Tuesday, May 10, 2011

First Chapter~First Paragraph~Tuesday Intros

Hoping to read MOSTLY books I'll truly love, and books that are a bit different from what others are currently reading. I've begun selecting what I read next, by whether the first paragraph grabs me. I know this isn't very scientific and I risk passing over some good books in the process, but for now, this is my book selection method.

Every Tuesday, I'll be posting the opening paragraph (maybe two) of my current read.  Last week's choice was Faith; Jennifer Haigh (no review yet; it was pretty good.).
 
This weeks pick:  School for the Blind; Dennis McFarland.


"HIS LIFE'S WORK and ambition fulfilled. Francis Brim believed the only metamorphosis left him was a slow, affable decline toward death, and so at the age of seventy-three he returned to the town of his youth to retire.  He had been a news photographer--a witness, a messenger amid the world's fire and ashes--and he figured he had earned not only the right to let the world go, but also the poise to let it go with authority. He would read, write, sleep, visit the beach, fish, garden a bit, whatever he pleased--the pastimes, he imagined, of solitary old people of some accomplishment. The medley of images he assembled for this retirement included a cottage with a porch on which he might sit and muse over the prospects of the very next hour, but soon after he had settled into just such a place, he found himself absorbed in entirely different, unexpected ways."

Would you give the book a try, based on the opening paragraph?

(If you care to join in, feel free to grab the image.)
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20 comments:

  1. TracyMay 10, 2011 at 3:18 AM

    Yep, I'd probably read it!
    Here's mine:
    http://the-book-addict.blogspot.com/2011/05/tuesday-intros-histories-by-herodotus.html

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  2. MishaMay 10, 2011 at 3:42 AM

    The opening paragraph seems a little sad. It makes me very curious about the book.

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  3. JennaMay 10, 2011 at 7:48 AM

    This one does sound good. I can see this being a set up for a life reflection/memory novel...maybe a story of regret? Hope you enjoy!

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  4. Brian's Home BlogMay 10, 2011 at 9:17 AM

    I think that is a good intro, I sort of want to know what's up too!

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  5. Paulita May 10, 2011 at 9:35 AM

    Yes, I'd read it. Photojournalists are used to lots of excitement so if something drives him from his quiet life, it's bound to be exciting.

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  6. BarbaraMay 10, 2011 at 10:05 AM

    Very intriguing and as a retiree I am sure I would like this book.

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  7. ZibileeMay 10, 2011 at 10:52 AM

    I think I would read this one as well. The title also really intrigues me.

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  8. Confuzzled ShannonMay 10, 2011 at 10:57 AM

    I don't think I would. It is a paragraph that would take me a couple read overs to understand what is being said.

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  9. stepfordmomto2@yahoo.comMay 10, 2011 at 10:57 AM

    Hi Diane,

    Thanks for stopping by.

    This weeks First Paragraph
    http://booksnwhatnot.blogspot.com/2011/05/first-chapter-first-paragraph-tuesday_10.html

    I am also hosting a book giveaway:
    http://booksnwhatnot.blogspot.com/2011/05/may-book-giveaway.html

    Please stop by if you have a chance.

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  10. AnonymousMay 10, 2011 at 11:04 AM

    I think I would read this. It's an interesting start.

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  11. Yvonne @ Fiction Books ReviewsMay 10, 2011 at 11:34 AM

    Hi Diane,

    This is definitely one that I would want to read. I really enjoy fictional life reflections, especially if there is a bit of a mystery involved, although strangely enough I am not a big fan of biographies.

    I have a section on my blog called first lines, because like yourself, I believe that the first few lines of a book, although the most difficult to write so they say, often set the whole scene in my mind and help to define the quality of the story and whether I am going to like it or not.

    I also subscribe to a Friday meme, started by Katy at 'A Few Pages More', which she calls 'Book Beginnings'.

    I have left a link if you want to stop by and take a look, hope to see you there maybe.

    http://fewmorepages.blogspot.com/search/label/Book%20Beginnings%20on%20Friday

    Yvonne

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  12. SukoMay 10, 2011 at 12:39 PM

    This sounds interesting! I'd read more.

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  13. DCMetroreaderMay 10, 2011 at 1:53 PM

    Yup b/c it sounds like my ideal retirement too!

    I joined again this week too BTW.

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  14. Bellezza May 10, 2011 at 7:09 PM

    I promise I'm going to join in on this meme of yours one day. I love the premise!

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  15. Bonnie JacobsMay 10, 2011 at 7:42 PM

    Would I read it? Yes! I am 71 and retired, and I was so intrigued by the first paragraph that I looked up the book's summary and have already put it on hold at my library.

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  16. Meg @ A Bookish AffairMay 10, 2011 at 7:55 PM

    Love your new meme :)

    Here's mine:
    http://abookishaffair.blogspot.com/2011/05/first-chapter-first-paragraph-tuesday.html

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  17. Good CompanyMay 10, 2011 at 8:16 PM

    I'm a patient reader, so I can give a book time to develop. I would have to be in the right mood for this, unless it had a terrific cover. :)

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  18. AnonymousMay 10, 2011 at 11:33 PM

    I like the cover, but the opening paragraph doesn't seem to go with it. So I'm not sure if I would've kept reading.

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  19. JennersMay 11, 2011 at 9:03 PM

    I would probably want to keep going. While not brilliant or anything, the first paragraph kind of ends with a twist that makes you want to know more. These are fun!

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  20. StaciMay 12, 2011 at 3:27 PM

    I'm not sure if I would continue on or not....I think for me I need to read more of this one.

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Thanks for taking the time to visit and double thanks for any comments. If you ask a question in your comments, I will try to reply to it here, or by email if your settings allow me to do so. Thanks again for visiting.


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