Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Where Is Your Bookmark? (11/11/2014)


Both my daughter and I have the day off today, and so you will not see me around. At least not until tomorrow. While for us it will most likely be a day full of games and board books and maybe some time at the park, it is also the day Americans take the time to honor and give thanks to the veterans, including my late father and grandfather, who sacrificed so much for our sakes.  To be honest, I don't just think of them on days like today, but rather all year round.  I suppose having been a military brat has something to do with that.  There will always be a special place in my heart for our soldiers--and their families. 


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My reading has been progressing at a snail's pace recently. It's in part because I have been so busy, but also because my current book, Lynne Branard's The Art of Arranging Flowers hasn't grabbed me quite as much as I would like. Caspette (The Narrative Casuality) mentioned the other day that it might not be the best read for me right now, given everything I have going on. She might be right. I had been considering trying The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey next, but I think my mood might be better suited for something much lighter.  Maybe a cozy mystery or a holiday romance.

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.


The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey is set in Alaska during the 1920's and is a re-telling of an old Russian fairy tale. Just from the first paragraph, I can tell I am going to love the writing. It's described as a heartbreaking story by some and has gotten great reviews.
Mabel had known there would be silence. That was the point, after all. No infants cooing or wailing. No neighbor children playfully hollering down the lane. No pad of small feet on wooden stairs worn smooth by generations, or clackety-clack of toys along the kitchen floor. All those sounds of her failure and regret would be left behind, and in their place there would be silence.
Just based on the introduction, 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.

42 comments:

  1. I hope you and Mouse have a wonderful day off, doing all the things both of you enjoy. :)

    The Snow Child sounds intriguing to me. I'm very curious with the story after reading the introduction.

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    1. Melody - We had a very nice day, thank you. :-)

      I finished The Art of Arranging Flowers last night, but still haven't settled on my next book. I'm tempted to dive into The Snow Child even despite the more heavy content.

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  2. Yay, glad u are trying this one Wendy. Just finished it and liked it, but a bit too long. Love the cover too.

    Have a great day off with Mouse.

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    1. Diane - I figured it was a good fit for the What's In A Name Challenge, and I've been wanting to read it. I am glad you liked it, Diane!

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  3. Enjoy your day off! It's certainly nice to have a day in the middle of the week off.

    I have been curious about Snow Child for a long time, but I haven't yet made the jump to try it out. I will be looking forward to your thoughts, whenever you get to it.

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    1. Athira - Thank you! Having yesterday made Monday feel like it's own little week. And then today felt too much like a Monday too. It was nice to have the day off though. I just prefer days off attached to the weekend. :-)

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  4. My dad was a veteran of 3 wars so I know just how you feel. Enjoy your day with Mouse!

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    1. Kathy - The Marine Corps birthday comes right before Veteran's Day every year, and both have always been important days in our family. I miss calling my dad to let him know I didn't forget those two special days.

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  5. A wonderful tribute to all veterans.

    Oh I loved The Snow Child. Read by my readers group it was one of the few novels we all agreed on.

    Busy reading the new Jodi Picoult, Leaving Time. It is quite different from her other books and so far I'm very impressed by it.

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    1. Tracy - I am glad to hear you loved The Snow Child. I have heard many good things about it.

      I look forward to reading your thoughts on Picoult's new book. You saying it's quite different from her other books, you have me especially curious. :-)

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  6. Yep, I've read this one. Loved every word of it. Hope you enjoy it.

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    1. Topazshell - That's good to know! I hope I do too. If the intro is anything to go by, I'm sure I will. :-)

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  7. Hope you and Mouse have a wonderful day!

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    1. Jenclair - Thank you! We had a very nice day. It was quiet and mostly peaceful--peaceful where it mattered. :-) We were both sad to see it end, but, boy, did we sleep well last night.

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  8. Love the description in the opening. The author definitely creates a mood. I'd keep reading to find out exactly where she/he is. A retirement community?
    My Tuesday post features THE LEGACY LETTERS.

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    1. Sandra - Isn't it well done? It really sets the tone instantly, doesn't it?

      Mabel and her husband are actually in Alaska, deciding to retreat from most of the rest of the world.

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  9. I like the writing style, although I can sense a sadness...

    My Tuesday post: http://www.bookclublibrarian.com/2014/11/first-chapter-first-paragraph-82-and.html

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    1. Catherine - Yes, there is a sadness there, isn't there?

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  10. This one sounds a bit too sad for me, but I hope you enjoy it!

    Here's Mine: http://www.sarahsbookshelves.com/fiction/first-chapter-first-paragraph-tuesday-intro-martian-andy-weir/

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    1. Sarah - I do hear there is hope in the book as well. I'm looking forward to reading it.

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  11. I'm not sure about this one. I like the writing style but not the fact that it will be heartbreaking. I hope that you enjoy it!

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    1. Monica - One has to be in a particular mood to deal with heartbreaking in a book. At least I know I do.

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  12. Sounds tragic, but I love the descriptive writing!

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    1. Fredamans - I don't mind tragic most of the time. :-) Depends on my mood.

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  13. Sometimes it is just best better to set aside a book that isn't working for you and go back to it later on. I usually go to a mystery or romance if I am struggling to find time to read as well. Usually one of the two will suck me back in and get my reading going again. Enjoy the day with your daughter! It sounds lovely to me :)

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    1. Samantha - Yes, I agree. Sometimes it is better to move on to another book. There was a lot I liked about The Art of Arranging Flowers. It's actually a sweet story in some respects. The writing, I think, is what slowed me down some.

      With my surgery next week, I am thinking light will be the order of the day given my concentration on pain meds might not be too great. LOL We'll see.

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  14. Hope your day off was great. I enjoyed this book.

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    1. Nise' - I had a great day, thanks! And it's good to know you liked The Snow Child. :-)

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  15. I want to read or listen to The Snow Child one of these days. Right now I'm listening to Some Luck by Jane Smiley and it's really good so far. Hope you and the Mouse had a good day. Sorry I've been so absent lately. Lots going on but hopefully I'll be around more going forward.

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    1. Darlene - I've wanted to read it for awhile now too. I am glad to hear you are enjoying Smiley's book. She's an author I have yet to try.

      Mouse and I had a nice day yesterday. :-) I've missed seeing you around and hope everything is okay.

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  16. this sounds like a really good book. My hats off to the veterans do. My dad fought in the Korean War. Have a nice week. kelley—the road goes ever ever on

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    1. Kelley - I have a feeling I will really like The Snow Child.

      Thank you to your father for his service!

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  17. I'm not sure I would commit to this one, but I'd keep reading a little more before I decided. I'd want to know more about what it is about.

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    1. Kim - I found it hard to stop at just the first paragraph. I am still deciding if now is the time to read it or if I want to put it off a little longer. I will get to it this year though. At least that I'm sure of.

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  18. I generally like fairy tale retellings, so I'd give it a chance to suck me in.

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    1. Suzie - I've enjoyed the fairy tale re-tellings I have read. Although I do not always gravitate towards them.

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  19. Enjoy the day of with Mouse! Gage has every Friday off school so those are fun days for us :)

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  20. I really enjoyed this though the beginning is a bit bleak. If you're really distracted this might not be the best. I have The Art of Arranging Flowers as well but haven't started it yet. I look forward to seeing what you end up with!

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    1. Katherine - I ended up deciding against reading Snow Child just yet, as beautiful as that intro was.

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