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.
The Impossible Fortress; Jason Rekulak
Simon & Schuster - 2017
"MY MOTHER WAS CONVINCED I'd die young. In the spring of 1987, just a few weeks after my fourteenth birthday, she started working nights at the Food World because the late shift paid an extra dollar an hour. I slept alone in an empty house while my mother rang up groceries and fretted over all the terrible things that might happen: What if I choked on a chicken nugget? What if I slipped in the shower? What if I forgot to turn off the stove and the house exploded in a fiery inferno? At ten o'clock every evening, she'd call to make sure I'd finished my homework and locked the front door, and sometimes she'd make me test the smoke alarms, just in case."
Based on this intro, would you read more or pass on this book?
Feel free to join in by posting your own First Chapter First Paragraph Intro and linking below.
Feel free to join in by posting your own First Chapter First Paragraph Intro and linking below.
Oh my. A strange opening...sounds like a very neurotic mother.
ReplyDeleteYes, she sure does seem that way but, anyone who has raised a 14 y/o boy might feel some of it is warranted...LOL
DeleteVery scary mother! This one sounds good, though.
ReplyDelete1/3 through, it's a fun read.
DeleteI think I would worry too if I left my child alone overnight while I had to work too! I hope the child has a good safety plan. If it was today, the mom could get in a lot of trouble for that with children services. How things have changed!
ReplyDeleteBack in the 1980s though, I must admit I've left my 14 y/old alone overnight once or twice with his 16 y/o sister though.
DeleteMaybe it's just me, but I like the tone of voice in that first paragraph. Actually, I like 14-year-olds so I think he's just being 14. I definitely want to keep reading this new-to-me story.
ReplyDeleteThis kids is geeky yet so fun. Loving this one so far.
DeleteI'd definitely keep reading, just to find out the effect his mother's worries had on his life! Sounds like a story I'd enjoy reading.
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting.
It's fun so far Sandra - 1/3 into it now.
DeleteThe worry the mother has for her son seems to have had a bit effect on him - I would like to know more
ReplyDeleteIt's a very fun read thus far.
DeleteVery scary but sounds creepily good.
ReplyDeleteNo worries, fun read so far.
DeleteI like the writing and I can only imagine the dilemma of trying to make enough money vs leaving your teen at home alone.
ReplyDeleteThe writing is quite good and fun.
DeleteI like the tone of the opening too. And I can imagine the mother's concerns, being the kind of person that tends to that myself a bit. Well, maybe not testing the smoke alarms every night, but still...LOL!
ReplyDeleteYes, anyone who has raised a 14 y/old boy can see how some of the mom's concerns are warranted.
DeleteI loved this book! The boys are about the same age I was in 1987, so I got into all the pop culture references and could imagine my junior high male counterparts trying to get themselves a copy of Playboy with Vanna White on the cover. So much fun!
ReplyDeleteTina, so glad to hear you enjoyed this - me too so far. My son was 10 in 1987 and, yes, Boys will be boys..the Vanna in Playboy is so typical of boys that age.
DeleteI like the tone of this opening and would continue reading. I hope you love it!
ReplyDeletePat, this is such a fun read so far.
DeleteOh, definitely keep reading! I love that intro...so much that I'm checking my library for this one. I haven't seen it before.
ReplyDeleteGreat coming of age story thus far.
DeleteSounds like a fun book. I hope you enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteGood and funny so far.
DeleteDefinitely would keep reading, wondering what the intro is leading up to.
ReplyDeleteIt's a fun read so far Nise.
DeleteI love the picture this paints. Paranoid mothers...we've all been there.
ReplyDeleteLOL, I loved the intro as well.
DeleteThat didn't really tickle my fancy.
ReplyDeleteIt's a pretty funny read so far.
DeleteBased on the intro, I would read more. But, I'd be expecting a funny book so I'd be disappointed if it was too serious.
ReplyDeleteNo Helen, it's a funny going of age - fun so far.
DeleteThat's a great teaser and I would definitely continue reading! Will look forward to your review of this one.
ReplyDeleteIt's very fun Iliana.
DeleteI'd worry, too, if I had to leave a 14-year-old at home, alone, while I worked the night shift. I'd read more. :)
ReplyDelete