Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Where Is Your Bookmark? (04/22/2014)

One day last week, Mouse and I broke with our usual evening routine.  Instead of going straight inside where we would feed the cats and do a little straightening before worrying about dinner, Mouse and I headed straight for one of the trees in our front yard.  We each got a leaf, thanked the tree for sharing, and proceeded to enjoy the last of the sunshine as we waited for Anjin to come home from work.

We laid on the grass and gazed at the moon, which was visible despite the daylight hour.  We watched the clouds slowly float by and then excitedly pointed to the big airplane as it flew higher into the sky in the distance.  We played "I spy" and watched the ants climb up our other tree.  We spun around until we fell to the ground (okay, so maybe only Mouse did the falling).  We waved to the neighbors and shushed each other once the next door neighbor's dog settled down to sleep just inside his gate. He must have realized we weren't going anywhere soon.  

Mouse and I soaked up the sun, accidentally swallowed grass (Mouse), took pretend naps on the grass and then on the driveway (because the concrete is "soft", according to Mouse), and put on a circus show.  When Anjin arrived home, we all went into the house together. 

I felt refreshed.  

Mouse singing Little Bunny Foo Foo

I am continuing to make progress in Blind Assassin, but realized I have a tour coming up and hadn't yet read the book for that. As a result, I have set Blind Assassin aside for the time being, but will return to it soon.

What are you reading at the moment?  Is it something you would recommend?



Every Tuesday Diane from Bibliophile By the Sea hosts 
First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where  
participants share the first paragraph (or a few) of a 
book they are reading or thinking about reading soon.


I am going to cheat with my First Chapter First Paragraph Intro this week.  I began reading Casebook by Mona Simpson yeseterday, which is evidently one of the "must read" books for this spring season.  The opening of the novel actually opens with a "Note to the Customer", which begins:
The book you now hold in your hands is our first venture into the old long-form technology that our pay-to-print machine in the back room has made possible.  The manuscript for this experiment was delivered to me by a hand by a young employee I first met when he wore board shorts and flip flops and came into the store, Neverland Comics, to read for free during the long afternoons of summer vacation.
The paragraph goes on to explain more about this "book" the narrator wrote along with the help of his friend. I am a huge fan of such fictional disclaimers and introductions.  They can really set a tone for a book.

And then, the book continues with chapter one:
I was a snoop, but a peculiar kind.  I only discovered what I most didn't want to know.
The first time it happened, I was nine.  I'd snaked underneath my parents' bed when the room was empty to rig up a walkie-talkie.  Then they strolled in and flopped down.  So I was stuck.  Under their bed.  Until they got up.

 Would you continue reading?


© 2014, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

37 comments:

  1. To answer your question... Yes, I'd continue reading it. That sounds like an interesting opening and my curiosity is definitely piqued.

    I'm currently reading a YA "Lola and The Boy Next Door" by Stephanie Perkins. A sweet story of past love and finding that same love towards the future. I'm enjoying it! :)

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    1. Melody - I'm really enjoying Casebook so far. It's a fairly quick read too.

      Stephanie Perkins' book sounds like a good one. I am glad you are enjoying it!

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    2. Mouse and the use and the group were so cute- special times. Love the intro as well.

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  2. That time outside with Mouse sounds like it was magical. It's a reminder to step back and rejoice in the little things in life.

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    1. Kathy - Yes, it really was nice to step back and just . . . live in the moment. A good reminder of why we should too. I have many such moments with Mouse. :-)

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  3. I would...and I did. I just finished this one, and I must admit that I found the "snoopers" too intrusive of the adults' private lives, but in the end, I was satisfied by their discoveries. Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.

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    1. Laurel-Rain - The kids sure do go to some extreme measures, don't they? I'm not yet half way through the book, but I imagine I will finish it before long. I am enjoying it so far.

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  4. I like the intro -seems this book will have a bit of humor! I think I would want to get a bit more info also.

    Here's Mine: http://www.sarahsbookshelves.com/fiction/first-chapter-first-paragraph-tuesday-intros-shotgun-lovesongs/

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    1. Sarah - The intro doesn't really say a lot about what the book is about, does it? There is definitely some humor in the book. :-)

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  5. Casebook is everywhere lately. It sounds interesting... hope you enjoy it.
    The break from your evening routine makes me remember special times when my girls were younger - thanks for sharing!

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    1. JoAnn - It seems like it is everywhere, doesn't it? I was hesitant at first to jump on the bandwagon to read it, but, so far at least, I am glad I did.

      I love moments like that with my daughter. I want to hold onto them forever. :-)

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  6. I took more than two months to finish The Blind Assassin. It was well worth it!

    Here is my Intro post!

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    1. Gautami - Two months! I hope it doesn't take me that long. LOL I don't think I will meet the end of the month deadline like I hoped, but hopefully I won't be too far off.

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  7. Sounds like a lovely time as dusk settled in. Casebook sounds interesting. I would keep reading.

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    1. Pat - I wish I could do that every day with my daughter. Casebook is such an interesting book. It's written from the point of view of a child but the themes are very adult oriented.

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  8. Hmm...not sure about this one. It has my interest for now.
    Thanks for stopping by.

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    1. Kim - I wasn't sure when I first read the description of Casebook, but the more I read about the book, the more I decided I had to give it a try.

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  9. Sounds really interesting, I'd certainly be tempted into reading more I think. I agree about how that sort of start can set the tone. Thanks for visiting and commenting on my post too!

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    1. Lindsay - Casebook is a pretty fast read I'm finding. It's really good so far.

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  10. this book sounds really interesting. I'd read more. Thanks so much for stopping by today. kelley—the road goes ever ever on

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    1. Kelley - I don't often read books narrated by a child, which makes it a bit different than my usual fare.

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  11. You are right, this kind of opening is unusual and make me want to continue. I would continue. And isn't it always true… when snooping, we only ever seem to discover what we really didn't want to know :)
    My post is here

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    1. Peggy - Yes, snooping can definitely uncover things you wish you'd never known.

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  12. Sounds like a fun book. I think I'd stick with it. I love your afternoon. It sounds wonderful and just fun! I'm not good about doing spontaneous stuff but every time I do I always think I should let go more often!

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    1. Katherine - I know what you mean. I am not nearly as spontaneous as I wish I could be. It always feels like something needs to get done . . . And yet it's freeing to know I can just drop everything and be for a little while. I think we need those moments. Both with our kids and for ourselves.

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  13. Sounds like it could be good. I'd keep going.

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    1. Yvonne - So far it is! It's a quiet book. Not a whole lot of action, but it's interesting.

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  14. I like the opening and would continue reading. I've added this book to my wish list. Thanks for visiting my blog.

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    1. Catherine - I hope you like it when you read it, Catherine!

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  15. Loved the intro and would keep reading.

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    1. Nise' - I am anxious to see how the book comes out in the end. I like it so far.

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  16. Oh dear having read and not enjoyed the last two must read books I'm not convinced by Casebook. Still never say never, there is always the exception and this might be it.

    Almost finished If The Dead Rise Not by Philip Kerr, its not a book I'd recommend.

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    1. Tracy - I hesitated before deciding to give Casebook a try. Sometimes I prefer to let the initial love fest for a book die down before attempting it myself, but when I got the opportunity to review Casebook, I decided it was worth jumping in now. I'm glad I did.

      I am sorry to hear Kerr's book isn't as good as it sounded for you.

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  17. It sounds like you and mouse had a nice afternoon!
    Casebook sounds different, I'd keep reading.

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    1. Naida - It was a beautiful afternoon. :-)

      I just finished Casebook. Such a great book!

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  18. Ah what a wonderful time with Mouse! And, doesn't she look so cute singing :)

    Very intriguing opening to Casebook! Can't wait to hear more about it!

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  19. Iliana - We had such a nice time!

    I really enjoyed Casebook. My review will go up later this week. :-)

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