but I guess there would not be a lot of humor or clever wit in a book about a poverty-stricken third world country. I did enjoy this, though.
I would like to know of Jillani Ngallas' fate, if he ever became a paleontologist, if the mention of his name in this book caused anyone to help him out.
I will PM the next in line. Thanks for including me in this.
Updated 10-30-06 Mailed today.
I would like to know of Jillani Ngallas' fate, if he ever became a paleontologist, if the mention of his name in this book caused anyone to help him out.
I will PM the next in line. Thanks for including me in this.
Updated 10-30-06 Mailed today.
Arrived safely in the mail today. I'll get to read a few pages before my husband comes home and immediately appropriates it. Fortunately, he reads fairly quickly so I'll get to read it myself soon. We're both looking forward to it as we've loved every Bryson book we've read.
I thought about doing two different journal entries one for my husband and one for me but it seemed like too much work and too confusing. As I predicted he got to it first, tucking it into his briefcase to go with him to the doctor's office when he got the cast off his broken hand. He gobbled it up in the waiting room. Like most readers he wanted it to be longer and was moved by the stories. His favorite though was the single engine plane when they all knew they were going to die. That had him laughing out loud.
After several days of riding around in his briefcase I managed to reclaim it so I could read it. I found a few spare moments in my over scheduled November and went for a visit to Kenya. CARE has always been one of my favorite charities and the visit just reinforced my reasons why. And to have Bill Bryson as a travel companion, that was wonderful. I love the way he looks at the world. Thank you for letting me participate in this ring. I can tell I'm going to have to get my own copy/copies and give it/them away.
Book will be off in the mail in a few days when I get a chance to go to the Post Office. November is the only month where finding a time to get to the PO is a problem so, of course, that's when my turn would come. I think there's a cosmic rule about things like that.
After several days of riding around in his briefcase I managed to reclaim it so I could read it. I found a few spare moments in my over scheduled November and went for a visit to Kenya. CARE has always been one of my favorite charities and the visit just reinforced my reasons why. And to have Bill Bryson as a travel companion, that was wonderful. I love the way he looks at the world. Thank you for letting me participate in this ring. I can tell I'm going to have to get my own copy/copies and give it/them away.
Book will be off in the mail in a few days when I get a chance to go to the Post Office. November is the only month where finding a time to get to the PO is a problem so, of course, that's when my turn would come. I think there's a cosmic rule about things like that.
Book arrived safe and sound in Ohio today. I've been looking forward to this book as I have enjoyed many of Bill Bryson's other books. I can start it today because I just finished anther bookring book yesterday-good timing!
I knew it wouldn't take long to read this book and I was right-I read it in one evening. My husband heard me laughing out loud and said, "must be the Byson book." The most profound place in the book for me was after Bryson had been to the refugee camp and reports this conversation on page 34 :
"But the kids I said. They have no future."
"I know," he said sadly. "I know."
But....the good news is they DO have a future.. and it is here in the school where I teach. The Columbus, Ohio metro area has the second largest Somolian population in the US and we have many students in my school who were born in that refugee camp and who now attend our wonderful suburban school where they are getting the best education that a progressive US suburban school district has to offer. We have special programs just for these students and they do have a future.
PM ing the next person on the list. If the cost for air mailling the book to Australia is reasonable I will send it that way, if it is too expensive I will send it by surface mail.
"But the kids I said. They have no future."
"I know," he said sadly. "I know."
But....the good news is they DO have a future.. and it is here in the school where I teach. The Columbus, Ohio metro area has the second largest Somolian population in the US and we have many students in my school who were born in that refugee camp and who now attend our wonderful suburban school where they are getting the best education that a progressive US suburban school district has to offer. We have special programs just for these students and they do have a future.
PM ing the next person on the list. If the cost for air mailling the book to Australia is reasonable I will send it that way, if it is too expensive I will send it by surface mail.
Journal Entry 39 by alice2623663 from Wollongong, New South Wales Australia on Tuesday, February 13, 2007
The book arrived safely today. Thanks. It looks like a nice quick read so I'll give it a go when I can.
Journal Entry 40 by alice2623663 from Wollongong, New South Wales Australia on Saturday, February 17, 2007
I was right, it was a nice quick read. I don't know what it is about Bryson, he's the only author with the ability to make me giggle out loud.
A family from our church have been missionaries in Nairobi for the past few years, and they come back every so often to have a break and give updates etc. The husband is a doctor and he has been working with women in particular, and they've set up card making to generate some income for women over there. Anyway, much of what Bryson experienced is very similar to what I'd already heard from the missionary friends. The descriptions of the slums is something that definetely sticks in my mind. It makes me very sad, particularly that when Bryson comments that the kids have no future. I'm going to donate some money to Care seeings as how I didn't purchase the book.
Thanks for the opportunity to read the book. I'll pm the next person now and send when I can.
A family from our church have been missionaries in Nairobi for the past few years, and they come back every so often to have a break and give updates etc. The husband is a doctor and he has been working with women in particular, and they've set up card making to generate some income for women over there. Anyway, much of what Bryson experienced is very similar to what I'd already heard from the missionary friends. The descriptions of the slums is something that definetely sticks in my mind. It makes me very sad, particularly that when Bryson comments that the kids have no future. I'm going to donate some money to Care seeings as how I didn't purchase the book.
Thanks for the opportunity to read the book. I'll pm the next person now and send when I can.
Journal Entry 41 by alice2623663 from Wollongong, New South Wales Australia on Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Oh my goodness, I''m so sorry. I found this under an enormous pile of books and realised that I''d forgotten to send it on! I''m such a bad bookcrosser. I''ll get onto sending it straight away.
Journal Entry 42 by merimag from Shrewsbury, Shropshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, February 13, 2008
This has arrived and, especially given its brevity, will be back on its way very soon!
I thought this was a wonderful attempt to do some fundraising for CARE. I too would have liked a lot more Bryson but appreciate that his style is perhaps not wholly appropriate for the subject matter. It went on its way yesterday...
Amusing, but short. I have not read any Bryson before but I think I will now. Thanks for sharing.
Journal Entry 46 by rem_-JAFFA- at Monkey World in Bovington, Dorset United Kingdom on Thursday, April 17, 2008
Released 16 yrs ago (4/17/2008 UTC) at Monkey World in Bovington, Dorset United Kingdom
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
