This week my teaser lines come from Books: A Memoir, Larry McMurtry's first volume of bookish memories (he's written two more volumes since this one was published). A wonderfully entertaining account of his life as reader, writer, and bookman, the work is chatty and learned at the same time (a lot like McMurtry himself), and crammed full of great "teaser" bits.This snippet comes from the end of Chapter 2 (p.6), with McMurtry remembering his life as a six-year-old on a Texas ranch, and his earliest discoveries in the world of books and reading:
With the day-to-day life of our ranch being so crowded, I somehow failed to get around to fantasy – to story, to invention – until one day in 1942 when my cousin Robert Hilburn, on his way to enlist in the new war, stopped by the ranch house and gave me the gift that changed my life.And Cousin Robert gets my vote for Cousin of the Year!
The gift was a box containing nineteen books.
Teaser Tuesdays is hosted by mizB at Should Be Reading. If you'd like to read more teasers, or take part yourself, just head on over to her blog.
And please feel free to leave me a link to your blog post in a comment here.
I agree...I need a cousin Robert.
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I am a huge McMurtry fan, but I didn't realize he had a memoir out. Must track this down quickly. Thanks so much -- I'm excited about this.
ReplyDeleteWow! This is a great teaser. Cousin Robert gave him the gift of reading and writing. Wonderful. I didn't realize Larry Mcmurty's memoirs were out in the book world.
ReplyDeletehttp://readwithtea.blogspot.com/2010/08/teaser-tuesdays.html
I have really liked the McMurtry books I have read previously.
ReplyDeleteMy teaser is The King of Attolia - a book I am very excited about reading this week!
Great teaser! I like the cousin. I'll have to look for the book. My teaser is from Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteWe all need a Cousin Robert! Great teaser.
ReplyDeleteWonderful teaser!
ReplyDeleteHere is my Teaser Tuesday: Still Missing by Chevy Stevens!
Very nice! Here's my teaser.
ReplyDeleteHere is mine; http://fredasvoice.blogspot.com/2010/08/teaser_17.html
ReplyDeleteHaha Cousin of the Year. Nice teaser! Mine is at The Crowded Leaf.
ReplyDeleteAn excellent gift! Did the cousin survive the war?
ReplyDeleteGreat teaser....I'll bet Robert made his day!
ReplyDeleteAh - a box of book. What better gift is there?
ReplyDeletethis sounds really interesting. nice teaser. Kaye-the road goes ever ever on
ReplyDeleteSometimes these things are serendipitous - a box of books dropped off at the house, a grandmother's bookcase...it can lead to lifelong reading. Nice teaser!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for coming by my blog earlier!
I love that teaser!!! I want to read more!
ReplyDeleteThat's a good one - had no idea McMurtry had a memoir out.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog!
I've enjoyed several McMurtry books (and movies made from his books!), but hadn't heard of this one. It sounds good. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog.
Great excerpt! I wish I had cousins like that! Thanks for visiting.
ReplyDeleteawesome teaser!!! he is such an amazing author!
ReplyDeleteHere's my teaser!!
Great teaser! I've been wanting to read this book for quite a while.
ReplyDeleteI think my last comment got eaten. Hopefully I am not double posting!
ReplyDeleteThe books sounds fun - yay for cousin Robert!
Hurray for Cousin Robert!
ReplyDeleteThanks for checking mine out. I'm liking the Travis McGee story way better than my last one (Elmore's The Big Bounce). McGee isn't my usual (I"m a Brit Lit/British Golden Age Mystery kind of gal)...but I think he grows on me.
I've never heard of the author or book, but I agree, Cousin Robert is awesome!
ReplyDeleteHaven't picked this one up yet, although I should -- I've read Lonesome Dove 5 times.... :)
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome gift that was!
ReplyDeleteI've never read any of his books, but this is a great teaser.
ReplyDeleteSounds really interesting! I hadn't heard of the author, but I'll have to check this one out.
ReplyDelete19 books in a box is something I would love to show off to others too. It sounds really like a great book. Thanks for stopping by at my blog!
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