Tuesday, December 13, 2011

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros


Every Tuesday, I'll be posting the opening paragraph (maybe two) of a book I decided to read based on the opening paragraph (s). Feel free to grab the banner and play along. This week's "intro" is from a review copy, so please realize that the final copy could be different.

January 23, 2012 - WW Norton Co
(ARTHUR) 

"The first thing you must know about me is that I am colossally fat. When I knew you I was what one might call plump but I am no longer plump.  I eat what I want & furthermore I eat whatever I want.  For years I have made very little effort to reduce the amount that I eat for I have seen no cause to.  Despite this I am neither immobile nor bedridden but I do feel winded when I walk more than six or seven steps, & I do feel very shy and sort of encased in something as if I were a cello or an expensive gun.

 
"I have no way of knowing exactly what I weigh but I estimate that it is between five and six hundred pounds. The last time I went to a doctor's office was years ago and back then I weighed four hundred eighty pounds and they had to put me on a special scale.  The doctor looked at me & told me I was surely on a path toward early death."

Would you continue reading this one? I definitely plan to, but am curious why (even through it is and ARC) that both "and", and the ampersand..." &" were used in the first two paragraphs?
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24 comments:

  1. StaciDecember 13, 2011 at 6:06 AM

    I have this one on my TBR list. I would keep reading it!

    Here's mine: http://lifeinthethumb.blogspot.com/2011/12/first-chapter-first-paragraph-tuesday.html

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  2. HarveeDecember 13, 2011 at 6:45 AM

    Not sure I'd read this one - though I'd love to read a review of it!

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  3. Paulita December 13, 2011 at 7:23 AM

    That's funny that you noticed the and plus the ampersand. I skimmed right over it. The book sounds interesting, although it might make me eat more while I read it. Here's Mine

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  4. JoAnnDecember 13, 2011 at 7:37 AM

    I doubt I'd keep reading this one. Very interesting both 'and' and '&' are in the first paragraph. Wonder if it will be changed in the finished product...

    Here's my Tuesday Intro:
    http://lakesidemusing.blogspot.com/2011/12/tuesday-intro-howards-end-is-on-landing.html

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  5. KayeDecember 13, 2011 at 7:40 AM

    I would keep reading too. Your paragraph's definitely hooked me.

    My post is up now.

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  6. DeniseinVADecember 13, 2011 at 8:02 AM

    I would be very interested in reading this book. Hope you're having a good week so far. The sun is shining in this part of Virginia. I'll be wrapping up and going out to enjoy it soon.

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  7. Laurel-Rain SnowDecember 13, 2011 at 8:27 AM

    OMG! This one sounds as fascinating as watching a train wreck...in other words, I would keep reading!

    Great cover, too.

    Here's
    MY TT POST and
    MY WEBSITE

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  8. ZibileeDecember 13, 2011 at 9:33 AM

    Oh my, this one sounds sort of disturbing, but I would continue to read it based on those first paragraphs. I wounder what you will think of it!

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  9. BarbaraDecember 13, 2011 at 10:07 AM

    ". . . a cello or an expensive gun"? Since I've been fighting a weight problem all my adult life, I don't know if this would be horrible or an incentive to stay on my never-ending diet. :) Truly, I don't think I would read it.

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  10. Lenasledgeblog.comDecember 13, 2011 at 10:24 AM

    Sounds so good. Reminds me of one of my short stories, Substitute. Would really like to read this one.

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  11. UnknownDecember 13, 2011 at 10:32 AM

    I'm not sure about this book. I would definitely look it up and read a summary of it which, hopefully, help me decide if I want to read more of this book.

    The use of '&' and 'and' is interesting. I wonder if it's intentional or a proofreading issue....although it seems intentional since the use goes by paragraph.
    Very interesting!

    My First Chapter is posted:
    Amy's FCFPTI 12.13.11

    Enjoy!

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  12. kayerjDecember 13, 2011 at 10:53 AM

    I'm not sure I'd read this one . . . My intro comes from a story about Santa's Reindeer. kaye—the road goes ever ever on

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  13. stepfordmomto2@yahoo.comDecember 13, 2011 at 11:08 AM

    Of course I would read this. Grabbed me right off. Great pick.

    This week is #2 in the Crasher/NTSB series by Dana Haynes

    Breaking Point

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  14. Nise' December 13, 2011 at 12:52 PM

    I would keep reading. The cover makes it look like something has happened.

    Mine is here.

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  15. Brian's Home BlogDecember 13, 2011 at 6:46 PM

    I don't think I would read that one, but I would probably have a snack instead!

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  16. DCMetroreaderDecember 13, 2011 at 8:12 PM

    What a beginning! This one had me at the first paragraph. Going to add it to me TBR pile.

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  17. Dawn @ sheIsTooFondOfBooksDecember 13, 2011 at 9:21 PM

    I loved this book! Liz Moore shows us the tender side of several people who we might "overlook" in our daily lives.

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  18. TracyDecember 14, 2011 at 12:38 PM

    Sorry, this one doesn't really appeal to me.

    I do like this meme of yours, Diane, I hope you're going to continue it for next year.

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  19. Book DragonDecember 14, 2011 at 3:06 PM

    I would keep reading, am looking forward to your review

    here's mine

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  20. CarolDecember 14, 2011 at 3:22 PM

    Not sure if this is one I'd pick up or not.

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  21. JennersDecember 14, 2011 at 8:36 PM

    I would definitely want to read this … but the use of the ampersand is odd.

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  22. CathDecember 15, 2011 at 9:41 AM

    Well, it convinced me, too.

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  23. DarleneDecember 15, 2011 at 12:36 PM

    I saw this one a whle back and was intrigued by it. I would read it.

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  24. TheBookGirlDecember 16, 2011 at 10:31 AM

    I've been waiting for this one; I'm first on the library hold list. I never know when reading ARCs how many of the grammatical oddities will make it into the finished product. This does seem strange -- the use of both.

    ReplyDelete

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