Book Beginnings: What We Keep

What We Keep, by Elizabeth Berg (Random House, originally published 1998). This is the book's opening paragraph:

Outside the airplane window the clouds are thick and rippled, unbroken as acres of land. They are suffused with peach-colored, early morning sun, gilded at the edges. Across the aisle, a man is taking a picture of them. Even the pilot couldn't keep still -- "Folks," he just said, "we've got quite a sunrise out there. Might want to have a look." I like it when pilots make such comments. It lets me know they're awake.

Initial Thoughts:

Me, too! I love it when the pilot comes on the PA system. I desperately need reassurance that there's actually a human up there flying the plane. And that it's not just me keeping us up in the air by constantly holding my breath and thinking positive thoughts. ("Up! Up! Up!")

Yes, I can identify with that opening.

So far, I like this one, even though I really haven't started it yet -- not officially. But I'm looking for something to read for the Women's Fiction Reading Challenge, and this is a strong possibility. It would also fit in with my ongoing personal challenge to read more books published during the 1990s. Also, it would be another new author -- I've never read anything by Elizabeth Berg, although I have quite a few of her books on my TBR list.

And, after all the thrillers and spooky stuff I've been reading lately, this would be a nice change of pace.

So, how about it? Would that opening draw you in and keep you reading?

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.