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. This week I selected (2) books I will be reading - both release today.
The Way We Weren't; Phoebe Fox
Berkley - November 9, 2021
First Chapter First Paragraph(s) Intro
Before
It's his hands that let her know everything is going to be okay after all.
Sitting close beside her on the stands, bare but for the two of them with practice having ended almost two hours ago, his empty glove forgotten at his feet, he cradles her hand in his, one hand wrapped firmly around her fingers as if anchoring her to the metal surface currently freezing her butt, the other cupped over it like a baby bird he shelters from the cold bite of the March air.
Today is release day for this book: An unlikely friendship between a septuagenarian and a younger woman becomes a story of broken trust, lost love, and the unexpected blooming of hope against the longest odds.
What do you think? Isn't the cover art lovely? I hope to begin reading it later this week. I loved the author's previous book: A Little Bit of Grace.
The Writer's Cats; Muriel Barbery (Ill. Maria Guitart)
Europa Editions - 11/9/2021
First of all, let me make one thing clear: we like our writer. She's kind. She never forgets when it's time for our meal. She doesn't scream when she sees a dead mouse. She tosses bottle corks to us (our favorite game at aperitif time) while she's drinking wine (which is not infrequent). She take us to the vet the minute we fart out of tune. We really do like her. But enough is enough.
I'll tell you straight: without us, our writer would not be the writer she is. I don't know if she'd be worse or better, but she'd be different, that's all. Why? Because even if we can't speak, we are peerless literary advisors.
"How can a cat claim to be a literary advisor?" you might wonder (and rightfully so). I shall explain.
(This book is just 80 pages with lots of cat wisdom to ponder and some cute illustrations to boot.)
The first one was really weire but the second one was okay.
ReplyDeleteThat intro puzzled me a bit as well but feeling hopeful on both.
DeleteInteresting excerpts. I do want to know more.
ReplyDeleteI'm feeling optimistic \!
DeleteI think I'd have to know more about the first one. I worry about the broken trust.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious about this one as I think there is an elderly character which I tend to love.
DeleteI found the writing style of the beginning sentence of the first selection awkward and hard to follow, so I don't think I'd stick with it. The second book, however, is by an author that I've read before and enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteMy Tuesday post: https://www.bookclublibrarian.com/2021/11/first-chapter-first-paragraph_9.html
It is a little awkward intro but since I loved her previous book, I plan to read this as well.
DeleteWell, that first certainly piques my curiosity. As one owned by cats, I fully understand that second one!
ReplyDeleteYou are owed by cats? I knew I liked you Dorothy:) We have 2 but at one time had 5 who have all passed away.
DeleteThe cover is great and, not sure if you read her previous book (set in FL): A Little Bit of Grace but, it's a sweet story.
ReplyDeleteThe Writer's Cats sounds so cute! :D
ReplyDeleteI definitely have to read The Writer's Cats. I already know I'll love it.
ReplyDeleteThe Writer's Cats sounds fabulous. I can think of a dozen people who'd like to read this one.
ReplyDeleteI've seen The Way We Were mentioned in several places lately, so it seems to be gaining momentum. I'm curious enough about the premise that I"d keep turning pages on that one.
ReplyDeleteBut I've not had much luck with stories told through the eyes of animals, so I'd likely not read that second one. But that's not a fair assessment, really, because I'm really not part of the target audience for that kind of book at all anymore.
Very nice!
ReplyDeleteAs for Barbery, I love her style, and am planning to read this one, in French, my native language.
Mine is a historical novel set in France.
The book is available for review and/or as a giveaway:
https://francebooktours.com/2021/11/09/katherines-wish-teaser-tuesday/
The first one sounds interesting but the second one absolutely sold me! It sounds wonderful!
ReplyDelete