Tuesday, June 26, 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 pick is from an eGalley (courtesy of NetGalley) that I'm reading right now.

Center Street - Hachette - 2012

(PROLOGUE)

"Every living thing dies. There's no stopping it.

In my experience--and I've had more than my share--endings rarely go well.  There is absolutely nothing life affirming about death.  You'd think that, given the prevalence and irrevocability of death, whoever or whatever  put the whole thing together would've given a little more attention to the process of exit.  Maybe next time.

When I was alive, a critical part of my job was to facilitate the endings.  As a veterinarian, I was a member of the one healing profession that not only was authorized to kill, but in fact was expected to do so.  I save life, and then I took it away." 

What do you think, would you read on? 
 (In case you are interested, it's quite good)

38 comments:

  1. Well, I disagree with the first paragraph. I mean, life is preparing us with every season, showing us that life springs forth, grows, flourishes and then falls away at the end. I think this narrator hasn't been paying attention -- not that death is easy, but it is expected. I'll be interested to see what you think about this. Here's Mine

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    1. I see your point, but I do like the setup of this story, the way she is observing and telling her story from the other side.

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  2. I'm not sure I would continue with this one.

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    1. As I mentioned to others, it's not as sad as one is led to believe:)

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  3. Ooo, this selection definitely grabbed me right away. Will you be posting a review or have I missed it already?

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    1. Meg, I'm almost 3/4 through and will post a review when i finish. Try it sometime:)

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  4. I think I would have to ponder on that one.

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  5. I would definitely read on - and I'm not even a dog person. Right now I seem to be doing a lot of re-reading. Mrs. Pollifax!

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    1. i don't often reread, but it is a sign of a book that made a huge impact when I do:) thanks 4e stopping by.

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  6. I would read this for sure. I'm always a little wary of books about animals because I have trouble reading about injured or hurt animals. But this book sound great!

    {I am trying to post my First Chapter pick for today but I'm having issues with Blogger :o( }

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  7. Finally, I was able to post my First Paragraph First Chapter -
    Amy's Tuesday Intro

    I hope you like it!

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    1. yes, so far so good. I had google problems all day today (email).

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  8. I have Unsaid on my iPod and am waiting for the right time to "read" it.

    Since it is summer and baseball season, I am reading One Shot at Forever - A Small Town, An Unlikely Coach, and a Magical Baseball Season by Chris Ballard.

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  9. That snippet has me wanting to read on!

    Mine is here.

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  10. Oh, that sounds very good. I would keep reading. Thanks for stopping by today. kaye—the road goes ever ever on

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  11. I really like the tone. Just from this paragraph... sardonic, humorous and clever. Sounds like a good read.

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  12. I doubt I'd keep going as it's not what I usually read. However, I do think the first paragraph is very clever - to talk about endings at the very beginning.

    Mine is here: Joyfully Retired

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  13. This intro is extremely compelling (not to mention a great cover too). I've often thought how hard to must be to be a vet as most are animal lovers, but they have to facilitate a lot of deaths too (although in most cases I would hope it is for the animal's sake not just b/c no one wanted the pet).

    I'm adding this on my TBR list now! Thanks for spotlighting!

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    1. It's not really sad, and actually the alternate cover doesn't even have a pooch on it.

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    1. Maybe not if there were furry cats on the cover though huh?

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  15. Definitely a compelling intro, but maybe not a book for me. I'll be curious to hear what you think of it.

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    1. It's funny there is another cover that does not have a sad dog face on it --probably more appropriate.

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  16. I'm sort of in JoAnn's camp. even though it sounds good, I would be reluctant to keep reading because of the whole dog dying thing!

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    1. Maybe that's a bit misleading as it is not that sad really yet 3/4 through.

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  17. I decided long ago after seeing the movie "Old Yeller" to not go to a movie advertised as heartwarming. Great intro, but sad occupation.

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  18. I would continue on having worked in a veterinarian's office for over three years.

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  19. Very thought-provoking, although I am not sure I could read this right now.

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  20. I think I would. I am also going to follow this meme as it gives such a lot of new reading ideas!

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  21. I would have to get a box of tissues before continuing on I think.

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