Every Tuesday I host First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros where I share the first paragraph (sometimes 2) of a book I am reading or thinking of reading soon.
Valley Fever; Katherine Taylor
Farrar, Straus and Giroux - 2015
1.
"I don't return to places I've lived. I avoid my high school dorm by not going back to all of Massachusetts. In London, I'll avoid Holland Park so as not to be reminded of the basement flat on Addison Road. The furnished two-bedroom on Via Annia in Rome, the bright studio in the white brick building on West Eighty-fourth Street with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, the two bedroom in Prenzlauer Berg I shared with a publishing-heiress insomniac who would speak only Russian: some of those places were good for a while. Still, whole neighborhoods, whole cities can be ruined by the reasons you left."
What do you think -- keep reading or pass?
(feel free to join in by posting your link below)
(feel free to join in by posting your link below)
Great imagery! The place on W84th st sounds like my kind of pad!
ReplyDeleteYes, who among us wouldn't want those floor to ceiling bookshelves?
DeleteInteresting! I am curious about why the character won't revisit these places.
ReplyDeleteI know, me too Laurel - so many nice places too.
DeleteI like the intro you shared, Diane. It's reflective in such a way as to get me interested in the narrator's story.
ReplyDeleteAnxious to begin this one Wendy, but need to finish Finders Keepers first.
DeleteA very good beginning. I'd keep reading to find out the reasons why he left the places he lived. I hope its a good one for you Diane.
ReplyDeleteI am thinking its a woman but not sure.
DeleteHmmm. What makes the narrator feel this way?
ReplyDeleteSounds like she's running from something almost or someone?
DeleteI do love this opening, it paints a picture of the narrator's life in very few words. I think it is one many of us can relate too although hopefully not in such a large quantity.
ReplyDeleteI agree Cleo.
DeleteThat is such a good opening! Not only does that apartment in Rome sound amazing, but I think it's quite a recognizable thing. You leave places for a reason, and that reason could stop you from returning quite easily!
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting :) I hope you have a great week!
Juli @ Universe in Words
Thanks Juli, glad u liked the intro.
DeleteI have this on my list ... hope to get to it soon.
ReplyDeleteI'll be curious to read your thoughts.
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ReplyDeleteI like her style. I'd read on...
ReplyDeleteCuriousity makes me want to know more.
DeleteAdd me to list of people that want to know why going back is not a good thing. And I like the cover as well. Always good in my book. LOL
ReplyDeleteOne place I never like to go back is because I am sorry in some ways that I ever leftðŸ˜
DeleteThe narrator has lived in a lot of interesting places... I wonder what's happened to make him/her feel that way. I'd have to keep reading to find out more!
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking its a her, but not sure. Need to finish S Kings new book before starting this one.
DeleteI'd keep reading...I like this intro and am curious about why she never wants to go back anywhere!
ReplyDeleteMe too Sarah.
DeleteSounds like someone keeps running from her past...I wonder why?
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering the same thing.
DeleteI love this intro. What interesting places she's lived. I have so many questions, and I want to know more about what's going on.
ReplyDeleteYou and me both, monica😃
DeleteI agree with the last sentence in the paragraph. Whole cities and whole neighborhoods can be ruined by the reasons you left. Certain restaurants can never be revisited, streets can never be crossed. I'll have to read on to see why the narrator left. I read female, but maybe not!
ReplyDeleteI think female too, but have not started this yet.
DeleteI'm intrigued by this character. All the places they've been - and why they have to avoid them. I'd keep reading.
ReplyDeleteThat is odd isn't it?
DeleteHmm, I think this character is running out of places to go! I'm curious, so I'd read on.
ReplyDeleteWonder why she feels like she does?
DeleteI'm definitely interested but I think I want to find out more about the book before I add it to my TBR. The speaker is going to run out of places she can go soon!
ReplyDeleteIsn't that the truth Katherine?
DeleteA world traveler! I don't anything about this book but I would like to know more. Not sure if I would read it without understanding a bit of the plot first.
ReplyDeleteHaven't started it yet Rita, but sure am curious.
DeleteI'm curious the person doesn't return to old residences to the extend of avoiding a whole state.
ReplyDeleteI know? Curious what happened in her past.
DeleteShe's had quite a life! Hope the stories are all exciting. Here's Mine
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining us, I will start this soon.
DeleteI would love to have floor to ceiling bookshelves... and to live in Rome
ReplyDeleteI wonder why they left
Chippy
Me too Chippy.
DeleteI just might read on!
ReplyDeleteHope to start it after my Stephen King is finished.
DeleteThis looks extremely intriguing. Yes! Keep reading and let us know how it turns out for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kathy, I am curious about the main character.
DeleteLike this one.
ReplyDeleteI just discovered this delightful weekly meme! I hope to participate from time to time..
ReplyDeleteI do find this first paragraph intriguing. I definitely want to know the reasons the character left ... and what happened in his/her past to ruin entire neighborhoods and cities.