Aussie Readers discussion
Archives
>
The first sentence game
Yes, I just checked, and I'm right, so here's my first sentence, before I go off for a walk in the sunshine:"A fog of tobacco smoke and damp clammy air hit her as she entered the cafe."
Phrynne wrote: "That would have been a big help! I went looking for books with "darkness" in the title and struck lucky almost straight away."Flying into Australia, I realized with a sigh that I had forgotten a..."
BTW, I loved his description of the then PM!
Marianne wrote: "Yes, I just checked, and I'm right, so here's my first sentence, before I go off for a walk in the sunshine:"A fog of tobacco smoke and damp clammy air hit her as she entered the cafe.""
Hope you enjoyed your walk in the sunshine, Marianne! Any clues available...?
A lot has happened while I've been out for my morning walk :)It sounds like something set in England, maybe a mystery?
Carolyn wrote: "A lot has happened while I've been out for my morning walk :)It sounds like something set in England, maybe a mystery?"
yes set in England, British author, won a Costa Novel Award
although the cafe in the first sentence is in Germany
Is it Life After Life? I remember that opened with a cafe scene involving Hitler, although I would have guessed it was in Vienna for some reason.
Spot on, Carolyn. I started it this morning, am enjoying it very much. Your turn!
One of my favourite books this year Marianne :)Oops, I'm about to go to the movies. I'll choose one from my favourite book of the year (that should give it away) and maybe Marianne can check it if someone guesses so you can move on.
"The eleventh apartment had only one closet, but it did have a sliding glass door that opened onto a small balcony, from which he could see a man sitting across the way, outdoors in only a T-shirt and shorts even though it was October, smoking."
Hint: It was shortlisted but didn't win the Booker.
I think quite a few ARs have read this one. I haven't, but I looked it up so I can confirm any guesses....
Oh, you've changed your avi, but I can't quite figure out what that is....
yes, it looks like a woman in a long white dress with pages floating around. Explain?
OK, LOL, now we stick-in-the-muds just have to get used to not seeing the lovely lolly-lips ;)
Michael wrote: "Not much to explain Marianne other than i liked the picture. :)"I'll miss the sugar-lips too Michael!
I'm back and don't know the book. Maybe a clue?
Is it on your top 5 list Michael?
Mod
That's Ok Brenda, no rush :)
Michael wrote: "Yes it is in my top 5 list Carolyn. :)"That's slightly helpful, but all of your top 5 reads are by women, Michael!!
So I've read two of your top five - The Book of Lost and Found and A Time to Run and I don't think it's either of those. I don't think it sounds like an opening for a book called The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making. So that narrows it down to Carol or Weightless.
Getting warmer? Anyone else want to have a guess?
Ok, here's one that I know quite a few of our readers have read and loved:"That doesn't sound like a school trivia night" said Mrs Patty Ponder to Marie Antoinette.
Carolyn wrote: "Ok, here's one that I know quite a few of our readers have read and loved:"That doesn't sound like a school trivia night" said Mrs Patty Ponder to Marie Antoinette."
That has to be Big Little Lies!
This is another very popular one."She's buried beneath a silver birch tree, down towards the old train tracks, her grave marked with a cairn."
Most of the people who have commented on this thread have read this book, I think - except Marianne, Dale, Julie and Stef, as far as I can tell.
Michael wrote: "That would have to be The Girl on the Train?"That is correct, Michael - as I said - VERY popular! You're up!
Michael wrote: "This one may not be an easy one but i will be here for a few hours to give clues."We didn't notice right away.""
So. First clue??!
I don't think it's one I've read. And I'm going out soon. See you all in 2016 if I don't check GR throughout the evening!!
I don't know - I've just looked at your books read in 2013 and the blurbs and the author bios, and in some cases checked the previews available and I can't see anything... Or is it a book in a series? I didn't look at books in series...And I'd love it if anyone else wants to jump in and help me out!!
Do you think I should look for a first sentence, or do you think interest is waning, Michael? Do we need to take a break for a bit and anyone can resurrect it if they're interested? I don't mind looking, but seems like it's only you and I playing, at present!!
Mod
Well, I've had a lot of turns, so I'll leave it and see if anyone else would like a turn at posting a first sentence for other people to guess.
Mod
Brenda wrote: "But because you guessed the answer Kathryn, it's your turn;)"I don't think people are very interested at the moment, but if anyone is keen, I am happy to allow someone else to have a turn!
I'm watching too, but I didn't know the answer to that one, so didn't post anything. I have one, think it would be classified as Non-fiction but a few here have read it. It's on my TBR. Australian author.
"Once there was a hard-working bloke who lived in a small Victorian country town with his wife and their three young sons."
I've been busy cooking all morning so haven't checked in before now.Do you know if it's one I've read this year Marianne? If so I have an inkling of what it might be.
Mod
Do you know if it's one I've read this year Marianne? If so I have an inkling of what it might be."
Not sure you've read any this year yet Carolyn?? ;)
@ Brenda LOL!@ Carolyn, I will check your last year's list!!
Carolyn, you did read it last year, not that long ago.I have to go have a shower now, just been for a swim at Woonona, weather lovely but the waves were dumpers, not a lot of fun
Brenda wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "I've been busy cooking all morning so haven't checked in before now.Do you know if it's one I've read this year Marianne? If so I have an inkling of what it might be."
Not sure yo..."
Lol Brenda! :)
Marianne wrote: "Carolyn, you did read it last year, not that long ago.I have to go have a shower now, just been for a swim at Woonona, weather lovely but the waves were dumpers, not a lot of fun"
Is it This House of Grief by Helen Garner?
Mod
Do you know if it's one I've read this year Marianne? If so I have an inkling of what it might be..."
Couldn't resist;)
Sorry to take so long, had dinner then couldn't tear myself away from Esio Trot.Yes Carolyn, you are right
Sorry I stalled it by not checking back. Yes Carolyn was right that it was The Eyre Affair although I am glad the game went on!
Aussie Readers
Books mentioned in this topic
Matilda (other topics)Great Expectations (other topics)
I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban (other topics)
Midnight’s Children (other topics)
Water for Elephants (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Roald Dahl (other topics)Salman Rushdie (other topics)
Tess Gerritsen (other topics)
Tess Gerritsen (other topics)
Douglas Adams (other topics)
More...
And I don't think I've read your book, Phrynne... We've got a lot of read books in common, but I don't think any of them were non-fiction.
Anyone else?