Tuesday, May 1, 2012

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros


Every Tuesday, I'll be posting the opening paragraph (sometimes maybe a few) 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 selection is another book I've been curious about.

The Art of Hearing Heartbeats; Jan-Philipp Sendker
Other Press - January 2012


" THE OLD MAN'S eyes struck me first.  They rested deep in their sockets, and he seemed unable to take them off me.  Granted, everyone in the tea house was staring at me more or less unabashedly, but he was the most brazen.  As if I were some exotic creature he'd never seen before.

Trying too ignore him, I glanced around the tea house, a mere wooden shack with a few tables and chairs standing right on the dry, dusty earth.  Against, the far wall a glass display case exhibited pastries and rice cakes on which dozens of flies had settled.  Next to it, on a gas burner, water for the tea was boiling in a sooty kettle.  In one corner, orange-colored sodas were stacked in wooden crates.  I had never been in such a wretched hovel.  It was scorching hot.  The sweat ran down my temples and my neck.  My jeans clung to my skin.  I was sitting, getting my bearings, when all at once the old man stood up and approached me."

Have you read this one? Would you keep reading?
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31 comments:

  1. Melissa WiebeMay 1, 2012 at 1:34 AM

    I am looking forward to this one.

    Here is mine: http://jaynesbooks.blogspot.com/2012/04/first-chapter-first-paragaphs-tuesday.html

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    1. (Diane) Bibliophile By the SeaMay 1, 2012 at 7:04 AM

      Thanks for stopping by and off to check on your Tuesday intro as well.

      Delete
  2. MysticaMay 1, 2012 at 5:27 AM

    Nice and definitely will read!

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  3. Jo @ Booklover Book ReviewsMay 1, 2012 at 6:10 AM

    I love the title of this book, and I like the writing style - enjoy!

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  4. JoAnnMay 1, 2012 at 6:29 AM

    Nice intro! I haven't heard of this book, but would keep reading based on these first paragraphs. Hope you like it. Here's mine - it's our early summer book club selection:

    http://lakesidemusing.blogspot.com/2012/05/tuesday-intros-three-weissmanns-of.html

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    1. (Diane) Bibliophile By the SeaMay 1, 2012 at 7:06 AM

      Yes, that intro hooked me early on as well. Off to see your intro for today.

      Delete
  5. Paulita May 1, 2012 at 7:15 AM

    Ick. I can feel the wretchedness of the place. I'd keep going. Here's Mine

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    1. (Diane) Bibliophile By the SeaMay 1, 2012 at 7:22 AM

      I know, can't you just picture the flies on the goodies?...UGHHH

      Delete
  6. Laurel-Rain SnowMay 1, 2012 at 7:37 AM

    From the very first sentence, I am drawn into the setting; I can see everything the narrator sees and feel what she feels. I thoroughly enjoy this kind of opener and I'm in!

    Thanks for sharing...and although I've never heard of this one, I'm intrigued.

    Here's MY TUESDAY MEMES POST

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  7. KayeMay 1, 2012 at 8:31 AM

    Haven't heard of this one but it grabbed me right away. I'd keep reading.

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  8. JaneGSMay 1, 2012 at 8:46 AM

    Good opening scene--I'm intrigued. Is the old man going to be threatening or benign, pathetic or admirable.

    Love the title and the cover--I would have picked up this book in a bookstore, for sure.

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  9. HarveeMay 1, 2012 at 10:02 AM

    I'd keep reading. Makes you want to find out who, where, and what!

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  10. ZibileeMay 1, 2012 at 10:23 AM

    I just got this one on audio, and yes, I would definitely keep reading! That intro paragraph got me hooked!

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  11. Leslie (Under My Apple Tree)May 1, 2012 at 10:56 AM

    Hadn't heard of this one. It has an exotic sound to it. I'd read a little more before I decided if it's for me.

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  12. techeditorMay 1, 2012 at 10:58 AM

    I've been thinking of reading this book, too. So I'm glad I read the opening paragraphs. I'm turned off because of this: "Trying too ignore him." They misspell "to," and this is not an uncorrected proof copy. How could they miss that?

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  13. Nise' May 1, 2012 at 11:17 AM

    Very descriptive. I would keep reading to see what he would say/do.

    Mine is here.

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  14. UnknownMay 1, 2012 at 11:35 AM

    Here's mine: http://abigailannreading.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/first-chapter-first-paragraph-one-day.html

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  15. mpartykaMay 1, 2012 at 11:48 AM

    I'm back in the mood for good literature, fiction. This one sounds good!

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  16. Brian's Home BlogMay 1, 2012 at 12:58 PM

    I would want to find out what that dude is up to!

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  17. LayaMay 1, 2012 at 12:59 PM

    It sounds interesting; I'd keep reading. :D

    Mine is at http://simplengkaligayahan.blogspot.com/2012/05/first-chapter-first-paragraph-tuesday.html

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  18. AudraMay 1, 2012 at 1:32 PM

    I adore the cover but I'm not sure I'm totally grabbed yet (maybe because I can imagine the heat!).

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  19. stepfordmomto2@yahoo.comMay 1, 2012 at 1:33 PM

    This one might take a little more to capture my attention. This week I am reading The Prophet

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  20. StaciMay 1, 2012 at 9:12 PM

    What does he want/??? I would keep reading to see what's going to happen next!!

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    1. (Diane) Bibliophile By the SeaMay 1, 2012 at 9:37 PM

      Haven't really started it yet, but those first 2 TT hooked me into wanting more:)

      Delete
  21. Yvonne @ Fiction Books ReviewsMay 2, 2012 at 12:29 AM

    Hi Diane,

    Those lines were a great 'hook' for this book, although I did do some more research about both it and the author, just to make sure.

    This sounds like an amazing, very emotional debut novel and I just love the cover art as well.

    Thanks for sharing.

    Yvonne

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  22. UnknownMay 2, 2012 at 6:08 PM

    I would definitely keep reading this one. It's so interesting!

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  23. JennersMay 2, 2012 at 8:40 PM

    Hmmm…not sure this one would call to me.

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  24. DCMetroreaderMay 4, 2012 at 8:28 PM

    I'm uncertain about this one and could go either way. I will look forward to your thoughts.

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  25. KathleenMay 30, 2012 at 5:34 PM

    I would keep reading. I want to know what this old man is all about.

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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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