Every Tuesday I host First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros where I share the first paragraph sometimes two from a book I am reading or thinking about reading soon. (I just started this one and was hooked immediately - a favorite author too).
Under the Influence; Joyce Maynard
William Morrow - February 2016
1.
"It was late November, and for a week solid the rain hadn't let up. My son and I had moved out of our old apartment back before school started, but I had left it until now to clear the last of our belongings out of the storage area I'd been renting. With two days left before the end of the month, I decided not to wait any longer for dry weather. Worse things could happen to a person than getting a few boxes wet. As I well knew."
"It was late November, and for a week solid the rain hadn't let up. My son and I had moved out of our old apartment back before school started, but I had left it until now to clear the last of our belongings out of the storage area I'd been renting. With two days left before the end of the month, I decided not to wait any longer for dry weather. Worse things could happen to a person than getting a few boxes wet. As I well knew."
What do you think -- keep reading or pass?
(Feel free to join in this week by posting your intro below?
I would definitely keep reading, because it's Joyce Maynard, and I've been ogling this book for a while. I even pre-ordered it from Amazon, because I couldn't find it on NetGalley or Vine.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!
Love your new header....
Laurel, it was available on Edelweiss a few months back. Very good.
DeleteThat's a nice start to the story. There's just enough information to hook me in. I also like the tone of the narrator. Hope it's good for you Diane.
ReplyDeleteI do love the intro as well, and it was very easy to get into as well.
DeleteI would keep reading. I've heard good things about this author. I'll be waiting your review.
ReplyDeleteJudy, she is a favorite author.
DeleteI think I would - I was intrigued enough to know what worse things may have happened to check out the synopsis and now I wish I had the book at hand to read - good choice!
ReplyDeleteThanks Cleo, a very addictive read so far.
DeleteI would keep reading. Moving and rain just don't mix.
ReplyDeleteSo true Tea.
DeleteThe intro could say anything and I'd be reading this I love Joyce Maynard.
ReplyDeleteLOL - That's how I feel when I see new books by certain authors.
DeleteYes, I'd keep going, but then again, I know what the book is about. LOL
ReplyDeleteLOL
DeleteSounds good...I've heard alot about this author but never read any of her books. I'd keep reading this one.
ReplyDeleteoh, you must try her books Yvonne.
DeleteI'd keep reading...I like the writing style!
ReplyDeleteTerrific - I agree. He stories are always compelling.
DeleteSounds like the start of a good story...I'd keep reading.
ReplyDeleteGlad u liked the intro.
DeleteI would keep reading - I've never read this author's work but I like the style of writing.
ReplyDeleteHope u get a chance to try her Jade.
DeleteI like this opening, and it makes me want to read more.
ReplyDeleteGlad u enjoyed it Monica - always seem to enjoy her books.
DeleteI'm intrigued! Adding it to my ever growing "to read" list on Goodreads!
ReplyDeleteGood idea Heather, it's terrific.
DeleteHappy Tuesday, Diane! Joyce Maynard is a wonderful writer. Excellent opening! I'd read more.
ReplyDeleteSo happy you like the intro.
DeleteI've enjoyed the books by Maynard I have read in the past and am looking forward to reading this one. I like the intro--I'm intrigued and want to know more about her past and what's led her to this moment. Thanks for sharing, Diane! And for hosting. :-)
ReplyDeleteWendy, glad to hear u r a Maynard fan. This one is so good so far.
DeleteYes, that's just enough to keep on reading.
ReplyDeleteGlad it appealed to you.
DeleteGreat opening! I feel like there's more going on than is first apparent. I'm not familiar with this author but will add her to my list.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, it's quite a story so far.
DeleteThat's procrastination for you!
ReplyDeleteI think I'd have to read a bit more of this book to decide whether to read it all or not.
Chippy
Oh Chippy, it's very addictive.
DeleteI'd like to read more!
ReplyDeleteOnce you start this one it is hard to put it down.
DeleteI would definitely keep reading because I want to know why the moved and what's in the boxes!
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked the intro Iliana.
DeleteI already like the writing and having it written by a favorite, you should definitely keep reading.
ReplyDeleteI like that her books never have too many characters to keep track of and always a compelling story.
DeleteI want to know what things...would definitely keep reading!
ReplyDeleteOhhh, it's so good.
DeleteYes I'd like to continue reading.
ReplyDeleteOnce I started I had a tough time putting this one down. I finished it today, but of course no review yet.
DeleteI say that I'd like to continue reading. I'm curious.
ReplyDeleteIt's a page-turner.
DeleteThanks so much for putting this teaser out there. A great hook, if I do say so.
ReplyDeleteMaynard and I were born the same year. Her first book, her very first published book, was a paperback called Looking Back. [Instead of sitting here, I should carouse through my paperback shelves to make sure of the title, but I think that's it.] I believe it's likely that it was published during the time of her relationship with Salinger. In any event, the book was a memoir of sorts, about growing up and coming of age in the 1960s. I think it was published around 1971-1972, my freshman year in college. I remember at the time that she nailed down all the conflicts and contradictions of growing up female in our era.
Surprisingly, I haven't read anything of hers since. I think it's time I should.
Judith (Reader in the Wilderness)
Judith, I think I've read just about all of her books but, I'm not familiar with that early one. I finished this latest one yesterday and in the afterward was info about Joyce M. Her current husband (name escapes me) was battling pancreatic cancer as she was writing the book. That resonated with me as both my mother and a brother died from it. BTW we are about the same age I can tell:)
DeleteThank you for sharing that, and I'm glad we're about the same age. The early title is likely out of print, and it's not unlikely that Maynard, as an artist and perfectionist, might not include it in her list of published titles.
DeleteI'm definitely putting the book on my list.
Diane,
DeleteI was searching for super-wintry, snowy book titles this weekend and lo and behold, came across my old, old copy of Joyce Maynard's Looking Back: A Chronicle of Growing Up Old in the Sixties. I have an Avon paperback copy from 1974. But it was originally published in 1972, 1973--perhaps first in a hardcover, but I haven't been able to verify this. In any event, the book is available on Amazon and elsewhere, in a special anniversary edition. I like the cover of my 1974 book much, much better, which you can find while searching on Google. Maynard says she wrote the book when she was 19. She was born in 1953, which is the year I was born. I guess I got that detail straight, anyway. Thought you'd like to know, because you may find the book interesting enough to add to your collection.
Judith (Reader in the Wilderness)
She's one of my favorite authors, too. I still have an ARC of After Her on my shelf, though. It was published 2 years ago, so I better read that one first. :)
ReplyDeleteHave you read The Usual Rules? I read it back in 2005 and think it's one of her best books. You can read my thoughts here if you like.
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