Book Beginnings: Everyone Brave is Forgiven

Everyone Brave is Forgiven, by Chris Cleave (Simon & Schuster, February 2016). These are the book's first lines:

War was declared at eleven-fifteen and Mary North signed up at noon. She did it at lunch, before telegrams came, in case her mother said no. She left finishing school unfinished.

Initial Thoughts:

I love that beginning, but I'm very nervous about Mary signing up for military service. I know finishing school can be rough, but it probably didn't really prepare her for actual combat. I've heard a lot about this one, and I'm looking forward to getting started on it.

So, what about it? Would those first few sentences tempt you to read a bit more?

Rose City Reader hosts Book Beginnings on Friday. 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.

Teaser Tuesday: Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?

This week my teaser lines come from Henry Farrell's classic thriller/horror novel, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? -- the book that served as inspiration for another classic, the 1962 movie starring Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. This snippet is from the first paragraph of Chapter 11 (p.132 of the paperback edition) -- sorry it's a little more than two sentences:

Jane awoke in darkness, her heart pounding. All around her was a threat of something, a terrible, encircling danger. Her head throbbed, and there was a bad taste in her mouth. She reached out in a frightened, tentative effort to determine where she was. Her hand touched a warm softness....

And I'm not telling what that warm softness turns out to be. You'll just have to read the book if you want to know more.

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Jenn at Books and a Beat. 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 Teaser Tuesday post in your comment here.

Teaser Tuesday: A Fine Imitation

This week my teaser lines come from A Fine Imitation, a new historical novel by Amber Brock (Crown, May 2016). This quote is from Chapter 13 (p.87):

She looked out the window, hoping for some sign of an unexpected hurricane or a well-timed war that would make the roads unusable. But these thoughts came with a stab of guilt. She shouldn't wish for devastation to serve her own ends, especially not with the idea of preventing her own mother from coming to visit.

Sounds like dear old Mum might not be such a welcome companion, hmmm?

I'm enjoying this one much more than I expected to. Midway through and hoping it doesn't disappoint in the second half.

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Jenn at Books and a Beat. 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 Teaser Tuesday post in your comment here.

Book Beginnings: The Atomic Weight of Love

The Atomic Weight of Love, by Elizabeth J. Church (Algonquin Books, May 2016). First sentence of the book's Prologue:

In early January of 2011, forty-five hundred red-winged blackbirds fell dead from the Arkansas skies.

Initial Thoughts:

Sounds a little spooky, doesn't it? But I've read a bit further and I know the birds weren't magic-ed out of the air. I don't think I'm giving anything away by saying there's nothing paranormal about this book. At least, not that I've noticed. Just some gorgeous writing that has me hooked for the moment. I've heard many good things about Elizabeth Church's debut novel, and so far I'm definitely in agreement.

Rose City Reader hosts Book Beginnings on Friday. 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.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

So now it's May. Already. And unfortunately, my reading slump continues. In April, I only finished two books:

Far From True, by Linwood Barclay

and

Miller's Valley, by Anna Quindlen

... both of which I enjoyed a lot, although they're very different sorts of books. Haven't posted any reviews yet, but I have every intention of doing that later this week. (If all goes well.)

This week I'm reading:

A Fine Imitation, by Amber Brock

It's a Library Thing Early Reviewer book, from several months ago -- so I really need to get it finished up and reviewed ASAP.

After that, I think I might try something a little lighter. Maybe this:

Picture Miss Seeton, by Heron Carvic

or this:

The Skeleton Garden, by Marty Wingate

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is now hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. If you want to let the world know what you're going to be reading this week, head on over to her blog and leave your link. It's also a great way to discover new books and new blogs.

Week Links

Just a few of the items that caught my interest this past week, around the Internet.

The Bookish

Little Shaq Takes a Chance
(Who knew Shaquille O'Neal has now authored a series of children's books?!)
Bloomsbury Publishing

Nights of Terror, Days of Weird
(A look at author Terry Southern and a book of his letters, edited by his son.)
Oxford American / Will Stephenson / 22 March 2016

The Oldest Libraries Around the World
("A selection of beautiful places to start your day.")
Flavorwire / Alison Nastasi / 24 April 2016

Shakespeare First Folio Discovered...in Time for an Anniversary
(In three volumes, shelved in the library at Mount Stuart House.)
New York Times / Jennifer Schuessler / 6 April 2016

The top 33 bookstores in Toronto by type
("Toronto book stores haven't all packed up shop just yet.")
BlogTO / Derek Flack / 27 April 2016

Was there a cover-up over Shakespeare's death?
("The 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death reignites interest in a great literary mystery.")
The Spectator / Lloyd Evans / 23 April 2016

And the Non-Bookish

These Levi's jeans are designed to to give you a wedgie, which seems wrong
(Levi's new jeans are billed as "the cheekiest jeans in your closet." Ouch.)
Slate / Christina Cauterucci / 27 April 2016