Book Beginnings on Friday: The Universe Versus Alex Woods

This week I'm reading The Universe Versus Alex Woods, by Gavin Extence.  It's the story of a young man whose life is thrown completely off track after he's struck by a meteorite when he's ten years old.  Alex's existence after that is fascinating but far from easy.  Here's the opening paragraph:

They finally stopped me at Dover as I was trying to get back into the country.  I was half expecting it, but it still came as kind of a shock when the barrier stayed down.  It's funny how some things can be so mixed up like that. Having come this far, I'd started to think that I might make it the whole way home after all. It would have been nice to have been able to explain things to my mother.  You know: before anyone else had to get involved. 

Initial Thoughts:   I've been trying to get started on this one for a couple of weeks now.  If the holidays hadn't slowed me down, I'm sure I'd be finished with it by now because I've really enjoyed it so far.  Reminds me a little of Mark Haddon's The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time which was one of my favorites a few years back.  So I have high hopes for the rest of the book.

Rose City Reader hosts Book Beginnings on Fridays. As she says, the idea is to post the first sentence (or so) of the book you're currently reading, along with any first impressions or thoughts you have about the book, the author, etc.  It's a wonderful way of adding new books to your must-read list, and a chance to connect with other readers and bloggers.