WEIRD, but so fascinating, it's hard to put down. It's set in 1970s suburbia and details the (very short) lives of five sisters and the events that lead each of them to commit suicide, each in a different way, all in the same year. Read it only if you're in the mood for something dark.

I've decided to share this one via a bookring. It ships today and begins its journey around the world with Draginta in Kansas. Thanks to everyone who signed up to participate. Since there are quite a few participants in this ring, please be considerate and try to pass the book along in a reasonable amount of time. Ideally, you should have the book for no longer than 4 weeks before sending it on to the next person. If a problem comes up where you can't get to the book in a reasonable amount of time, please send it on to the next person in line and PM me to be added to the end of the list. Thanks for your cooperation and for signing up. Happy reading!

Here's the ordered list of recipients:
1. Draginta (USA)
2. Sunshinedreamr (USA)
3. Nine-Mile (USA)
4. Emmagoldmanzine (USA)
5. MandaJo (USA)
6. GateGypsy (Canada)
7. Twynnie (UK)
8. RDWirral (UK)
9. Hengameh (Iran)
10. AngelfireStar (USA)
11. DG7500 (USA)
12. *Back to me*

A very artistic book, but much much easier to follow (and enjoy) than Virginia Woolf. It is told in first person plural, but not by any of the girls, but by a nameless nabor boy. This is one of those books that no explanation can do justice for unless it has been experienced already.

Thanks for sending this on to me. I started reading it already, and I can already tell the tone is very dark. But it is interesting so far, so I think I am going to like this one :)

I'm very sorry for holding this bookring up for so long. Unfortunately I haven't had time to read it between school work and other personal matters. I'll send this on to the next participant as soon as I recieve their address. Thank you for sharing, MoonBeam056. :)

RELEASE NOTES:

Sent to Nine-Mile today. I hope you enjoy it :)

Just received in the post. Thanks so much for shaRING MoonBeam! I'm gonna be pretty busy, with the Jamaica trip coming up so I wouldn't be surprised if this one makes the trip with me. Hopefully I'll have it on it's way again shortly after we return.

So sorry, this one took me a little longer than most. It's true that it is difficult to put down, but only once it's been picked up... and it's not so very tempting to pick up all too often. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I just needed a break every now and again. I have very mixed feelings about this book; as my mind wandered to what i might write in my review I found that my opinion of the story was constantly shifting. At times I found the narrative mundane and depressing, at others I was amazed by the lyrical quality of Mr. Eugenides' prose. Overall, I do feel that this one is not to be missed and I cite the London Times as I could not hope to put it any better than this:
"...Eugenides celebrates, grieves, and honors the mystery of the most commonplace lives." His characters are wonderfully human. Almost so human that you may find yourself bored with them; they might be your own next-door neighbors, and who wants to read about them, right? I think that there is a great deal of beauty in that.

Sidenote: this one did make it to the beach with me, but I don't remember pulling it out.

On the way to emma as soon as I receive her address.

The book has arrived. I'm hoping to pass it on within the week.

I did enjoy this book. The girls left me wanting to know more about them, to know their feelings, but I liked that side of the book. So often books center on what the main characters are feeling, I liked the approach of the outsiders looking in. I just really wanted to see all the "evidence." Eugenides' writing style was captivating and I could picture it all. Loved it.


This is off to the next person on the list tomorrow.

I sent this book off to MandaJo a few weeks ago. It was returned to me today with a big refused sticker on it. I PMed her to make sure her addy is correct. Hopefully this will be worked out and it will be on its way again. Sorry for the holdup, but I have no control over the USPS (some days I really wish I did...)

Okay, I think everything is worked out. I sent to the correct address so we're not really sure what happened. I sent the book out AGAIN this morning with delivery confirmation to make sure we can track it. Hopefully this time it will make it. So the book is traveling again. Sorry for inadvertently holding up the ring.

It's here! I'm already halfway finished, and have the address of the next person in line, so I hope to get this one passed along on Monday... er, Tuesday, I guess, because of the holiday. I'm totally sucked in... but I can't stop seeing Kirsten Dunst every time I open the book. I hate it when that happens. That's exactly why I refuse to see any of the Harry Potter movies. Anyway, very excited to read this one. I'll post again as soon as I have it in the mail :)