Tuesday, April 19, 2011

First Chapter~First Paragraph~Tuesday Intros


I'm feeling a little better since my fever broke, and with my head a little clearer, I was thinking how I often wish I had something to blog about on Tuesdays. It's one of those days when I stare at the blank screen and usually come up empty.

Well, yesterday afternoon (home sick from work and reading), I started a new book, with a fabulous opening paragraph, and a light bulb went off. Why don't I share this fabulous opening paragraph with all my blogging buddies.

So in hoping to make this a weekly happening, every Tuesday, I'll drop what I'm doing and share with you the opening paragraph of my current read, which I suspect in some cases might be a yawner. ( I hope no one is doing this already on another day...if so, mea culpa...please forgive me).

So without further ado, this week's : First Chapter~First Paragraph~Tuesday Intro is from,

(1976 - Picador/St Martin's Press)
"Neither of the Grimes sisters would have a happy life, and looking back it always seemed that the trouble began with their parents divorce. That happened in 1930, when Sarah was nine years old and Emily was five. Their mother, who encouraged both girls to call her "Pookie," took them out of New York to a rented house in Tenafly, New Jersey, where she thought the schools would be better and where she hoped to launch a career in suburban real estate.  It didn't work out--very few of her plans for independence ever did--and they left Tenafly after two years, but it was a memorable time for the girls."

(Feel free to grab the image if you wish to join in)

22 comments:

  1. someone has a "Friday Firsts" but that only deals with the first sentence.

    I like this idea very much and will join you next week - unless I can get to it later today

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  2. Glad you're feeling better and hurray for The Easter Parade!! I'm reading a Yates biography now that is excellent. It's startling how much of EP is autobiographical. Yates is the younger sister, the mother has many characteristics of his own (her nickname was Dookie)...

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  3. I have heard of this book, and do have to admit that after reading that first paragraph, I would love to read this book. It sounds like it's got a lot going for it. I like this new feature, and am going to have to stay tuned for it!

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  4. What a great idea, Diane! I love opening lines. I'll try and post mine later.

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  5. Sounds like an interesting book. Enjoy reading while you recover from the fever!

    Book Dilettante

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  6. I am glad to hear that you're a bit better.
    The Easter Parade is a great book. I hope you're enjoying it :)

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  7. That's a great idea...I liked that one!

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  8. I'm glad to hear you are feeling better. The book sounds perfect for the week. Happy Easter.

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  9. Glad to hear your on the mend. Feel free to recover from being sick anytime if this is the books you bring us. This sounds great. I think I'm going to have to get this right away. And I love the first paragraph idea. What a fun way to entice us to new books.

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  10. Glad you are feeling better... what a great idea! I love the opening paragraphs, and will many times decide to read a book or not based on it.

    :0)

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  11. Hope you're feeling much better, and good idea!

    I think one of the best opening paragraphs I've ever read is the one from Salman Rushdie's The Ground Beneath Her Feet - but it's a long one. But I'll post it on my blog anyway.

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  12. Here's mine

    http://desktopretreat.blogspot.com/2011/04/tuesday-intros.html

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  13. Pookie??? Hmmmm I'd be very reluctant to call my mom that since it seems kind of "hokey".

    Glad to hear that fever broke... just remember when the stars come back... drink up water... you're in a haze but sit back... and count the stars on the ceiling ;)

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  14. Diane, I hope you are feeling 100% better soon. Interesting idea for a meme!

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  15. (P.S. I will add this to my Memes page.)

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  16. There's a "Book Beginnings" out there, but it's on Fridays. Here's one of my better ones, with a link to Katy, who hosts this meme:

    http://bonniesbooks.blogspot.com/2011/03/book-beginnings-sing-you-home.html

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  17. Thank you for writing about the beginning. In my own current novel, the beginning has been kind of poking at me, wanting me to change it. I was going to email my writers list and ask for favorite first lines or paragraphs. Now I'll just read yours. Oh, one suggestion, instead of the first paragraph of whatever you're reading (what if it's bad?) maybe you could post your favorite beginning of that week, or save some beginnings that you fell in love with. Just a thought that's purely selfish on my part.

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  18. Thanks Book Dragon; hope you post along.
    JoAnn, I just ordered the Yates auto bio based on your comment; thank.

    Heather, you must try Yates. I know you'll enjoy it.

    Trish, Glad u decided to join in.

    Harvee..thanks, I do feel better.

    Misha...glad u loved Easter Parade.

    Brian...thanks MEOW

    Kaye...I wasn't even thinking Easter when I pulled it off the shelf (maybe subconsciously..LOL)

    Lisa, Tracy, Aisle B, and Suko...Thanks for the well-wishes. I appreciate that.

    Bonnie, Thanks I was aware of the Friday meme, but this is a bit different.

    Good point Paulita, but I think I'll just post the 1st Chap, 1st paragraph of the best best I've read in the previous week.

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  19. Sounds like a good idea. I've always meant to read Yates, I look forward to your opinion of the novel.

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  20. Neat idea..and when I remember and if I have a good one, I'll join in from time to time.

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  21. Sounds wonderful, both the book and the idea. I always look forward to hearing about your reads and now get a chance to share in them.

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  22. Congratulations on your mew meme. Sorry I miss that you were sick. Have been out of town and still is. Glad you are feeling better.

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