YvonneEvery time Billy looked out his front sliding-glass door, he saw the ugly, gray LA winter afternoon move that much closer to dark. A noticeable difference each time. Then he laughed, and chastised himself out loud, saying, ‘What did we think, Billy Boy, that sunset would change its mind and break with tradition just this one night?’
He looked out again, hiding behind his curtain and wrapping it around himself as he leaned in front of the glass.
The little girl was still there.
‘We know what this means,’ he said. ‘Don’t we?’
But he didn’t answer himself. Because he did know. So there was really no need to belabor the conversation …
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That’s almost the perfect beginning for me. There are so many unanswered questions, right there, in those first few lines, that to close the cover, put the book back on the shelf and walk away, just isn’t an option!
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WHAT IS ‘BOOK BEGINNINGS’ AND HOW CAN YOU JOIN IN THE FUN?
Would the first few lines of your book make you want to read on?
If so, would you like to share them with us, (without revealing too many spoilers of course) ?
Click here and visit Gilion @ Rose City Reader
You can then leave a link to your own book beginnings post, or just browse for some great reads, there are always plenty of new authors and titles to be discovered.
Don’t forget that Gilion and all the other contributors to this meme love to hear from you, so why not leave a comment or two at the same time.
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As the book was a competition win, this print copy was donated and sent to me by the organiser, Nikki-Ann at ‘Notes Of Life’ .
This will in no way influence any comments I may express about the book, in any blog article I may post. Any thoughts or comments are my own personal opinion and I am in no way being monetarily compensated for this, or any other article.
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I’m a fan of Catherine Ryan Hydes! She’s one of the first authors to email me about a book review, and I was tickled pink over that. Ive read Pay It Forward and Chasing Windmills and enjoyed both very much. Happy reading, this one sounds good. She’s a wonderful writer.
Hi Naida,
Catherine is an author that I hadn’t come across, until Nikki mentioned her, so I entered the competition on a whim, not really knowing much about her, or her writing, only knowing that the premise for the book sounded like something I would enjoy.
Since the competition win, Catherine has taken the time to mail me direct, so I really want to treat the book in the way I would any other author review request.
Nikki currently has another competition running to win a copy of Catherine’s latest book, ‘When You Were Older’, due for release to you in the US very soon, so that might be another book for your reading list!
http://notesoflife.co.uk/2012/11/ask-catherine-ryan-hyde/
Thanks for stopping by, hope all is returning to some sort of normality for you folks living on the East Coast and have a good weekend.
Thanks for the link Yvonne, When You Were Older sounds good as well.
Well, I am very happy to say we are getting back to normal here. We are so lucky as some are still in the dark, including one of my co-workers and several of my children’s schoolmates.
Enjoy your weekend as well 🙂 I plan to stay in my pajamas as much as possible!
Hi Naida,
Being without power at this time of year can be no fun at all and we have been seeing the pictures of all those people who have been left completely homeless. You feel so helpless, especially when insurance companies ‘drag their heels’ and take so long making decisions, which affect people’s lives so drastically.
Lucky you! We have a very early start and need to leave the house by 7.30am! Sunday is definitely lined up for a lie-in though and a day doing household chores!
I agree — this is an opening that DEMANDS you read more! This author is new to me, but I’ll definitely look for her books. Thank you for introducing me to her.
I’m featuring A RELIABLE WIFE on my blog today.
Hi Sandra,
Catherine is certainly an author I will be following from now on and hopefully I shall be able to find time to check out her earlier books as well.
From the looks of things, she isn’t frightened to tackle difficult and highly emotionally charged issues, just my kind of in depth and demanding reading.
Thanks for stopping by and I hope that you have a great weekend.
It sure sets it up for a lot to happen!
Thanks for including it in Book Beginnings!
Hi Gilion,
There are certainly more questions than answers in those few lines, aren’t there?
This book sounds as though it is going to be something of an emotional rollercoaster.
Thanks for hosting ‘Book Beginnings’, it is a great meme.
That is a great beginning. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Jo,
This is certainly an ‘I need to read more opening’, isn’t it?
If you also check out the full synopsis, you will see why I am so eager to read this one
https://www.fiction-books.biz/my-latest-news-and-musings/mailbox-monday-24102011/
Thanks for taking the time to comment, it is always appreciated.
I know exactly what you mean! Those first lines are enough to keep me hooked . . . perhaps for good. I love beginnings that start with numerous unanswered questions. Great post! Hope you like it. If you do, tell me. 🙂
Here’s my book beginning: http://thereadingkorner.blogspot.com/2012/11/against-beginning.html
Hi Kenzie,
Catherine is a new to me author, so I have spent some time checking out her website and books.
They all have some great opening lines, designed to get you hooked and needing to know more, so she obviously sets great store by the first impressions that her work creates and just how much they capture the readers’ imagination.
I am also always impressed by authors who are willing to take on important and difficult issues, to weave a work of fiction around. Catherine’s books seem to travel from one crisis of the human emotion to the next, so if I enjoy this book as much as I am hoping, then I shall have a ready made supply of great reading material lined up.
Thanks for stopping by and for your thoughtful comments, they are always appreciated.
I actually donated the book (I had to check, but Catherine donated the bookmarks). In any case, I really hope you enjoy reading Don’t Let Me Go and I’m looking forward to hearing of your thoughts once you’re finished.
I do love Catherine’s books and she’s a wonderful person too.
Take care 🙂
Hi Nikki,
My sincere apologies for the error, I have edited the post to read that you donated and sent me the print copy of the book, it was a genuine mistake.
I have been following your discussions with Catherine and your reviews of her books and I agree that she seems like an amazing person, as well as being a very perceptive and innovative writer.
The book you featured as your current giveaway ‘When You Were Older’, sounds very good and yet another example of Catherine not being afraid to tackle the difficult issues of life.
‘Don’t Let Me Go’ is next on my reading pile and I haven’t read past those first few lines yet, but already I am hooked. A book with a strong opening always bodes well as far as I am concerned.
Thanks for stopping by, I value your comments and observations.
Hi Yvonne,
No problem!
The answers to everyone’s questions are now up on the blog, I hope you enjoy reading them 🙂
I hope you’re well.
Nikki.
Hi Nikki,
I shall be over to read your post a little later, when I can read it leisurely.
I had thought about contributing a question, but it seemed a bit of a cheek when I have taken so long to read ‘Don’t Let Me Go’, however, I shall definitely be reading more of Catherine’s books, of that I am sure.
Once again, I am very sorry for the mix up.
I am quite well, thanks for asking. Like most of the rest of the population, I have had a cold, which has lingered around for days and days, but I think that is finally on its last legs now.
I hope that you are also keeping as well as possible.