I am offering this book for a book ray. This is one of my first simultaneous rays I am creating, and I hope it's ok with this memoir.

While the point of the ray is to make the book available to welcoming readers and have a good time seeing the book travel, I consider some rules should be set, to make the experience smoother.

1. Please take care of the book. Other people are waiting for it, and you wouldn't want to receive a destroyed book. Take care of it as if it were your own.

2. Please don't stall the book. If it got to you timely, repay the kindness sending it timely.

3. Please try to read the book in 3-4 weeks. This is a very easy novel; it shouldn't take more than that.

4. If you would love to participate in the ring but know you won't be able to finish it in the allotted time, I will gladly add you toward the end of the list.

5. If the person you're supposed to send the book to declines, send it to the next in line, and let Isabel-Batteria know, so the list can be updated. Also, let me know if you want to be taken out of the list (which I hope no one does!).

6. Please don't fail to make release notes, so we all know where we stand on the line.

7. This book ring will remain open until it reaches me back. If you want to be added, PM me with your request and your shipping preferences (your preference to ship internationally or only within your country).

8. The mailing order may change based on geography, mailing preference of participants or originator's whim.

Book rays work based on good faith and responsibility. Please help us make this ring a success!

HAPPY READING!!!

Book ray started on October 19, 2007.

Isabel-Batteria (Puerto Rico)
WhiteRaven (Kentucky, USA)
blue1236 (Australia)
kayjay33 (Canada)
ayntastic (California, USA)
dancing-dog (Tennessee, USA)
skizeye9 (D.C., USA)

Book ry ended on May 14, 2008.

Extremely interesting read, whenever I took the book I would read a hundred pages or so without even noticing. It flows seamlessly.

It definitely reminded me of Frank McCourt's ingenuity. It's interesting how at the beginning of the story, when she is just a kid, her account is still naive, and as the years pass and she becomes older and more mature, the way of telling things gradually changes as well. For example, as a kid, she takes her father's alcoholism matter-of-factly, and when she is older it becomes a nuisance.

Jeannette Walls obviously had a hard time showing us the facts versus her feelings. She does judge her parents, but she shows all the time that it's impossible not to overlook it all in order to love them. I know there are people who will judge this book's characters as the real people they are supposed to be (rather than literary characters), but I will refrain from doing it. Why? Because, even though the parents' conduct escalates from simple irresponsibility to sheer negligence and injustice, well, there is nothing we can do at this point. I will not have a heart attack for things I can't fix. The lesson here is to try not to emulate them. Jeannette herself forgives them over and over again, even unconsciously, all the time, just as we do when some close family member abuses us in some way and we always end up giving him or her yet another chance.

Received this book yesterday in the mail - will start reading as soon as I finish The Thirteenth Tale.

Such a good book. I had a little bit of trouble getting through it, because it was triggering for me in places; too many similarities to younger days. But it's so easy to become invested in the people in this family; a very moving memoir.

Mailing to blue1236 today.

Arrived in the mail about a week ago. I forgot to journal it then - forgive me! The good news is that I am more than half way through so I should be mailing this off to kayjay33 this week. =)

Finished this last night. An easy read - horrifying to think it's a memoir. Will get this in the mail to kayjay33 today. Thanks for including me in the bookring. =)

The book was in my mailbox today,all the way from Australia. I just finished a bookray last night and sent it on its way today so should be able to get at this one soon.

This is supposed to be a memoir but I find it hard to believe that Jeannette and her brother and older sister would keep on forgiving the parents over and over for the neglect that was bestowed upon them. The mother in my opinion was probably bipolar and perhaps not to be blamed for the manner in which she left the children to fend for themselves. But the Dad was a lazy drunk who refused to work most of the time and stole from the children over and over. It is a very disturbing book and it is too bad that the children were not removed from the parents.
I have sent for the address of the next reader on the list and will send the book along as soon as I can.

RELEASE NOTES:

I finally got down to the Post Office and sent the book off to Ayntastic. With a bit of help from The US postal service and Canada Post it should soon be there.

Got this one today - thank you Isabel-Batteria for starting the ring :) I'll begin reading it immediately.

This novel was poignant, funny, surreal, and heartbreaking at times. It's hard to believe that two people like Jeannette's parents could be so selfish. I admire her strength and ability to overcome such a difficult upbringing. I really enjoyed this book - though it was frustrating to read at times!

This has arrived safe and sound and the timing is perfect since I've just finished a book. :)

Finished this over the rainy weekend and it was a very quick read, mostly because I think I was mesmorized with disbelief at the family life of these children. I think the saying that some people just shouldn't be parents probably holds true ... I kind of found the ending the most disturbing part that even when they could change, the parents chose not to. I agree with kayjay that there were some mental problems. Sad but interesting story, I was proud of the kids in the end that they were able to rise about their terrible early years. Thanks for sharing this book - I will pm the next reader for an address and get it on its way soon.

Just got this in the mail and it's perfect timing as I am just finishing another book. My only inhibition is that book has made me pretty "bluesy" and I hope this one doesn't bring me down too much too! I'm definitely going to have to take a break for a light read after this one! Thanks for sending and for including me in this bookring!

Really enjoyed this book. I am more of a fiction reader, but found this book to flow just as easily--at times I forgot it was real, which is a tribute to her writing skill. Realizing it is though--I am in awe of the children who were so strong and made lives for themselves. Fascinating, insightful--so glad I took the time to read. Thanks for sharing with us all!

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

So excited to be able send a RABCK to alexialeigh who has sent me one in the past--especially one that is such a good book!