Tuesday, June 03, 2014

Where Is Your Bookmark? (06/03/2014)



Both my husband and I have a busy week at work ahead of us, both are scheduled to work overtime at varying times throughout the week.  This will be the first time ever my daughter, and I have not seen each other awake for an entire day.  While many parents have left their young ones to go on overnight trips many times over by the time their child reaches Mouse's age, I have yet to.  So, there's some anxiety there.  I'm not even leaving her overnight, for goodness sake!  I will just be leaving the house before we wakes and coming home after she is asleep.  Easy peasy, right?  It will go well.  I will survive.  So will Mouse.  And at the end of the week, we will enjoy birthday cake in celebration of my husband's birthday.  

As for reading, I indulged in a little paranormal romance this past week, finishing Carla Susan Smith's A Vampire's Promise and A Vampire's Soul.  I enjoyed both (more than I thought I would, actually).  You can guess the novels involved a vampire.  I am now reading a more serious book called Losing Touch by Sandra Hunter, about an Indian family living in London during the mid-1960's through the 1970's.  I am already invested in the lives the of the characters, not sure what I think of Arjun.  One minute I find myself empathizing with him and then the next, I don't like him very much.  The novel deal with familial conflicts, debilitating health concerns, as well as cultural issues.  So far, I am enjoying the book.

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.



Here is the opening paragraphs from my current read, Losing Touch by Sandra Hunter:
The viewing of the body has started.  Arjun breathes in cold chapel air, looks around at his family, the Kulkanis, and friends of Kulkanis, and those married to Kulkanis.  The family is large and loud and quarrelsome, but today they are a subdued queue, forming in front of the coffin.  Jonti: beloved younger brother; quick-witted answers that found him an architect's job in London, but not quick enough to outpace the disease that took him at thirty-two.  Five years younger than Arjun.  It is wrong.  
An overripe west London September presses damp, sticky heat into the small chapel.  Even so, Arjun's hands are cold.  is wife, Sunila, sits beside him wearing dark glasses; his son, Murad, is scowling and his daughter, Tarani - what convinced her to wear purple?
 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.

46 comments:

  1. I like that intro Wendy, so I'd read more. The cat in the box os too cute as well, and I'm sure Mouse will be just fine with your work situation this week....don't worry mom.

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    1. Diane - Parker loves his boxes. :-) I'm sure Mouse will be fine, although I don't imagine it will be an easy evening for my husband getting her to sleep.

      So far, I am enjoying Losing Touch.

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  2. Carl used to leave before Vance woke up and come after he was asleep quite often and, one day, Vance asked me, "Where does Daddy live?" The kids survive it better than their parents. I hope this week isn't too crazy for you.

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    1. Kathy - I am sure you are right, Kathy, about kids surviving these things much better than their parents. :-) I still remember how hard it was the first time Mouse when to daycare. The first several weeks were hard for me--but she had a blast and still does.

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  3. Hopefully the week will end before you know it! I don't like doing overtime at all, and try to avoid it as much as I can, but sometimes, it just has to happen. That book sounds good - I don't think I've heard about it before.

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    1. Athira - I would like the week to go fast! At least get me through Thursday, and I'll be good. Then the weekend can take its time. :-)

      I am not a big fan of overtime either, to be honest. An hour here and there is one thing. I need the hours though, so I'll take it where I can get it without driving myself insane for the time being.

      I'm not too far into Losing Touch yet, but I am enjoying it. The focus shifts between characters, giving the reader different perspectives.

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  4. I'm sure that your husband and Mouse will have extra fun to make up for your not being there for as the saying goes when the cats away the mouse will play.

    Wow, that is some opening paragraph. It certainly captured my attention.

    I'm busy reading Solomon's Bride by Rebecca Hazell in preparation for the Book Tour I'll be participating in later this month.

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    1. Tracy - I am sure they will. My husband said they might drop by with dinner, so I can at least give my little one a hug. :-)

      I hope you are enjoying Solomon's Bride!

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  5. def would keep reading - it's got my interest for sure!
    and I know that Sept heat in London..
    my tt is a bit of classic nostalgia

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    1. Faith - I am enjoying it so far! I have never been to London, but I would like to go someday.

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  6. I used to work all day and attend graduate school at night, so I often didn't see the kids on those long days. They manage.

    Your excerpt is intriguing...thanks for sharing and for visiting my blog.

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    1. Laurel-Rain - I'm sure she'll manage, but will I? LOL

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  7. Your first paragraph sounds like it might be a good family saga. I'd keep reading.

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    1. Margot - I think so too. Counting down to my lunch hour when I can read more!

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  8. I like the writing style and would keep reading. Hope your week passes quickly and the weekend is a wonderful celebration.

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    1. Jenclair - I like the writing too. I hope the novel continues to be as good as it's been so far.

      Thank you! I'm hoping for a quick week too!

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  9. I'm not sure this one is for me, but hope you enjoy it! Thanks for stopping by my blog today.

    Here's Mine: http://www.sarahsbookshelves.com/fiction/first-chapter-first-paragraph-tuesday-intros-secret-life-violet-grant-beatriz-williams/

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    1. Sarah - It's a refreshing change from what I have been reading lately.

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  10. Indian family!! I will definitely check it out!!

    Here is my intro post from Song for Sophia by Moriah Densley.

    AND

    Here is my teaser post from Extra Care by Alina Cosma .

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    1. Guatami - I hope you like it of you do decide to read it. :-)

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  11. I would keep reading, it has so many things that attract me in a book. Hope your long day goes well and Happy Birthday to your husband.

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    1. Nise' - I thought so too! It sounded like it would be good. And fortunately, so far it is!

      Thank you for the birthday wishes for my husband. I know he's not excited about his big day, but Mouse is and so we'll make it extra special for him. :-)

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  12. This sounds really good and I'd continue reading.

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  13. I have this one sitting on my shelf now...just waiting for me!
    Thanks for stopping by!

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    1. Kim - I hope you like it when you get to it! I am enjoying it so far.

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  14. A funeral is a sad beginning, but I definitely like the descriptions! I also like the contrast between the Indian clothes and the tea cup on the cover, although tea is, of course, originally Indian! I hope you enjoy it :)
    My Intro
    Juli @ Universe in Words

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    1. Juli - Yes, it is a sad way to open a book, isn't it? It's good so far. I really like the cover too. :-)

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  15. I have put this on my "TBR" shelf at GoodReads.

    Our mama kitty, Whiskers, looks alot like your Anya.

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    1. LuAnn - I hope you enjoy the book when read it!

      Whiskers must be a beautiful cat then. :-) I loved Anya's coloring.

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  16. I definitely would keep reading. Love the writing. I've had to leave the Tornado like that once and I absolutely hated it but it absolutely couldn't be avoided. But you're right we both survived and to be honest I'd forgotten about it until just now. Looks like you're going to have a crazy week but hopefully you'll be able to work in some reading/down time. LOVE the cat picture. Why do they all adore boxes?

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    1. Katherine - It's interesting so far, and I'm enjoying it. :-)

      I know it's silly to worry about something like that, but a parent does when it's the first time or something out of the ordinary.

      I am definitely hoping for some reading/down time!

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  17. The vampire books sound good, as does Losing Touch. Happy reading :O)
    And hope the long day goes by fast! I know its tough balancing work and the kids. Take care!

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    1. Naida - I liked the vampire books. I need to write my review of them. Somehow I fell behind on reviews and have five to write. I always find it hard to start reading a new book when I am so far behind . . . Luckily, Losing Touch is different enough I'm not as worried about getting confused. :-)

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  18. It's tough being a working mother, isn't it? I was lucky that the previous job I took didn't require much overtime, only occasionally. My SIL works overtime most of the time, and I feel for her children; they crave for attention and it isn't a good sight sometimes.

    That book sounds interesting! Will have to check it out.

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    1. Melody - I try to avoid working overtime when I can. I hate giving up my family time for work, but sometimes it is necessary. It's hard enough having to work in the first place--but I do like my job, and so I'm lucky in that. And I'd rather be working than not working, especially in this economy.

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  19. I am intrigued at the author's use of a viewing at the very start of the book--it really got my attention, so I would continue reading.

    Thanks for visiting my blog.

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    1. Catherine - I think it's a good set up for what is to come. A way to get to know some of the family dynamics, especially.

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  20. That's a sad beginning. I'd have to read a little more before deciding. Enjoy your book. kelley—the road goes ever ever on

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    1. Kelley - Yes, it is. It's not a happy book, that's for sure.

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  21. Losing Touch sounds interesting. I'm from a half-South Asian family from a different place (the US) and a different time (80s/90s), but I wonder if the novel touches on the types of cultural conflicts I experienced. I might just look into it.

    I hope this week goes well for you and your family. It WILL be fine, but that doesn't make it easy.

    As for my reading this week, I'm not as far along in Kate Bracy's That Crazy Little Thing as I thought I'd be by now because I took a little break to re-read Shakespeare's Richard III! I'll be back to That Crazy Little Thing tonight.

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    1. A.M.B. - I am nearly done with Losing Touch now, and it focuses much more on family issues rather than cultural ones, although that is a part of it too to some extent.

      So far the week is going okay. I just have to get through tomorrow . . . :-)

      Enjoy your reading!

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  22. Hm, not sure on the opening - bit confusing with this large family? As long as it gets to a stage where one can easily distinguish between the main 'players'.
    And … Mouse will be fine :) Some here, I just always had to work and gosh did I feel bad at times. Now my children are 20, 18 and 15 and they thank me that they are independent, can cook, look after the house etc. And now it's different worries arrrgh. New Driving License Teenagers driving around , boy do I worry when they are out and about :)

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    1. Peggy - The cast of characters in the book is actually quite small. Four in the immediate family and a couple of more minor characters. It's really very easy to keep track. :-)

      Already driving! I can definitely see how that would worry a parent. I guess I should be lucky mine isn't close to driving. But one day . . . :-)

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  23. My 19yo works really late hours and I often don't see her in a day, sometimes a couple of days. And I still miss seeing her! You'll never stop loving your time together!

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    1. Lisa - And then they move out. I told Mouse one day she was going to move out and I'd miss her. She told me she was never going to leave me and she'd always live with me. The hearts and minds of three year olds . . .

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