First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - Forest Dark; Nicole Krauss

Every Tuesday I host First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros sharing the first paragraph, maybe two, of a book that I'm reading or plan to read soon.  (This intro is a bit long, but, it really drew me in and made me want to read more).

Forest Dark; Nicole Krauss

Harper - 2017

1

Ayeka

"AT THE TIME of his disappearance, Epstein had been living in Tel Aviv for three months.  No one had seen his apartment.  His daughter Lucie had come to visit with her children, but Epstein installed them in the Hilton, where he met them for lavish breakfasts at which he only sipped tea.  When Lucie asked to come over, he'd begged off, explaining that the place was small and modest, not fit for receiving guests.  Still reeling from her parents' late divorce, she'd looked at him through narrow eyes--nothing about Epstein had previously been small or modest--but despite her suspicion she'd had ho accept it, along with all the other changes that had come over her father.  In the end, it was the police detectives who showed Lucie, Jonah, and Maya into their father's apartment, which turned out to be in a crumbling building near the ancient port of Jaffa.  The paint was peeling, and the shower let down directly above the toilet.  A cockroach strutted majestically across the stone floor.  Only after the police detective stomped on it with his shoe did it occur to Maya, Epstein's youngest and most intelligent child, that it may have been the last to see her father.  If Epstein ever really lived there at all--the only things that suggested he had inhabited the place were some books warped by the humid air that came through an open window and a bottle of the Coumadin pills he'd taken since the discovery of an partial fibrillation five years earlier.  It could have been called squalid, and yet the place had more in common with the slums of Calcutta than it did with the rooms in which his children had stayed with their father on the Amalfi coast and Cap d'Antibes.  Though, like those other rooms, this one also had a view of the sea."

Does this intro make you curious for more?

Please feel free to join in each Tuesday with your own "First Chapter, First Paragraph Intro" by linking your post from the book you are reading below. 

Catching Up - (5) short book reviews

My reading has picked up a bit but my reviewing, not so much, so I thought I'd try and play "catch up" with a few mini-book reviews.

The Almost Sisters; Joshilyn Jackson

William Morrow and Harper Audio - 2017 

(narrated by author)

Leia Birch Briggs illustrate graphic novels and, at the age of 38, she finds herself pregnant.  The father is a groupie that she met at a convention and, the fact that Leia is white and the baby's father is black is sure to cause more than a little commotion with her southern Alabama family.

In addition to Leia's troubles, her step sister's marriage is in trouble, and her 90 year old grandmother Birchie has dementia.  To complicate things, it seems Birchie, has more than a few secrets of her own she has been hiding. As Leia returns home to help get her grandmother's affairs in order we begin to learn more about her past.

A fun, multi generational novel, complete with a witty protagonist.  Some of the story seemed a bit over the top at times, but, overall, a fun listen/read.

3.5/5 stars

The Deep Dark Descending; Allen Eskens 

Seventh Street Books - 2017

A follow-up to The Heavens May Fall, The Deep Dark Descending is a book that I'd hesitate to recommend if you haven't read the previous book first. (There are some references to that story contained in this novel, but not enough background info IMO).

In this installment, Detective Max Rupert is back and this time he seems determined to settle the score with person he believes was responsible for the death of his wife, Jenni, in a hit and run accident 5 years earlier.

Set in MN in a bleak, frigid winter, this was a haunting story that makes you wonder whether vigilante justice will win out.  I was happy I read this follow-up story even though it moved a bit slow at times.

Rating 3.5/5 stars

Camino Island; John Grisham

Doubleday / Random House Audio - 2017

(narrator - January Lavoy)

This Grisham novel was a departure from his earlier legal thrillers and court dramas but, many book lovers will be drawn into this story about literary came, rare books and book stores.

The story begins with a brazen heist by several small time crooks at the Princeton University Library.  Five of the original manuscripts of F. Scott Fitzgerald, priceless, but insured, are taken.  The insurance company enlists the help of Mercer Mann, a novelist with a serious case of writer's block to look into some leads to determine whether she might be able to lead them to the priceless (in excess of $25 million) loot.

Fun, engaging characters, a lighter but fun listen.

3.5/5 stars

The Music Shop; Rachel Joyce

Random House - 2017

By the author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and, The Love Song of Miss Queen Hennessy, The Music Shop turned out to be a sweet story that not only deals with music but about wounded people and second chances as well.

The story is set in the late 1980's where Frank owns a "music shop" in a somewhat rundown area of town.  Although he sells all kinds of music and can recommend just the right piece for each customer who enters his shop, the one thing Frank refuses to do is to change with the times and to begin selling CDS, the latest rage. For Frank, nothing will ever replace vinyl.

One day a mysterious woman enters his shop.  Her name is Isle Bachmann, but before he ever learns her name or anything about her, something happens and she's gone in a flash.  He soon finds himself somewhat obsessed with finding out who the lovely woman in the green pea coat is and what brough her to his shop.

Part mystery but, this novel, for me was all about quirky Frank, a charming, wounded man who is easy to root for.  Readers who enjoy reading about music and like flawed characters should give this one a try.

4.5/5 stars

The Muralist, B.A. Shapiro

Algonquin Books - 2015

The Muralist, was our October book group selection and, for the first time in a while, it was a book that all (12) of us enjoyed to some degree.

The story begins in 2015 at a New York art appraisal house where (3) paintings are discovered by Danielle, a worker there.  Danielle, happens to be the great-niece of Alize Benoit, an artist who disappeared in 1940 when the country was preparing for war.  Danielle sees similarities in these works and those of her great-aunt's other paintings.

A parallel story, that of Alize, begins in 1939 where we learn about her work, the work of other artists and the plight of the Jews and the effects of the Great Depression. Interesting information about President Roosevelt's WPA (Work Progress Administration) and, the efforts of his wife Eleanor to further the works of various artists.

This was a work of fiction but much was based on fact.  There was so much to discuss from the works of great artists to the frightening similarities of the world of politics then and now.  I enjoyed reading about abstract expressionism and great artists as well.

4/5 stars

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - Ties; Domenico Starnone

Every Tuesday I host First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros sharing the first paragraph, maybe two, of a book that I'm reading or plan to read soon.  

Ties; Domenico Starnone

Europa Editions - 2017

Chapter One

"In case it's slipped your mind, Dear Sir, let me remind you: I am your wife. I know that this once pleased you and that now, suddenly, it chafes.  I know you pretend that I don't exist, and that I never existed, because you don't want to look bad in front of the highbrow people you frequent.  I know that leading an orderly life, having to come home in time for dinner, sleeping with me instead of whomever you want, makes you feel like an idiot.  I know you're ashamed to say: look I was married on October 11th, 1962, at twenty-two, I said: I do in front of the priest in a church in the Stella neighborhood, and I did it for love, nothing forced me into it; look, I have certain responsibilities, and if you people don't know what it means to have responsibilities you're petty.  I know, believe me, I know.  But whether you like it or not, the fact remains, I am your wife and you are my husband.  We've been married for twelve years--twelve years in October--and we have two children.  Sandro, born in 1965,  and Anna, born in 1969.  Do I need to show you their birth certificates to shake some sense into you?"

Does this intro make you curious for more?

Please feel free to join in each Tuesday with your own "First Chapter, First Paragraph Intro" by linking your post from the book you are reading below. 

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - You Don't Have To Say You Love Me: A Memoir; Sherman Alexie

Every Tuesday I host First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros sharing the first paragraph, maybe two, of a book that I'm reading or plan to read soon.   Has anyone read this book yet? I read that there is a part about a cat that is disturbing, so as a cat - lover, I am on the fence, and, of course, I will have to skip that section.

You Don't Have To Say You Love Me: A Memoir; Sherman Alexie

Little Brown - 2017

1.

Forty Knives

"IN 1972 OR 1973, or maybe 1974, my mother and father hosted a dangerous New Year's Eve party at our home in Wellpinit, Washington, on the Spokane Indian Reservation.

We lived in a two-story house--the first floor was a doorless daylight basement while the elevated second floor had front and back doors accessible by fourteen-step staircases.  The house was constructed by our tribe using grant money from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, more tersely known as HUD. Our family HUD house was new but only half finished when we moved in and remains unfinished, and illogically designed, over forty years later.  It was worth $25,000 when it was built, and I think it's probably worth about the same now.  I don't speak my tribal language, but I'm positive there are no Spokane Indian words for real estate appreciation.

Does this intro make you curious for more?

Please feel free to join in each Tuesday with your own "First Chapter, First Paragraph Intro" by linking your post from the book you are reading below. 

A Few New Books

Thank you Candlewick Press

• Pick a Pine Tree; Patricia Toht
• A Christmas for Bear; Bonny Becker
• Red and Lulu; Matt Tavares

• Picnic at Hanging Rock; Joan Lindsay (Penguin)
• Three Floors Up; Eshoo Nevo (Other Press)

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - The Muralist; B.A. Shapiro

Every Tuesday I host First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros sharing the first paragraph, maybe two, of a book that I'm reading or plan to read soon.  This week's selection is for my October book group read.

The Muralist; B.A. Shapiro

Algonquin - 2015

1

Danielle

"It was there when I arrived that morning, sitting to the right of my desk, ostensibly no different from the other half-dozen cartons on the floor, flaps bent back, paintings haphazardly poking out.  As soon as I saw it, I ripped off my gloves, dropped to my knees, and pawed through the contents.  I didn't realize I wasn't breathing until my chest began to ache and little black dots jumped around the edges of my vision.

Does this intro make you curious for more?

Please feel free to join in each Tuesday with your own "First Chapter, First Paragraph Intro" by linking your post from the book you are reading below. 

Reading and Reviewing Slump Continues

Hello Readers,

Between the loss of our cat Freckles on Monday and the outrageous news we face day after day, my reading slump continues.  I'm reading, but very slowly as I'm easily distracted it seems.  It's just easier to play Words with Friends or Yahtzee on my phone while watching the baseball playoffs, comedy shows and occasional news.  I do have so many books that I want to read, so I'm hopeful I snap out of this slump.

Back in early 2008, we were a 5 - cat family but now we are down to just 1 cat.

Buddy

Buddy is 15 years old now and is pretty spry for his age. Every day we can count on him practicing his jumping skills, making it half way up the door jamb or higher.  Although he's always just tolerated the other cats, preferring my lap any chance he got, he seems lost this past week.  His appetite has increased (he needed to gain a few pounds after losing a few over the last few years.  I feel sad though as he sometimes cries out like he's missing Freckles or isn't sure what has happened.  He's more of a lap cat and had even slept between our pillows briefly a few times this week.  I'm enjoying it while I can, as we all know -- life is short.

We almost brought home this little guy this week --

BUT, we decided that now was not the time to introduce a kitten to a 15 y/o cat who was never overly fond of other cats.  We gave a donation to the shelter instead and, decided that when Buddy is gone we'll either adopt 2 - kittens or a senior cat instead.

Hope everyone has had a good week and that next week is even better. 

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - The Music Shop, Rachel Joyce

Every Tuesday I host First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros sharing the first paragraph, maybe two, of a book that I'm reading or plan to read soon.  

As some of you know, I've been in a bit of a reading slump but, I must say, I started this yesterday and am a third of the way through and really enjoying it.

The Music Shop; Rachel Joyce

Random House - Jan/2018

Prologue

There once was a music shop. From the outside it looked like any shop, in any backstreet.  It had no name above the door. No record display in the window.  There was just a homemade poster stuck to the glass. FOR THE MUSIC YOU NEED!!! EVERYONE WELCOME!! WE ONLY SELL VINYL! IF CLOSED, PLEASE TELEPHONE--though after that it was anyone's guess because, along with more happy exclamation marks, the only eligible number was an 8 that could well be a 3; there were other things that might be triangles.

Does this intro make you curious for more?

Please feel free to join in each Tuesday with your own "First Chapter, First Paragraph Intro" by linking your post from the book you are reading below. 

RIP Dear Freckles

(Freckles - 2003 - 2017)

As I mentioned in my Sunday post, our 14 year old cat Freckles was not doing well.  He had lost weight and for the last few days he had turned his nose up at most foods except for a couple of licks and a few laps of water here and there.  Then last night his breathing seemed a bit labored, so first thing this morning we made an appointment to bring him to the Vet.  On the way there in his carrier in the back seat, a 20 minute ride, he let on one cry (our cats have always hated the car) but, when we got to the Vet he seemed unresponsive in his carrier so they rushed him in to be checked.   We soon got the sad news that he had passed away.  We were told he had a lot of fluid in his lungs and that, his weakened state, along with the stress of the car ride, most likely resulted in heart failure.

We got Freckles as a kitten in Rhode Island, always an indoor cat, he was never a lap cat, but he loved being close to us (especially my husband). He loved being brushed, watching the birds, squirrels and chipmunks and playing with toys.  He was well loved and will be deeply missed.

2017 has been a terrible year for us and our furry friends. As some of you might recall, in February, we lost our sweet Lily, also 14 years of age, and I can't say we are over her loss, even 8 months later.   Our fur babies are down to just 1 now, Buddy, who is 15 and, like his humans,  is quite sad today. He's looking around the house for his friend and seems a bit nervous, not able to find a place for himself.

To all my readers with a furry family member, give them an extra hug and extra treat today.  Our time on earth is short and we are never ready when faced with that loss.

RIP Freckles, you were loved.