I just sorted out my bookrings that I started.

22 are Missing!!! I can't believe this but half of the rings I have started are awol!!

There are 20 still 'active' but about half of those 20 haven't moved for a while but I am giving the person who has the book the benefit of the doubt because 'I know them' or the last journal was less than 4 months ago.

Now I am really feeling depressed!

I know you are taking a risk with bookrings but it really is annoying that some people let the side down. I don't want to replace any because even some of the rings that I already replaced have gone missing too!!!

So no more bookrings for me. Thanks for all the great swaps and Vbbs Bookobsessors!!!

I started a bunch when I joined, and I usually find them to be disapointing. Either they are lost, or they move so slow that people usually request to be skipped when it's their turn cause they already read it, or they are swamped with other books. I will join one on occasion, but only if I really want the book, and it's something I know I will read like the next book in a series, or an author I really like.

I gave up on mine ages ago. They all got stalled, two or three with the same person. :unsure:

Here's a story that might give you hope:

I joined a bookring a couple of years ago that toddled along quite steadily for some months until apparently disappearing completely somewhere along the way. I gave it up for dead and forgot about it. Then, after being stalled for an entire year, it reappeared and eventually got not only to me but back to the originator. It wasn't even a replacement copy - someone just finally got themselves sorted out, I guess. I don't really know the details, but there you go. Bookring miracles do happen from time to time. :D

I only have one bookring out and come to think of it I need to check the status on it. lol

I avoid bookrings because of exactly what Amber says. I would prefer just to swap my books via VBB or swaps here at BO. That way once the book leaves my hands it is no longer my concern. lol

Off to check on my bookring.

I've only joined three and they had short lists. But I don't like to feel pressured about reading something so I generally stay away. The last of the 3 I was going to skip, but Wendy had already mailed me the book...and the stupid USPS lost it. :wacko:

Anyway, I don't blame you Amber. At this point the only way I would start a ring is with the BCers here so I know the book would move along.

Well some of the rings still 'active' are only full of people I know. Although it seems I can't trust some of them either.

So no more Bookrings for me. Not even going to join any. Actually most of the ones I have signed up for are stalled or I have read them already!

Yeah I agree with you Casey, I just got a bookring in the mail and I started reading it right away but I'm at the point in the book where I just want to put it down. I know I'll enjoy it more later, but I dont feel like I can stop reading it. This will definitely be the last bookring I join, even though I appreciate the spirit of them.

Yeah...I've quit participating in rings/rays because it either takes so long to get to me, it dies, or I'm not in a mood to read the book when it arrives. They are just too much of a pain. I'm HAPPY just releasing mostly RABCKs and some wild releases since I'm playing in Shaunies release challenge.

I still like to do bookrings but have to limit myself to 5 as they all tend to arrive at once. I don't know why they like to flock together but it always happens :shrug:

I sign up for very few now but I still start some now and then...I'm hardcore about staying on top of people and sending PMs saying "send it along!" which I guess does take the pleasure out of reading it when you're in the mood....but oh well! :lol: That's me...

I should probably limit myself in bookrings. I haven't signed up for any new ones for several months because I'm still buried under rings that snowballed me back at the end of the summer, which I got backlogged under because of school. I've been in communication with all the ring leaders, so they know their books are here and safe and will travel, and I usually get quite a few out and into the post at a time... Normally I'm much better at this, though **laughs**

I love bookrings, though. I love the chance to experience a book that I would like to read, or to be exposed to authors and books I may not have bought for myself but that look interesting, anyway. Also, it's a great way to be part of a discussion on a book, and often many bookcrossers of like-mind organize theme rings... like right now the vast majority of bookring books that I have or will receive (if I ever get through these **laughs**) are on the 1001 list.

Yeah, I guess they can be disappointing... stalls are unfortunate, but not necessarily forever. I organized a bookring once that spent nearly a year in one place: lost in my little sister's bedroom! Eventually it was unearthed and moved on, and now it's been through everyone and can come home to me. For all the rings that get stalled or misplaced in the mail, they still have a higher catch rate than wild releases (in my experience). I understand about the pressure/stress of bookrings, too (trust me! **glances nervously at shelf**) Still... I like bookrings. When I've cleared out this stack, I'll probably sign up for more **grins**

I hear you, I quit doing those long ago, for that very reason, and it took me losing way less than you have! :hug:

I had to bitch myself over on the Club VLAD list because this is the 2nd time my Rowan Gant books have gone missing!! Joanne (NeedSun) was kind enough to replace them for me during the Holiday season so I'll continue the ring with remaining participants, but only those ones I know personally!! Everyone else is gonna have to tough it!

Amber and Wendy, I have one bookring of each of yours here on my shelf as well.

Amber, I've had the Dead Girls' Dance by Rachel Caine since the beginning of October as I still hadn't read the first book yet. I did just finish that a week or so ago which you saw that and commented on in my journal. I even mentioned there that I have book 2 from your ring waiting here for me.

Wendy, I have your copy of Undead and Uneasy by MJD here with me. Unfortunately, it was sent to me without the previous person "checking in" first as I no longer need it. It's due to go to HoserLauren next but I need to read my copy of Undead and Unpopular (the previous book in the series) first and send that along with since she needs to read that first, and I am trying to save $ by sending both together.

There's no rush. I saw that it was with you when I checked, so I knew it was safe. :P

Don't feel personally hit by my post. I wasn't thinking of you because I know you have the other book and I know you will pass them on. I trust you :hug:

There are some other people though. Some in Club Vlad actually who have gone very quiet and have had some of my rings since Summer!

I am giving them the benefit of the doubt because they have always been good and trustworthy but it hurts alot when even rings organised in a close group of 'friends' like Club Vlad even don't move on! :shrug:

I figured that, and don't worry, I didn't feel personally hit. I just figured I should pipe up since both you and Wendy commented here and I know I have rings of both of yours in my possession for longer than a month right now. And most of my rings have been usually in the 3 month turnaround time. Heh, be glad you're not Joanne and her Dark-Hunter rings.... at least I'm at the end on those, but some of them have been with me since last March. Fortunately, we kinda consider them a long-term loan at this point. :lol:

But, that's why one of my major goals for the last 6 months or so has been to not use TBRs in swaps or VBBs as it simply puts me further behind the 8 ball. I simply can't allow myself to do it while I still owe more than 5 or 6 other things including rings. It's bad enough that I've had to add a few books for exchange partners and such to the owed TBR, but I try not to do it in swaps and VBBs.... and I've not really been joining any new bookrings either. So I'm trying to be better, see? :angel:

But yeah I think I know who else you might be referring to with stuff had since the summer... well at least one person, and yeah I haven't been able to get a response out of her but she is still fairly active on LJ from what I've seen. I think she was going through "a thing" herself for awhile so I'm not sure on a current status though.... :shrug: But it's much worse when that person has just become like incommunicado and all! :erm:

I rarely participate. Because I used to receive so many bookrings at once or wasn't in the mood to read a particular bookring when it finally got here.
I much rather do trades because then I can choose when I want to read something.

But it's quite sad, that people from a bookclub are stalling bookrings because you guys set up the rings so that you can have discussions about them!

I sometimes, however, offer bookrings but not that many at once. A friend of mine has just written and published a teen novel in German, which I have turned into a ring in the German Forum, because she would really like to read some readers' reviews. So far the ring is doing well. Although most readers are not that into teen novel. I would take certain members off the participants list if I notice that they have been stalling rings.

I've just received a book from a ring that was with one person for 3 years. Yes, that's right this bookcrosser had the book since July of 2004 and sent it on in November of this year. Don't lose all hope, your rings could start moving again at some point :D

Amberkatze, I know you are frustrated right now, and you have every right to be :wink: I just wanted to thank you for your rings, I have enjoyed more than one! :grin: I hope they turn up.

Damn! Again? They were good books too, Cherie. Except for her flamin' hair :lol: