First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intro - I Regret Everything: A Love Story; Seth Greenland

Every Tuesday I host First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where I share the first paragraph or (a few) of a book I am reading or thinking about reading soon.

I Regret Everything: A Love Story; Seth Greenland

Europa Edition - 2015

(INTRO PARAGRAPH)

JEREMY

Trusts and Estates

"It would be easy to say my troubles began when a mysterious woman walked into the office but that would ignore the time freshman year in college when Aunt Bren called to let me know my mother had removed all of her clothes in the furniture department at Macy's and had been taken to Bellevue. Besides, a sentence like my troubles began when a mysterious woman walked into the office veers into private-eye territory and my work did not in any real way resemble that of a private eye.  As an attorney with a trusts and estates practice, courage and love of danger did not thrum in my breast, only caution and prudence.  Clients relied on me to structure their assets in such a way that by the time they were no longer living, every opportunity had been taken to protect their heirs, charities, and legacies.  Generation-skipping trusts, real estate trusts, blind trusts, wills, codicils, prenupttial agreements, and tax planning were my territory.  I counseled captains of industry, advised widows and offspring.  Life with an unstable parent taught me there were times a person's affairs were a baffling wilderness.  It was my job to tame the anarchic trees, mutating vines, and proliferating stinkweed into a fragrant, orderly garden through which the beneficiaries could one day stroll."

What do you think? Would you keep reading?
(I'm not thrilled with the intro, but the reviews have been very positive)

Feel free to join in by linking your post sharing the first paragraph of the book you are reading or planning to read soon. Link Below.

The Children's Crusade; Ann Packer

The Children's Crusade; Ann Packer

Scribner - 2015

The Children's Crusade is a character driven novel that follows the Blair family for a period of about 50 years.

Bill Blair was a young man without a wife or kids, who had a dream for the future.  He buys a remote piece of land in what would later be known as the Silicon Valley area of California.

Fast forward and Bill, a pediatrician, along with his wife Penny would have four children. Three of the Blair children would become successful.  Robert, an internist, Rebecca a psychiatrist for terminally ill children and their families, Ryan, a teacher, and their 4th, youngest and unplanned child, James, would become what some might call the wild child or the bad seed. Troubled from childhood, he would later drop out of college, become estranged from his family. In his late 30's he works at Costco. Can James totally be responsible for the way his life turned out, or should his neglectful mother shoulder some of that blame?

Penny, was never totally happy with her role as wife and mother. Finding out about her 4th pregnancy, with James, nearly sent her over the edge. More artsy than domestic, bit by bit Penny removes herself from the family unit as wife and mother in pursuit of her own interests, despite her children trying their hardest to please her and draw her back in. Their attempts seemed to have the reverse effect.

The story of the Blair family dynamics is told in alternating chapters from the past and then the present, nearly 4 years after Bill's death, when James resurfaces after not even attending his father's funeral. James has a personal agenda item to present to the others upon his return.

I wasn't sure what to expect with this novel. Many readers will find at least several of the characters unlikeable, but each holds a mighty branch on the Blair family tree. In some ways, I felt like I could sympathise with even the unlikeable characters. Although the story seemed to move very slow at times, I do think that the author did a great job creating some very different personalities within the family unit. Each person's story and their issues felt compelling and realistic. In the end it's all about making peace with the past, even though the anger an unhappiness never fully disappears.

Readers who enjoy stories about dysfunctional families, family sagas, and stories told from multiple POVs should try this one. 

4/5 stars

(eGalley)

Zoo Borns Motherly Love; Andrew Bleiman and Chris Eastland

Zoo Borns; Motherly Love; Andrew Bleiman and Chris Eastland

Simon & Schuster - 2015

I was given an opportunity to take a sneak peek at this book by the publisher as an eGalley, and while this book is adorable and informative, it was a just a big tease in many ways, since it was not a finished and complete copy, Despite that the pictures that were included in the review copy were beautiful.

The beautifully illustrated picture book features exotic animals (moms and their babies) from around the world.  Each of the featured: giant pandas, sea otters, lion cubs etc. include information as to whether the species is considered endangered, the special challenges each species faces,  as well as other information about the animal. The pictures are bright and glossy and demonstrate the love and closeness of mother and baby. This is definitely the type of book that children and teachers will love and a keeper for library collections.

Another plus is the fact that 10% of the sales goes to The Association of Zoos and Aquariums Conservation Endowment Fund.

Thanks to Simon & Schuster for letting me take an early peek.

Where Women are Kings; Christie Watson

Where Women are Kings; Christie Watson

Other Press - 2015

Where Women Are Kings, is a powerful story but a tough one to read as well. It deals with an emotionally and physically abused child.

Seven year old Elijah believes two things: that his mother loved him very much, even though he was taken from her, and that he is a wizard - a wizard that is sometimes made to do bad things.

Elijah is the son of Deborah and Akpan, Nigerian immigrants living outside of London. His mother tells him that he was born of love, when the couple moved to the UK from Nigeria. However, when Akpan dies unexpectedly when Elijah is just an infant, Deborah is unable to cope with the loss of her husband. She quickly spirals out of control into madness. Convinced by a wacko Bishop that her son needs an exorcism, poor Elijah is sadly the victim here.

In and out of foster homes Elijah is adopted by a kind, patient, mixed race couple. Obi is an immigration lawyer and Nikki works with rescue dogs. Although Elijah seems to adjust well at times, his inner "wizard" demon is never far away.

The author has done a very good job creating a powerful, believable story. The characters are well developed and through alternating chapters the reader gets to understand the roots of Elijah's troubled past and difficult present. At just 250 pages, the book is a quick read, yet one that has stayed with me as well.

4.5/5 stars
(review copy)

Coming Soon to a Book Store Near You - I Don't Have a Happy Place; Kim Korson

I'm looking forward to this book which releases later this month.

I Don't Have a Happy Place; Kim Korson

Gallery Books - April - 2015

(Description)
When a trip to the therapist ends with the question “Can’t Kim be happy?” Kim Korson responds the way any normal person would—she makes fun of it. Because really, does everyone have to be happy?

Aside from her father wearing makeup and her mother not feeling well (a lot), Kim Korson’s 1970s suburban upbringing was typical. Sometimes she wished her brother were an arsonist just so she’d have a valid excuse to be unhappy. And when life moves along pretty decently--she breaks into show business, gets engaged in the secluded jungles of Mexico, and moves her family from Brooklyn to dreamy rural Vermont—the real despondency sets in. It’s a skill to find something wrong in just about every situation, but Kim has an exquisite talent for negativity. It is only after half a lifetime of finding kernels of unhappiness where others find joy that she begins to wonder if she is even capable of experiencing happiness.

In I Don’t Have a Happy Place, Kim Korson untangles what it means to be a true malcontent. Rife with evocative and nostalgic observations, unapologetic realism, and razor-sharp wit, I Don’t Have a Happy Place is told in humorous, autobiographical stories. This fresh-yet-dark voice is sure to make you laugh, nod your head in recognition, and ultimately understand what it truly means to be unhappy. Always.

The Adventures of Beekle, the Unimaginary Friend; Dan Santat

 The Adventures of Beekle

The Unimaginary Friend

Dan Santat (Little Brown Young Readers) - 2014

Caldecott Medal Winner

Beekle is the cutest imaginary creature ever, but he's very lonely where he lives on his island with other creatures like himself.  He is waiting patiently to be "imagined" by a child. One day he ventures to the real world. Everywhere he goes he sees little kids having fun playing, but why doesn't any of them choose him for a friend he wonders?  He wants his life to have meaning.

One day he climbs high up in a tree where other kids have climbed hoping to be noticed and chosen as a friend.  It's here that he meets shy little Alice who is all by herself and longing for a friend of her own. Beekle and Alice are the perfect match for happy days ahead, as neither has every had a friend before.

This is a beautiful story and message with plenty to discuss with your little one as you read. The illustrations are vivid and imaginative as well. I can see why this one was an award winner.

5/5 stars

(library book)

March Reading in Review ~ April Reading Plans

March was a great reading month for me in terms of numbers and quality of books read. Here's what I read. (12 books read: (2) kids books, (2) audio books (4) eGalleys (3) arc (1) personal copy.  Only (3) of the (12) was so-so reads,

1. In Wilderness; Diane Thomas - 3.5/5 (arc) (March)
2. Etta and Otto and Russell and James; Emma Hooper - 4/5 (arc) (March)
3. Glamourpuss; Sarah Weeks & David Small - 4/5 (March)
4. World Gone By; Dennis Lehane - 4/5 (arc) (March
5. Everything I Never Told You; Celeste Ng - 4.5/5 (audio) (March)
6. Fiercombe Manor; Kate Riordan - 3/5 (arc) (March)
7. The Martian; Andy Weir - 5/5 (audio) (March)
8. Fetch; Jorey Hurley - 5/5 (library) (March)
9. Findng Spring; Carin Berger 3.5/5 (library) (March)
10. Us, David Nicholls 4/5 (eGalley) (March)
11. The Invention of Wings; Sue Monk Kidd 4.5/5 (eGalley) (March)
12. A Little Life; Hanya Yanagihara - 5/5 (personal copy) (March)

Favorite books

 A Little Life; Hanya Yanagihara

Fetch; Jorey Hurley - 5/5

April Reading Plans

• 
  
• Where Women Are Kings; Christie Watson
• Inside the O'Briens; Lisa Genova
• The Children's Crusade; Ann Packer
• Someone is Watching; Joy Fielding
• The Listener; Basch
• The Tusk that Did the Damage; Tania James
• Eileen; Ottessa Moshfegh