Currently Reading First Lines

[KimeyDiann]

I used to read a lot of books like this, but not much any more. It would take reading the synopsis and the cover to make me interested in it, just the first two sentences wouldn't have done it for me.

[Lisa]

KimeyDiann wrote: "I started listening to Roses of May, it is the sequel to The Butterfly Garden.



"Her name is Darla Jean Carmichael, and she's you..."

I like the beginning, KimeyDiann. However, seeing that it's the sequel to the Butterfly Garden puts me off completely. That book and I are not friends, as you know ;)

[Cherie]

Nope, I doubt if I would go on at all, Kimey, especially not after reading the story line for the first book. That genre is NOT for me, typically.

[Janice, Moderator]

It's an intriguing start, Kimey. I'm not sure I'd be pulled in. It's possible. First what? And how does the narrator know what went on in the future. It's seems to be oddly constructed.

[Sarah]

I love what you said there Sandra about a goof first line, a good first paragraph etc.

[Peggy]

Sandra wrote: "Peggy wrote: "I like this thread. I never single out first sentences, just read them as part of their paragraph, but singled out they can be very interesting."

Totally agree. Some time ago I start..."

There's truth to that. I think most people will read the first chapter anyway, but if the beginning is very good you might be more forgiving if it doesn't stay that good, because you're more engaged in the book.

[KimeyDiann]

Janice wrote: "It's an intriguing start, Kimey. I'm not sure I'd be pulled in. It's possible. First what? And how does the narrator know what went on in the future. It's seems to be oddly constructed."

Those were my exact thoughts and why it wouldn't have caught my attention. But since I loved The Butterfly Garden, unlike Lisa, that is the biggest part of why I'm reading the book to start with. :)

So far it has a very different feel to it than "butterfly" did. But I'm having the problem with The Roses of May that so many others had with "butterfly," the narration changes are very abrupt. I'm listening on audio and there are 3 different POV's and only 2 narrators. When it changes from the female to the male narrator, it surprised me every time. And I have a little trouble at first realizing the male narrator's POV has changed. It doesn't take but a couple of seconds to figure it out because of the change in style, but it still takes me off guard.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Oh, that's not good, Kimey. Too bad it isn't better narration. There should be two different male narrators to help with that.

[Anne (Booklady)]

I enjoyed Roses of May - 3 Star read for me :)

[Janice, Moderator]

I'm about to start The Red Tree


"I'm almost awake now, starting in on my second cup of coffee, sitting here at the kitchen table, and writing this in the spiral-bound notebook I bought in Coventry, a little over a week ago."

Oof! I hope that run-on sentence isn't a indicator of what is to come. Where was the editor? I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

[Peggy]

I agree Janice. Content-wise it's okay though, I'd read on.

[Janice, Moderator]

Good grief! I'm on a roll with the run-on sentences.


Those Who Wish Me Dead


"On the last day of Jace Wilson's life, the fourteen-year-old stood on a quarry ledge staring at cool, still water and finally understood something his mother had told him years before: Trouble might come for you when you showed fear, but trouble double-downed when you when you lied about being afraid."

[Sarah]

Ooh, yes. That second I found difficult to read in particular. I think i'd skip the first one - it doesn't make me want to read on. I'd give the second one a bit longer perhaps.

[Peggy]

The second makes me curious too.

[Janice, Moderator]

Judging just from the first sentences, the second one appeals to me more. I guess I'll find out shortly.

[Lisa]

I started House of Names by Colm Tóibín
"I have become acquainted with the smell of death. The sickly, sugary smell that wafted in the wind towards the rooms in this palace".

[Sarah]

Well that one made me turn my nose up. But I'm curious.

[Lisa]

Sarah wrote: "Well that one made me turn my nose up. But I'm curious."

Not the most appealing of starts, is it? Mind you, it is a retelling of an Ancient Greek tragedy so I guess it's par with the course.

[Janice, Moderator]

I've got that one on my wishlist, so I'm curious as to your response when you finish. :)

[Lisa]

Janice wrote: "I've got that one on my wishlist, so I'm curious as to your response when you finish. :)"

I will let you know, Janice.

[Anne (Booklady)]

Lisa, I'd read that one :)

[KimeyDiann]

Anne (Booklady) wrote: "I enjoyed Roses of May - 3 Star read for me :)"

I gave it 4 stars. I enjoyed it, but not as much as The Butterfly Garden which I loved. I had the bad guy figured out really quickly, and that sort of takes the fun out of it for me. I really enjoyed all of the characters and getting to know more about the detectives from the first book.

[KimeyDiann]

Of Janice's two books, the first one doesn't do anything for me, but the second one I like. I'll be checking the synopsis for it and possibly adding to my TBR.

And while Lisa's books sounds stinky, I'm interested in learning more about it as well.

[KimeyDiann]

Speaking of run on sentences, I just started this one on audio:

"The way I got the diamond on my face happened like this.
I was sleeping in the back of our hauling truck one night after Pauline shut down our hot dog cart and Ellis closed the merri-go-round and the Ferris wheel, and then, after every one of the stars had blinked out for the night so no one could see, that is when an angel came and kissed me on the cheek."



Beholding Bee

[Cherie]

I had to go read the story summary, even if it was a long sentence, Kimey. I didn't add it to my TBR, but if I came across a copy, I would probably read it.

[Kristie, Moderator]

I would keep reading that, Kimey. I was interested enough to go to read the book blurb and add it to my maybe read list.

[Janice, Moderator]

I'm a bit like Cherie on that one. That is definitely an example of a run-on sentence. :)

[KimeyDiann]

The narrator of the audiobook made those two sentences much smoother. I would probably get hung up on the punctuation a lot if I were physically reading it. Things like that can take me out of a really good story.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Yes, Kimey. Books with long run on sentences etc tend to be better in audio format where you can't see it.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

My back and legs and head hurt as if I've been travelling non-stop for days, and Dilek laughs everytime I complain.

"Toughen up, white girl."

"Who are you to talk? " I shoot back. "This is the first time you've been home in fifteen years. "

She laughs again, slaps me on the shoulder, making me wince. We're at the port, waiting for the ferry. It's uncomfortable with both of us sitting on my backpack; my arse bones ache, and she keeps shoving me every time I wriggle.

[Sarah]

You sure you didn't write that Rusalka? Sounds like it could be your reality what with travelling around.

[Margo]

LOL my thoughts exactly! I thought I'd wandered onto the "watch'a doing" thread!

[Peggy]

Haha me too! I even scrolled up again to check!

[Lori Z]

Lol. I read that 1st part and where it said Dilek laughs, I was like, did she mean Lexx? Maybe she's traveling with others? Then figured out it was in the book.

[Janice, Moderator]

She's a tease! No mention of the name of the book. She's testing us to figure out which of the books she took has those opening lines.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Lol not me. But as you all say, very relevant at the moment.

And yes, I forgot to link the book. I was running late to meet Kirila for a drink. It is Bone, Ash, Sky by Katerina Cosgrove (if someone could link for me please?)

[Margo]

Bone Ash Sky is the book Rusalka was teasing us with ;-)

[Peggy]

The first lines really caught my intention so I clicked on the book link for more information. Turns out it's already on my TBR.

[Sarah]

Ooh, enjoy your meet up Kirila and Rusalka!

[Janice, Moderator]

Based on the first lines, I would read it. I'll be interested in your thoughts on this one, Rusalka.

[Sandra, Moderator]

Great you are meeting, Rusalka and Kirila! I feel like starting a tour round the world stopping at YLTOers'!

[Janice, Moderator]

That would be fun!

[KimeyDiann]

I thought the same as the others when I first read Rus's comment! Too funny. I like that beginning, I would keep reading.

[Lisa]

I started The Observations by Jane Harris
"My missus she often said to me, 'Now then Bessy, don't be calling me missus'. She said this especially when the minister was coming for his tea. My missus wanted me to call her 'marm' but I always forgot. At first I forgot by accident and then I forgot on purpose just to see the look on her face".

[Lisa]

Rusalka wrote: "Lol not me. But as you all say, very relevant at the moment.

And yes, I forgot to link the book. I was running late to meet Kirila for a drink. It is Bone, Ash, Sky by Katerina Cosgrove (if someon..."

Enjoy your meet up, Rusalka and Kirilia!

[Sarah]

Sandra wrote: "Great you are meeting, Rusalka and Kirila! I feel like starting a tour round the world stopping at YLTOers'!"

That would be awesome!

[Janice, Moderator]

Lisa wrote: "I started The Observations by Jane Harris
"My missus she often said to me, 'Now then Bessy, don't be calling me missus'. She said ..."

I went to look at the book page and discovered it's already on my wishlist. I would definitely keep reading.

[Anne (Booklady)]

Prologue

"This is the story of a lover’s triangle, I suppose you’d say—Arnie Cunningham, Leigh Cabot, and, of course, Christine. But I want you to understand that Christine was there first."

Can anyone guess what book?

(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)], of course.

[Cherie]

I like that one, Lisa. I would keep reading.

[Sarah]

I had an inkling it was that Anne although I've never read it. I do want to though.