Book Beginnings: The Mists of Avalon

The Mists of Avalon, by Marion Zimmer Bradley (first published 1982). This is the first paragraph of the book's Prologue:

Morgaine speaks...
In my time I have been called many things: sister, lover, priestess, wise-woman, queen. Now in truth I have come to be wise-woman, and a time may come when these things may need to be known. But in sober truth, I think it is the Christians who will tell the last tale. For ever the world of Fairy drifts further from the world in which the Christ holds sway. I have no quarrel with the Christ, only with his priests, who call the Great Goddess a demon and deny that she ever held power in this world. At best, they say that her power was of Satan. Or else they clothe her in the blue robe of the Lady of Nazareth -- who indeed had power in her way, too -- and say that she was ever virgin. But what can a virgin know of the sorrows and travail of mankind?

Initial Thoughts:

Well, I love it. I've been loving it for years. I've been intending to read this book, for decades now. I've started it several times, never made it all the way through. I'm thinking of starting it again and reading it for the Once Upon a Time challenge. Thinking about it. The thing that always defeats me is the fact that it's almost 900 pages long -- and at the rate I read, I'll be reading it all year!

So, I don't know. Maybe. Maybe not.

Still love the opening, though. And the subject matter. Hmmmm....?

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 to add new books to your must-read list, and a chance to connect with other readers and bloggers.

Book Beginnings: Inkheart

Inkheart, by Cornelia Funke; translated from the German by Anthea Bell (Scholastic Inc., 2004; first published 2003). First book in the Inkworld Trilogy. These are the opening lines of the first chapter ("A Stranger in the Night"):

Rain fell that night, a fine, whispering rain. Many years later, Meggie had only to close her eyes and she could still hear it, like tiny fingers tapping on the windowpane. A dog barked somewhere in the darkness, and however often she tossed and turned Meggie couldn't get to sleep. 

The book she had been reading was under her pillow, pressing its cover against her ear as if to lure her back into its printed pages.

Initial Thoughts:

I think I love everything about this book's opening passage (including the quote from Lucy M. Boston's The Children of Green Knowe, which I haven't included). The whispering rain, the tapping fingers, the book under her pillow -- I find it all pretty mesmerizing.

I've had this one on my shelves for several years now and pulled it out to read for this year's Once Upon a Time reading event/challenge. It's something of a chunkster (nearly 600 pages in the paperback edition), so it will likely take me a while to get through it. But so far, I only regret not having started it sooner.

What about you? Do you enjoy books aimed at the younger reader? Are you a fantasy enthusiast? Would this opening pull 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 to add new books to your must-read list, and a chance to connect with other readers and bloggers.

Once Upon a Time X

Spring is here! Finally! I know that's true because bluebonnets are popping up all along the highways here in Texas. The hubby has already done the "first mow" of the yard for this year. And my allergies are giving me fits! Soooo, it must be SPRING!

And if spring is here, it must also be time for another edition of Carl's Once Upon a Time reading event/challenge, the wonderful annual spring fling of reading, over at Stainless Steel Droppings. This is its tenth year, and I've been looking forward to it for months now. One of my favorite bookish events every year, it gives me a reason to give myself permission to read some of the fantasy literature (both adult and children's/YA) I love. (Second childhood -- or by now, I guess more like third or fourth.)

I usually opt for the easiest "quest" (the Journey) and commit to one book. But this year I'm throwing caution out the window and signing up for

Quest the First (read at least 5 books that fit somewhere within the Once Upon a Time categories: Fairy Tale, Folklore, Fantasy, and Mythology). I might not make it, but the try will do me loads of good. I might also join in on the Screen Quest and Short Story Quest, if I can.

I don't have a definite list of books I'll be reading, although more than likely they'll all be from the fantasy genre. I do have a few I'm thinking about:

• After Alice, by Gregory Maguire.
  Published last year, to coincide with the 150th anniversary of Lewis Carroll's classic children's tale. I'm intrigued by the publisher's note: "When Alice toppled down the rabbit-hole 150 years ago, she found a Wonderland as rife with inconsistent rules and abrasive egos as the world she left behind. But what of that world? How did 1860s Oxford react to Alice's disappearance? "
• Inkheart, by Cornelia Funke.
  I've been trying to read this one for several years now. I'm such a slow reader, and at nearly 600 pages, it would require a major investment of time. So, we'll see....
• The Magic City, by E. Nesbit.
  I've never read anything by Edith Nesbit. Well, not actually true -- I've started a couple of her books, but never finished any of them. I've always loved the sound of this one. 
• The Neverending Story, by Michael Ende.
  I'm a little surprised that I've never read this one. Loved the movie.
• Silver on the Tree, by Susan Cooper.
  The final book in her Dark Is Rising sequence of novels. I've read the other four books for various other OUaT challenges, so this would be the perfect time to finish off the series.
• Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There, by Lewis Carroll.
  This would be a re-read, as I've read both Alice books many times over the years. This year is something of an anniversary for this one -- it first appeared 145 years ago, in 1871.

Or maybe none of the above. Whatever I do read, I'll be tracking my progress over on my challenge blog (HERE). Now, I'm off to browse my shelves.

(To sign up: Once Upon a Time X announcement page.)

Book Beginnings: Ask the Right Question

Ask the Right Question, by Michael Z. Lewin -- the first book in his Albert Samson series (first published 1972). This is the book's first paragraph:

I had a big decision after lunch. Whether to read in the office or to stay in my living room and read. 

Initial Thoughts:

Well, how could I resist this one? A private eye who likes to read. Or maybe he's just reading because he doesn't have any clients. But at least he's not heading for the track or a bar. So...certainly a nonconformist. I also like the first-person narration -- he sounds a little like a nerdy Sam Spade. Definitely my kinda guy.

I'm thinking of reading this one for the Vintage Mystery Cover Challenge. Would that opening inspire you to keep 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 to add new books to your must-read list, and a chance to connect with other readers and bloggers.

Teaser Tuesday: The Summer Before the War

This week my teaser lines come from The Summer Before the War, the new novel by Helen Simonson (Random House, March 2016). This quote comes from page 39, or Location 634 of the Kindle edition:

"I hope you will be able to be happy as well as merely useful," said Hugh. "This town has always been a very tranquil refuge for me, but you may find it quiet after your life of travel."
"I would settle for being a hermit," she said.

I'm just starting this one, so I don't really know why she wants to be a hermit. But sometimes I feel the same way!

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: Only Love Can Break Your Heart

Only Love Can Break Your Heart, by Ed Tarkington (Algonquin Books, January 2016). This is the book's first paragraph:

Paul was my half brother. But I never called him that. This was partially out of loyalty -- for I remained devoted to him despite everything -- but mostly because it didn't seem quite enough, having only half of one brother. So I never thought of him that way.

Initial Thoughts:

I like the voice here, and the slightly mysterious feeling -- everything's in the past. And that "despite everything" sounds like some real complications down the line. I'm just starting this one and don't know much about it, but the opening is definitely pulling me in.

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.

Book Beginnings: The Muralist

The Muralist, by B.A. Shapiro (Algonquin Books, November 2015). This is the book's opening paragraph:

It was there when I arrived that morning, sitting to the right of my desk, ostensibly no different from the other half-dozen cartons on the floor, flaps bent back, paintings haphazardly poking out. As soon as I saw it, I ripped off my gloves, dropped to my knees, and pawed through the contents. I didn't realize I wasn't breathing until my chest began to ache and little black dots jumped around the edges of my vision.

Initial Thoughts:

I like it. I'm always attracted to fiction about the art world. And how wonderful to be so excited about anything that you forget to breathe. Lovely. I've heard a lot of good things about this book, and I'm anxious to get started on it. (A little late, but you know how that is.)

But, what d'you think? Would this first paragraph pull you in, keep you reading? Or if you've read the book, did you like it?

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.