Holiday Wishes

Holiday Wishes

While I take a blogging break to spend time with family and friends, 

I wish all of you joy, cheer, and happiness as 2014 draws to a close 

and the new year begins.

Catherine

First Chapter ~ First Paragraph #87

It's Tuesday . . . and I'm participating in . . .

                                                         

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros hosted by Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea, where bloggers post the first paragraph(s) of a book they are currently reading or planning to read sometime soon.

Today I'm featuring the opening from an upcoming read that I checked out of the library last week . . .

 

The Ship of Brides by Jojo Moyes 

Prologue

The first time I saw her again, I felt as If I'd been hit.

I have heard that said a thousand times, but I had never until then understood its true meaning: there was a delay, in which my memory took time to connect with what my eyes were seeing, and then a physical shock that went straight through me, as if I had taken some great blow.  I am not a fanciful person.  I don't dress up my words.   But I can say truthfully that it left me winded.

Part One

1

AUSTRALIA, 1946

FOUR WEEK TO EMBARKATION

Letty McHugh halted the pick-up truck, wiped non-existent soot from under her eyes, and noted that on a woman with "handsome features," as the saleswoman had tactfully defined hers, Cherry Blossom lipstick was never going to alter much.  She rubbed briskly at her lips, feeling stupid for having bought it at all.  Then, less than a minute later, she reached into her bag and carefully reapplied it, grimacing at her reflection in the rear-view mirror.

 

What do you think?  Would you continue reading? 

   

What are you reading now or planning to read soon?

 

 

First Chapter ~ First Paragraph #87 was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.com.  This post cannot be republished without attribution.

 

Weekly Book Recap #91

Hello everyone . . . It's been a good week on the holiday gift buying and decorating front, not to mention I had an impressive number of holds come through from the library.  All the gifts are bought and wrapped, the cards are in the mail, and the Christmas tree and window decorations are finished.  What's left to do:  putting other decorations around the rooms and making the place company-ready.  I'll be doing that today.

The library's holiday party was lots of fun, but as usual, I ate too much.  It was hard to resist all the wonderful dishes my co-workers prepared.  In a way, it was a warm-up for all the other holiday meals this coming week.

And now for my book recap . . .

First, the past week's posts:
Tuesday:  First Chapter & Teaser
Friday:  Friday 56 & Book Beginning


Now for the rest of my time in books, which is being shared on these blogs:
 

 Sunday Post hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer  

Showcase Sunday hosted by Vicky at  Books, Biscuits, and Tea
It's Monday! What Are You Reading? hosted by Sheila at Book Journey 

Finished reading . . .

   A Good Marriage by Stephen King, a satisfying combination of creepiness and poetic justice.

Reading now . . .

  

Evil Librarian by Michelle Knudsen;  A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler

Downloaded . . .
     Gracie by Ellie Keaton

Borrowed from the library . . .
 
 
                        

The Hypnotist's Love Story and Three Wishes by Liane Moriarty, My Sister's Grave by Robert Dugoni, The Ship of Brides by Jojo Moyes, Shattered Secrets by Karen Harper, Dublin City of Literature by Muriel Bolger, and A Good Marriage by Stephen King

Reading next . . .

      ?????? I'm having a hard time deciding !!!!!!

What did you read this week?  

. . . What did you add to your shelves or wish list?  

. . . . . . What are you reading next?

Enjoy life with books . . .

Catherine

Weekly Book Recap #91 was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.com.  This post cannot be republished without attribution.

Friday Focus: The Friday 56 & Book Beginnings #64

It's Friday . . . time to share excerpts from a current or upcoming read with:

• Book Beginnings on Fridays hosted by Rose City Reader, where bloggers share the first sentence or more of a current read, as well as initial thoughts about the sentence(s), impressions of the book, or anything else that the opening inspires.  
• The Friday 56 hosted by Freda's Voice, where you grab a book and turn to page 56 (or 56% of an ebook), find one or more interesting sentences (no spoilers), and post them.

Today I'm featuring a book I got from the library yesterday, A Good Marriage by Stephen King.

 

 

Beginning:  The one thing nobody asked in casual conversation, Darcy thought in the days after she found what she found in the garage, was this: How's your marriage?  They asked how was your weekend and how was your trip to Florida and how's your health and how are the kids; they even asked how's life been treatin' you, hon?  But nobody asked how's your marriage?

******************** 
Page 56:  "She wanted a glass of water, but she was afraid to get up and go into the bathroom.  She was afraid he would stop her, and what would come after that?  What then?"

*********************   

 

My thoughts: It's been a long time since I read one of this author's books.  The title intrigued me, so I thought I'd give it a try.

Which book are you reading now or about to start?
 

Friday Focus: The Friday 56 & Book Beginnings #64 was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.com. This post cannot be republished without attribution.    

First Chapter ~ First Paragraph #86 and Teaser Tuesdays

   It's Tuesday . . . time to share book excerpts with:
         

• First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros hosted by Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea, where bloggers post the first paragraph(s) of a book they are currently reading or planning to read sometime soon.

• Teaser Tuesdays hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading, where bloggers post two (2) random “teaser” sentences--no spoilers allowed--to try to entice others to seek out these books.

Today I'm featuring the opening and a teaser from an upcoming read, A New York Christmas by Anne Perry, a book I borrowed from the library. 

 

Jemima stood at the railing on the upper deck of the great ocean liner and gazed across the limitless sea.  She had just turned twenty-three and was beginning what promised to be the first real adventure of her life.

It was December 1904, and she was crossing the Atlantic to New York, where she would stay for at least a month.  Mr. Edward Cardew had invited her to travel as a companion to his daughter, Delphinia, who was to marry Brent Albright, the son of Rothwell Albright, Mr. Cardew's international business partner.  It would be the society wedding of the year. 

--------------------------

Teaser:  "Jemima was startled at the mention of Maria's name, especially coming from Harley.  She had assumed none of the Albrights wished to speak about her." ~ p. 39

----------------------  

 

What do you think?  Would you continue reading? 

 

My thoughts:  It's about time I read a Christmas story this year.  The beautiful cover, which depicts Central Park on a snowy day, really drew me to this particular book.  

 

 

What are you reading now or planning to read soon?

 

 

First Chapter ~ First Paragraph #86 and Teaser Tuesdays was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.com.  This post cannot be republished without attribution.

Weekly Book Recap #90

Hello everyone . . . I'm in the thick of holiday preparations, as I am sure many of you are too.  Wish I was in the "all finished and ready for the big event" category, but I tend to have small tasks up to the last minute.  The Christmas tree is up and half decorated (I hope to complete it and a modest display of holiday lights tonight).  Writing Christmas cards is also on the agenda for this evening.  I've made a list of presents to buy and will spend most of today at the mall--the timing leaves a bit to be desired, but it's now or never.

I was fighting off a cold most of this past week, but did go to a lovely dinner with one of my book clubs on Friday night. We discussed The Sisterhood by Helen Bryan, which everyone liked, despite its flaws. 

Tomorrow is my library's holiday party, which is always a fun event.  The decorations are already in place--they've even built a fireplace--and everyone will be bringing a home-cooked dish.  (I'll be baking a dessert.)  We've got a great duo that is responsible for the party's overall success each year, and they have told us to be prepared to be merry-fied.

It's bound to be a busy week, and I hope I can get all things holiday accomplished. 

And now for my book recap . . .

First, the past week's posts:
Tuesday:  First Chapter & Teaser
Wednesday:  Waiting on . . .

Now for the rest of my time in books, which is being shared on these blogs:
 

 Sunday Post hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer  

Showcase Sunday hosted by Vicky at  Books, Biscuits, and Tea
It's Monday! What Are You Reading? hosted by Sheila at Book Journey 

Finished reading . . .

    The Sisterhood by Helen Bryan

Reading now . . .

  

Evil Librarian by Michelle Knudsen;  A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler 

Downloaded . . .

Born & Bred by Peter Murphy, After the Fire by Kathryn Shay, and The Garden at Sunset by Martin Turnbull

From Amy Einhorn Books/Penguin Debut Author Reading Program . . .

    My Sunshine Away by M.O. Walsh

Reading next . . .

      ?????? I'm having a hard time deciding !!!!!!

What did you read this week?  

. . . What did you add to your shelves or wish list?  

. . . . . . What are you reading next?

Enjoy life with books . . .

Catherine

Weekly Book Recap #90 was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.com.  This post cannot be republished without attribution.

Waiting on Wednesday: One Step Too Far

 

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature of the Breaking the Spine blog.  It's a great way to share information about forthcoming books with other readers.  Today I'm featuring One Step Too Far by Tina Seskis.

 

Publisher:  HarperCollins Publishers

Publication Date:  January 27, 2015

From barnesandnoble.com:  The #1 international bestseller reminiscent of After I’m Gone, Sister, Before I Go to Sleep, and The Silent Wife—an intricately plotted, thoroughly addictive thriller that introduces a major new voice in suspense fiction—a mesmerizing and powerful novel that will keep you guessing to the very end.

No one has ever guessed Emily’s secret.

Will you?

A happy marriage. A beautiful family. A lovely home. So what makes Emily Coleman get up one morning and walk right out of her life—to start again as someone new?

Now, Emily has become Cat, working at a hip advertising agency in London and living on the edge with her inseparable new friend, Angel. Cat’s buried any trace of her old self so well, no one knows how to find her. But she can't bury the past—or her own memories.

And soon, she’ll have to face the truth of what she's done—a shocking revelation that may push her one step too far. . . 

 

 

Which book are you waiting for?

...Will you add this one to your list of must-reads?

Waiting on Wednesday: One Step Too Far was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.com.  This post cannot be republished without attribution.

 

First Chapter ~ First Paragraph #85 and Teaser Tuesdays

   It's Tuesday . . . time to share book excerpts with:
         

• First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros hosted by Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea, where bloggers post the first paragraph(s) of a book they are currently reading or planning to read sometime soon.

• Teaser Tuesdays hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading, where bloggers post two (2) random “teaser” sentences--no spoilers allowed--to try to entice others to seek out these books.

Today I'm featuring the opening and a teaser from a current read, The Sisterhood by Helen Bryan--a Kindle purchase that I am reading for one of my book clubs.

   

Prologue

From the Chronicle of Las Sors Santas de Jesus, Las Golondrinas Convent,

Andalusia, Spain, June 1552

It is midnight, but only the orphanage children sleep.  At sunset a messenger came from the valley to warn the Abbess.  Like wolves slinking toward the sheepfold, the Inquisition tribunal are drawing closer and will soon be upon us.  All in the order, from the youngest novice to elderly bedridden Sor Augustina, are awake, praying the queen will intervene, and for courage if she does not.  We must remember the example of our beloved Foundress in her hour of trial.

Chapter I

 Pacific Coast of South America, Spring 1983

The first signs appeared in December.  By Navidad the warm seas yielded dying fish to the fishermen's nets.  Anxious women crowded into the churches, to light candles and beseech God, the Virgin, and all the saints to stay the hand of El Nino.  The peasants clung to their superstition that naming the capricious atmospheric phenomenon after the Christ Child might appease it.  But this time El Nino came in the guise of the Devil, El Diablo, to turn the noon sky a strange color.  People looked skyward uneasily and crossed themselves, muttering prayers as midday turned black as night, the wind rose, and a hard rain began to fall.  The sky sank lower and lower and the wind gained strength, and people called on older, darker gods before abandoning prayers altogether to shout for their children and run for shelter.

--------------------------

Teaser:  "It began to dawn on her that she might be in more trouble than she thought.  No one knew where she was." ~ p.66 (19% of Kindle version)

----------------------  

 

What do you think?  Would you continue reading? 

 

My thoughts:  This work of historical fiction, which spans several continents and centuries, is an engaging page turner.  From Spain during the Inquisition to contemporary times in Europe, and North and South America, the characters and storyline have me captivated.  I'm sure there's a lively book discussion in my future.

What are you reading now or planning to read soon?

 

 

First Chapter ~ First Paragraph #85 and Teaser Tuesdays was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.com.  This post cannot be republished without attribution.

Weekly Book Recap #89

Hello everyone . . . I'm only now catching up on all things books after being away for a week at Thanksgiving.  I spent a lovely time in Dublin, which included a visit with family, a birthday celebration, and a traditional (American, not Irish) holiday meal.

The calendar says December and all around me are seasonal decorations and events, and people who seem much more prepared for the holidays than I am.  I went to my first holiday dinner on Friday night--an annual meet-up with some former co-workers from a library I used to work at.  It's always fun to see these folks for the latest updates and to reminisce about our shared experiences.   There are lots more gatherings in the coming weeks, and while I'm looking forward to them, I'm a little concerned about finding the time to shop and decorate in between.  I somehow always manage to get everything done, but never without a little bit of stress.  Oh wait--I just remembered my secret coping strategy--a glass of egg nog almost every evening, usually sipped while reading a good book . . . after all, 'tis the season . . .

And now for my book recap . . .

First, the past week's posts:
Tuesday:  First Chapter & Teaser
Wednesday:  Waiting on . . .
Friday:  The Friday 56 & Book Beginning
Saturday: Review/Giveaway: Murder the Tey Way

Now for the rest of my time in books, which is being shared on these blogs:

 

 Sunday Post hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer  

Showcase Sunday hosted by Vicky at  Books, Biscuits, and Tea
It's Monday! What Are You Reading? hosted by Sheila at Book Journey 

 

Finished reading . . .

      

Lost & Found by Brooke Davis:  My Thoughts 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Murder the Tey Way by Marilyn Levinson:  My Thoughts

      

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin:  My Thoughts 

    

Florence Gordon by Brian Morton:  My Thoughts

Reading now . . . 

    Evil Librarian by Michelle Knudsen

    The Sisterhood by Helen Bryan 

Purchased in Dublin . . .

Going Back by Rachael English,  The Woman Who Stole My Life by Marian Keyes, Into the Night Sky by Caroline Finnerty, and A History of Loneliness by John Boyne

Downloaded . . .

                  

                    

                                                    

You Had Me at Merlot by Marley Gibson, What Happens at Christmas by Victoria Alexander, The Sisterhood by Helen Bryan, Strong Spirits by Alice Duncan, The Girl In Between by Laekan Zea Kemp, Autumn in Carthage by Christopher Zenos, London Falling by Emma Carr

Borowed from the library . . .

                    

                                         

Compulsion by Martina Boone, A New York Christmas by Anne Perry, The Paris Winter by Imogen Robertson, Want You Dead by Peter James, and Blackbird by Anna Carey

Reading next . . .

  A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler

 

 

 

What did you read this week?  

. . . What did you add to your shelves or wish list?  

. . . . . . What are you reading next?

Enjoy life with books . . .

Catherine

Weekly Book Recap #89 was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.com.  This post cannot be republished without attribution.