Me Talk Pretty One Day => WORLD WIDE BOOK RING !!!

Registered by Herrundmeyer of Heilbronn, Baden-Württemberg Germany on 2/13/2003
Buy from one of these Booksellers:
Amazon.com | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon DE | Amazon FR | Amazon IT | Bol.com
10 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by Herrundmeyer from Heilbronn, Baden-Württemberg Germany on Thursday, February 13, 2003
* If you'd like to join this bookring, please contact me. The ring is still open for participants from countries or US states that are not yet represented in the list below. Please make sure before getting in touch. Thanks!
I'm sending the book out to rubyblue on March 1. Once the book arrives at your place, please first journal its arrival, then PM the next person in line for their snail mail address. Then read and rate the book "correctly" (10 out of 10!) and send it on. This way I need not include a list of addresses and everyone's address is just revealed to one fellow BCer. Please check the list in this journal at the time you receive the book to find out who's next in line, because I'll update the list in case somebody else wants to join. Now, here it is (the book has already been journalled by all the BCers whose names are in bold letters):

0. Herrundmeyer (Germany)
1. rubyblue (Netherlands)
2. jeje1664 (France)
3. Xana (Portugal)
3a. Mady (Portugal)
4. Atenea-Nike (Spain)

5. liberliber (Italy) declined
After the problem with the Spanish mail system, Atenea-Nike got a new copy of the book (not the one mentioned below!) and used the same BCID for it. This new copy is now travelling around the world.
6. katayoun (Iran)
7. k-j-h (Australia)

8. Blue183 (New Zealand) declined
9. rhythmbiscuit (China)
10. Spiegel (Brazil)
11. solittletime (Maine, USA)

12. GoryDetails (New Hampshire, USA)
13. LFL676 (Massachusetts, USA)
14. CBCD (New Jersey, USA)
15. ThanksMom (Pennsylvania, USA)
16. pgsahm (Virginia, USA)
17. grover3d (West Virginia)
18. thescribe (North Carolina, USA)
19. kiptrix (South Carolina, USA)
20. linnefaulk (Florida, USA)
21. CalicoCorner (Alabama, USA)
22. sejent (Kentucky, USA)
23. baronreads (Illinois, USA)
24. daidy (Michigan, USA)
25. HikingReader (Wisconsin, USA)
26. appaloosatb (Minnesota, USA)
27. rkcook64 (Iowa, USA)
28. Betsy-STL (Missouri, USA)
29. clindell (Kansas, USA)
30. avanta7 (Arkansas, USA)
31. marinaw (Texas, USA)
32. ladyofunicorns (New Mexico, USA)
33. shellyann (Colorado, USA)
34. wahoo (Utah, USA)
35. Cassandra0629 (Arizona, USA)
36. sha (California, USA)
37. LarkOnapost (Oregon, USA)
38. beltempest (Idaho, USA)
39. Hawaiianheat (Canada)
40. Hero (Republic of Ireland)
41. ffyrestarr (England)
42. kapuze (Scotland)
43. Zenita (Denmark)
44. myntti (Finland)
45. Rhenium3 (Czech Republic)
46. allbookedup (Austria)
47. urpfi (Switzerland)
48. Herrundmeyer (Germany)

I'm especially happy that the book will go to Ireland, where it actually was purchased (at Reads of Nassau St., Dublin) during my exchange study stay at the Dublin Institute of Technology and to my fellow exchange student Jeje1664 from Paris.
I'm curious if, when and how the book will arrive back in Germany. Someone suggested adding local postcards to the book, but I don't know if we shouldn't keep it media-mailable, and I'm not sure if postcards are OK. Otherwise, just do what you like, add pictures to the journal, be creative. Just keep up the ring.
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them.
One Ring to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them...


Thanks.
HerrUndMeyer (Herr of the BookRing)

* * * * *

As regards my rating of the book:
It is one of the most hilarious ones I've ever read! My favourite story is "Jesus Shaves", and anyone who has ever been part of a class learning a foreign language knows what all this is about...
In my opinion, this book is even better than "Naked" by Sedaris.

Released on Saturday, March 01, 2003 at mailed to a fellow bookcrosser in Gelsenkirchen, Nordrhein-Westfalen Germany.

And off it goes! Mailed as Printed Matter (International) to keep costs low, but I think regarding the long list of names, a few more days do not matter.

Take care!
Peace!

HerrUndMeyer
*waving-good-bye-to-his-book-for-a-year-or-two*

Journal Entry 3 by rem_DTH-272697 on Tuesday, March 4, 2003
Hi Herr U. Receive the book today, thank you. I really shouldn't have (because I have another bookring book standing in line to get mailed), but I started reading it already today; took it to read in a doctor's waiting room. I was the one who wanted to add postcards to the book, but now that I see there are 42 people on the list, I guess that would make for a pretty bulky package, never mind postage rates. I'm definitely not a computer person but shall try to figure out how to post a photo....then you (and all of us) will have sort of a scrapbook of all the places the book has been. I didn't get very far in the book today, but every time I type an "s" I start giggling. Give me at least a week to get it off to you, jeje. And maybe a few days more.

Journal Entry 4 by rem_DTH-272697 on Friday, April 4, 2003
Before I mail the book on to Jefe, I'm making notes. This entry is in progress...

"Jesus Shaves," of course made me laugh--"the little boy of God"... It also reminded me of "The Education of H*Y*M*A*N K*A*P*L*A*N: The triumph of goodwill over grammar," by Leo Rosten... which gives me a chance to quote from it here:

"Mr. Parkhill decided he had not applied himself as conscientiously as he might to Mr. Kaplan's case. That very night he called on Mr. Kaplan first.
"Won't you take advantage of Recitation and Speech practice, Mr. Kaplan?" he asked, with an encouraging smile.
Mr. Kaplan smiled back and answered promptly, "Vell, I'll tell abot Prazidents United States. Fife Prazidents United States is Abram Lincohen, he vas freeink de neegers; Hodding, Coolitch, Judge Vashington, an' Banjamin Frenklin."
Further encouragement revealed that in Mr. Kaplan's literary Valhalla the "most famous tree American wriders" were Jeck Laundon, Valt Viterman, and the author of "Hawk L. Barry-Feen," one Mock-tvain. Mr. Kaplan took pains to point out that he did not mention Relfvaldo Amerson because "He is a poyet, an' I'm talkink abot wriders."
......A man to whom "Katz" is the plural of "cat" soon soars into higher and more ambitious endeavor. As a one-paragraph "Exercise in Composition," Mr. Kaplan submitted:

When people is meating on the boulvard, on going away one is saying, "I am glad I mat you," and the other is giving answer, "Mutual."


...Mr. Parkhill felt that perhaps Mr. Kaplan had overreached himself, and should be confined to the simpler exercises.
Mr. Kaplan was an earnest student. He worked hard, knit his brows regularly (albeit with that smile), did all his homework, and never missed a class. Only once did Mr. Parkhill feel that Mr. Kaplan might, perhaps, be a little more serious about his work. That was when he asked Mr. Kaplan to "give a noun."
"Door," said Mr. Kaplan, smiling.
It seemed to Mr. Parkhill that "door" had been given only a moment earlied, by Miss Mitnick.
"Y-es," said Mr. Parkhill. "er--and another noun?"
"Another door," Mr. Kaplan replied promptly.
...Mr. Parkhill soon discovered that poor Mrs. moskowitz did not know the meaning of "vast [as in "the vast deserts of America.]. Who can tell us the meaning of 'vast'?" asked Mr. Parkhill lightly.
Mr. Kaplan's handshot up, volunteering wisdom. He was all proud grins. Mr. Parkhill, in the rashness of the moment, nodded to him. M
Mr. Kaplan rose, radiant with joy. "'Vast!' Ot's commink fromm diraction. Ve have four diractions: de naut, de sot, de heast, and de vast."

Unfortunately haven't seen a copy of this book for probably 40 years; had to take the quotes from Amazon...

Journal entry still in progress (on hold until after August 15....).

Journal Entry 5 by rem_DTH-272697 on Wednesday, April 23, 2003
I mailed the book to Jefe in Paris on April 15, hoping it might arrive on April 17, the second anniversary of the founding of BookCrossing, even though the post office clerk told me it would take about a week (one can always hope). I must get back to my previous journal entry to finish my notes....

Journal Entry 6 by Jeje1664 from Paris, Ile-de-France France on Wednesday, April 30, 2003
just got your book dude!
wow I sure was waiting for it !!!!!
I'll report my comments soon: hope this book is funnny otherwise i'll kick you up the arse ;)
take care
jérôme

Journal Entry 7 by Jeje1664 from Paris, Ile-de-France France on Tuesday, May 13, 2003
Well just for those who don't get a word of what I am saying, as Jens and I know each other and he blab out som uch stufff about that book that I hope it is as good as a million times told me it was.... have to say I only started the book a week ago and am half through it and it is quite ok for the moment even if I was expecting more
more news about the book soon

Journal Entry 8 by Jeje1664 from Paris, Ile-de-France France on Tuesday, May 27, 2003
ok ok i am sorry about the delay but i had loads of work lately and not much time to read.. i am almost done with the book now and i have to admit the second part is better than the first: cause of the bloody french language learning stuff ;=)

Journal Entry 9 by Jeje1664 from Paris, Ile-de-France France on Friday, June 6, 2003
Well first of all i have to say that i am trully sorry for the delay but I sent the book
few days ago. The french post office is in strike as half of france's adminstration
so i wonder if xana will get the book any soon... i hope :=)
anyway i forgot to do an entry and share my comments on this quite funny book
even if part of the jokes are towards french ;)
all the best to the book journey (still at the post office right now i guess) and thank you jens for the ring you made .It made me think of stuff you told me back there ( dublin)
jeje1664

Journal Entry 10 by Xana from Genève, Genève Switzerland on Sunday, June 22, 2003
Safe and sound in this sunny country... for the time being.

Journal Entry 11 by mady from Reading, Berkshire United Kingdom on Thursday, June 26, 2003
Got this one yesterday from Xana :) Thanks a lot also to the Herr of this Bookring for accepting to include me "on the last minute" (or was it after it? :)).
I've already started reading the book this morning and so far so good.
I'll be spending this next weekend in Porto and will also attend a BC meeting over there :) and since the train trip (hin und zuruck) will take me more than 6 hours, I think I'll be finishing it already this weekend and will mail it to the next person asap :)

Journal Entry 12 by Xana from Genève, Genève Switzerland on Saturday, June 28, 2003
I've already passed it along to Mady, but still have to put my humble opinion in here.

It was different from what I was expecting, and because of that, maybe a little disappointing. It was kind of difficult to feel any kind of empathy for Dave. But I laughed a lot! Loved the story about the american in the train "the froggy smells..." and I found so funny what his sister said as the bus door closed... humm... maybe I'll use that someday.... (evil look).

I'm looking forward to seeing the book travel. Good luck.

Journal Entry 13 by mady from Reading, Berkshire United Kingdom on Monday, June 30, 2003
As I'd thought, I've read most of this book on the train trip to and from Porto (see picture) and still had the chance to start another one.
This was my first try with David Sedaris and an enjoyable read, but not as funny as I'd thought. At least not as funny as "Travel around Ireland with a fridge". Will be sending it along to the next member of the ring either today or tomorrow.
Happy travel!

*mailed to Atenea-Nike on July 1st*

Journal Entry 14 by Atenea-Nike on Thursday, July 17, 2003
It was waiting for me as I came back home from an extenuating but highly enjoyable trip through France and the Benelux. Can you believe I had almost forgotten I was part of this bookring? I'm sure I'll enjoy it. I'll start it tonight, as soon as I finish the short story from "The bridegroom" that I'm in the middle of. Thanks, Mady! :)

Journal Entry 15 by Atenea-Nike on Sunday, July 20, 2003
Oh well. The second part was certainly funnier than the second. There were parts of the book in which I luaghed out loud but overall I feel slightly dissapointed with it... Well, it's now Liberliber's turn! :)

Journal Entry 16 by Atenea-Nike on Sunday, November 23, 2003
The ever-despicable spanish mail sistem has eaten another book, or so it seems. I've found a replacement copy, courtesy of fellow bookcrosser Gregor. The new journal entry number is http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/1135639
Sorry for the inconveniences!

Journal Entry 17 by katayoun from Tehran, Tehran Iran on Wednesday, June 2, 2004
here and thanks! will get back in a while, got one book at hand and then it's this.

Journal Entry 18 by katayoun from Tehran, Tehran Iran on Saturday, June 5, 2004
Well firts of all i don't know if this is the place to make a journal entry or not, so let me know about that.
ok, so the book, first things first, it's finished and will be on it's way in a day or two. and now about this book, ummmmmm, it's difficult, it was funny and especially the second part had some really laugh aloud parts and yet i didn't like it all that much! it was funny in a mean, whiny way, i would NEVER like to meet mr sedaris :) (oooh he's be devastated :)) and also i didn't like his way of looking at things or actually NOT looking at things, he sounded like he had all these ready, pre-concieved ideas and notion set in his mind and then whereever he was, he wouldn't really see the people or the places, just what he thought the people and the places should be. it was scary and sad! ok, so laugh-out-loud funny, scary and sad!
thanks Herrundmeyer for the ring and Gregor/Atenea-Nike for reviving it, i really wanted to read this book and see how mr sedaris wrote.

Update June 7th: mailed!

Journal Entry 19 by k-j-h from Geelong, Victoria Australia on Thursday, June 24, 2004
This arrived yesterday, but somehow I forgot to make a journal entry. Fortunately, exams are now over so I can start reading this when I'm done with my current book.

Should be on its way to New Zealand within a week or two.

Journal Entry 20 by k-j-h from Geelong, Victoria Australia on Wednesday, July 14, 2004
The book was a bit variable in regards to my tastes. Some of the stories I found very funny, some just weren't. I didn't prefer either section over the other, but the stories featuring Amy were completely hilarious.


I sent this off to Brazil yesterday afternoon. (Wdenesday 14th July)

I'm afraid I had to take katayoun's postcard out to keep the parcel under a weight limit. For some reason, the cost to send a parcel DOUBLES (for all options) for that step, and at the moment I couldn't afford the extra.
I could have left the card in and sent it seamail, likely taking at least 3 months to arrive. Sent airmail, it will probably reach Spiegel within a week.

Journal Entry 21 by Spiegel from Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul Brazil on Thursday, July 22, 2004
It arrived today and was a very nice surprise. I've been reading another bookray book, but since there isn't anyone after me in that one and a long line in this one, I decided to switch. I'm on the third or fourth story and so far I'm enjoying the book.

Journal Entry 22 by Spiegel from Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul Brazil on Saturday, August 7, 2004
I liked the book a lot. I wouldn't say it was hilarious, but it was consistently enjoyable. For the sake of completeness, I'll mention that the casual references to drugs made me go "ick!" even though this hasn't really affected my enjoying the book.

My favorite stories were the ones that talked about his family, like "You Can't Kill the Rooster", "A Shiner Like a Dimanond" and "I'll Eat What He's Wearing". The French lessons were funny too and I can relate to the difficulty with gendered words. I never understood why German couldn't follow Portuguese rules, which are *clearly* more sensible in that regard. ;-)

The book is already on its way to solittletime (via slow boat). Thanks to Herrundmeyer for the opportunity to be in this bookring. I'd never come across David Sedaris otherwise and it's always nice to learn of a new author.

(The picture shows Itapua Lighthouse of lake Guaiba, on the shores of which my hometown is located)

Journal Entry 23 by wingsolittletimewing from Portland, Maine USA on Sunday, September 5, 2004
Received this book yesterday and started reading it after work last night.

Thanks for including me in this BookRing, Herrundmeyer. I'll keep it moving.

Are you sure you want to delete this item? It cannot be undone.