Random House - 2013
"Most men in my family make widows of their wives and orphans of their children. I am the exception. My only child, Kate, was struck and killed by a car while riding her bicycle home from the beach one afternoon in September, a year ago. She was thirteen. My wife, Susan, and I separated soon afterward.
I was walking through the woods when Kate died. I'd asked her the day before if she wanted to pack a lunch and go to the Enon River to hike around and feed the birds and maybe rent a canoe. The birds were tame and ate seed from people's hands. From the first time I'd taken her she'd been enchanted with the chickadees and titmice and nuthatches that pecked seeds from her palm, and when she was younger she'd treated feeding the birds as if they depended on it."
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What do you think? Would you keep reading? Feel free to join us by linking your First Chapter post below. 
I sure will continue reading. I am quite intrigued!
ReplyDeleteThe first paragraph is already heartbreaking. I don't do too well with emotional stories (meaning: I cry too much) but I'd love to find out if the story would revolve around his daughter's death or if it will be something about the place.
ReplyDeleteI would keep reading although the opening paragraph does strike fear into my heart.
ReplyDeleteI'd keep reading. There is a sad tone to it but yet seems hopeful.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really sad opening paragraph, but I would reading on to see if the story gets any happier.
ReplyDeleteI would continue reading it....
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like it's going to be sad. I have an ARC, but will probably wait until after the holidays to read it.
ReplyDeleteThough sad I presume this is going to be something quite different???
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great story. I am curious to know if it picks up.
ReplyDeleteI'm intrigued and would be curious to go on
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if I'd continue. It sounds so devastatingly sad in just the first two paragraphs.
ReplyDeletethis one sounds really good to me. I'd read it. Have a nice day.
ReplyDeleteI would keep reading this book. I've had it on my wishlist for a month or so now after I read about it in a magazine. I hope you enjoy it, Diane. It sounds like it's a sad book.
ReplyDeleteI'll probably read this one. Sounds a little sad but promising, plus it has birds in it and I already have a copy on my shelf.
ReplyDeleteA sad story...but I tend to love those....thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIt is a very sad story. The word "Enon" is interesting. It's not a title of a poem is it? Would love to know the definition. Here, it's the name of a river.
ReplyDeleteA sad intro, but I am intrigued enough to know where the story is going.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a long time, Diane! Thanks for hosting this. I just posted my First Chapter/First Paragraph and look forward to hearing more about Enon.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly has a unique opening hook. I would read it out of curiosity and because I enjoy contemporary family fiction. I like a book that touches my emotions, and if it makes me sad, well it is still touching me. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great opening - I'll have to add it to my pile. This is my first posting for this meme and it's fun to see all the other choices.
ReplyDeleteI'd read more, hoping that the rest of the book wouldn't be as sad as the opening.
ReplyDeleteSounds too sad for me to keep reading.
ReplyDeleteNo, I can not read a book with such a potential to make me sad...
ReplyDeleteNo, I can not read a book with such a potential to make me sad...
ReplyDeleteThere is no way I could read this, just the first bit made me too sad.
ReplyDelete