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.

Teaser Tuesdays: The Past

This week my teaser lines come from The Past, a novel by Tessa Hadley (first published in the UK by Jonathan Cape, September 2015). This quote comes from page 26, or Location 317 of the Kindle edition:

Among his messages there was one from his mother, which he didn't read, and one from the girl; he decided before opening this that if she used any form of text-abbreviation, which he despised, then he wouldn't respond.
-- Where r u Kas? she wrote.

I do so agree with Kas about text-speak: It should be ignored. But he really should read that message from his Mum.

Teaser Tuesdays is hosted by Jenn at A Daily Rhythm. 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 Tuesdays: My Name Is Lucy Barton

This week my teaser lines come from My Name Is Lucy Barton, by Elizabeth Strout (Random House, January 2016). This excerpt comes from an advance copy of the book, and might be different in the published version. Also, since I read an electronic version of the book, I'm not sure about page numbers -- it's from Location 508 of the Kindle edition.

He was the one who taught me to search for food from the dumpster behind Chatwin's Cake Shoppe. What was striking was the lack of furtiveness he displayed as he stood in the dumpster and tossed aside boxes until he found what he was looking for -- the old cakes and rolls and pastries from days before.

I've only just picked this one up, so I'm not really sure what's going on there. But it doesn't sound happy, does it?

Teaser Tuesdays is hosted by Jenn at A Daily Rhythm. 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.

2016 Nonfiction Reading Challenge

2016 Nonfiction Reading Challenge

Hosted by: The Introverted Reader

Dates: January 1 - December 31, 2016

I meant to sign up for this one last month (actually, I thought I had!), so this is a little late. The Nonfiction Challenge is pretty straightforward: Read anything that's not fiction -- history, memoirs, travel, etc. You get the idea. Crossovers with other challenges are allowed, and you don't need a blog to participate.

I used to read quite a bit of nonfiction, but haven't read much lately; so I'm hoping this challenge will help get me back in the habit.  I'll be signing up at the "Dilettante" Level (1-5 books), and during the year I'll be tracking my progress over on my challenge blog (HERE).

Teaser Tuesdays: Flora and Ulysses

This week my teaser lines come from the 2014 Newbery Medal winner, Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo -- one of the books I'm planning to read for the 2016 Newbery Reading Challenge. This snippet is from page 82 of the hardback edition:

Ulysses sat up straighter in his Bootsie Boots shoe box. He looked at Tootie. He nodded.
"I was moved by your poetry," said Tootie to the squirrel.

I don't really know what's going on there -- I haven't actually read any of the book yet. But I love the idea of a squirrel poet.

I've been in a bit of a reading "slump" since the beginning of this year. Well, actually more than a bit -- only finished two books in January, and haven't been able to settle down and do any reading at all in February. But I've found that reading children's books is usually a very good way to get myself going again. So, I have high hopes for the rest of the month.

Teaser Tuesdays is hosted by Jenn at A Daily Rhythm. 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: Dreaming Spies

Dreaming Spies (Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Mysteries #13), by Laurie R. King (Bantam, 2015). These are the book's opening lines:

"It's a rock, Holmes."
Sherlock Holmes raised his tea-cup to his lips. He swallowed absently, then glanced down in surprise, as if the homecoming drink had brought to mind the face of a long-forgotten friend. "Is it the water from our well that makes Mrs Hudson's tea so distinctive," he mused, "or the milk from Mrs Philpott's cows?"
My lack of reply had no effect on his pursuit of the idea.

Initial Thoughts:

I'm a huge Sherlock Holmes fan, so I had mixed emotions about a new series of novels using him as a character -- generally dubious about the enterprise, even though glad to see him back. That opening seemed intriguing if not terribly exciting; at least it didn't turn me off. And after a few more chapters, I'm still reading, but it's been slow-going. I think the problem might just be that, once again, I've jumped into the middle of a long-running series without having read any of the earlier books. I know that's usually a mistake, and I really should STOP doing it. But, anyway ... I'm hoping things will improve as the book and I go on together.

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.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

So, Monday. And almost the end of January. How did that happen?

Most years, I get through at least half a dozen books in January. But for some reason, I'm having a hard time getting started this year. So far in 2016, I've finished two books:

The Last September

by Nina de Gramont

(Algonquin Books, September 2015)

Lilies That Fester

(A Mrs. Malory Mystery)

by Hazel Holt (2001)

I enjoyed both of them, and I've got reviews in the works, but they're not quite ready for posting yet. This week, definitely.

And right now, I've got two books started. One e-book:

The Children's Home

by Charles Lambert

(Scribner, January 2016)

...and one paper:

Dreaming Spies

by Laurie R. King

(Bantam, paperback edition, October 2015)

The Laurie King book is an Early Reviewer book from Library Thing that I've had since last October. (!!!???) Yes, I've really got some catching up to do!

But right now, I'm going to be catching up on what everybody else is reading.

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.