Tuesday, October 5, 2021

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - Harlem Shuffle; Colson Whitehead

Welcome to First Chapter/Intros, hosted by Yvonne @ Socrates Book Reviews
Each week readers post the first paragraph (or 2) of a book we are reading or plan to read soon.
 

Harlem Shuffle; Colson Whitehead
Doubleday - 9/14/2021

THE TRUCK
1959

"Carney was only slightly bent when it came to being crooked..."

ONE

His cousin Freddie brought him on the heist one hot night in early June. Ray Carney was having on of his run-around days--uptown, downtown, zipping across the city.  Keeping the machine humming.  First up was Radio Row, to unload the final three consoles, two RCAs and a Magnavox, and pick up the TV he left.  He'd given up on radios, hadn't sold one in a year and a half no matter how much he marked them down and begged.  Now they took up space in the basement that he needed for the new recliners coming in from Argent next week and whatever he picked up from the dead lady's apartment that afternoon.  The radios were top-of-the-line three years ago; now padded blankets hid their slick mahogany cabinets, fastened by leather straps to the truck bed.  The pickup bounced in the unholy rut of the West Side Highway.


What do you think --read more or pass? I love the initial description of Carney and, I've enjoyed this author in the past as well.

30 comments:

  1. I liked The Nickel Boys so I'll be interested in your thoughts on Harlem Shuffle.

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    1. I liked the Nickel Boys as well but, this is a lot different type of story.

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  2. I love Colson Whitehead so this is already on my TBR!

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  3. I’m about halfway through and struggling. I’ve read two other books while reading this, which I usually don’t do. I really liked Nickel Boys, but this one is moving pretty slowly. The writing is beautiful, but that might be part of my problem. Too many details. I really want to know what happens, so I am trying!

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    1. Funny Annette, I have 2 other books going as well, but, so far so good for me.

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  4. Sounds interesting! I have The Nickel Boys on my TBR shelves, which I hope to read soon.

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    1. Oh, I did love The Nickel Boys, this is different but so far so good.

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  5. I havent rad this one yet, but I did enjoy Nickel Boys

    Here is my teaser:
    https://twogirlsandtheirbookishlife.blogspot.com/2021/10/teaser-tuesday-horseman-by-christina.html

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    1. It is quite different from the Nickel Boys but I like it thus far.

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  6. I've got this on my Kindle. Hope it's an enjoyable read for you!

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  7. Looks like another good one.

    BTW, about the NetGalley reading challenge on my blog, this challenge runs from January 2021-December 2021. Everyone links up their reviews monthly, but it's a year long challenge. You can read more about it here...
    https://socratesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2020/12/2021-netgalley-and-edelweiss-reading.html

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    1. Geez, I could have really made a dent if I started in January but, I shall persist!

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  8. I wasn't sure I'd like it but I just might.

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  9. I'm a big fan of Whitehead's previous novels, and I find it amazing how different each of them are from the others. I'm sure this one is coming home with me at some point, so I know I'd definitely keep reading on.

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    1. It is very different from Nickel Boys, so far it seems good.

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  10. I'd read more, Diane! Thank you for this snippet.

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  11. I'd continue on with it ... I've seen some mixed reviews but I think you know what you're getting into. Plus it's Colson Whitehead.

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    1. Yes Susan, it is certainly different than Nickel Boys but a nice change for me.

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  12. Replies
    1. It's different from Nickel Boys for sure but, I like it as its a good change of pace.

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  13. Sounds similar to a book I read years ago. I'd keep reading.

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    1. In some ways the beginning reminds me of a Harold Robbins book but, a clean version.

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  14. He's such a great author. I would ask you to read on...and report back!

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    1. It's different but good. I have 2 others in between so it'll take me a bit longer.

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  15. I've not read him yet but I would totally continue reading this. I mean when was the last time we heard of a Magnavox or RCA consoles. I'm already curious about the timeframe and what's going on.

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    1. When my kiddos were toddlers we had one of those huge RCA consoles and we also had a stereo system enclosed in a wooden cabinet - we were hip in the mid-late 70s LOL

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