Monday, February 08, 2016

Where Is Your Bookmark? (02/09/2016)

I began reading The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams this weekend, and thought I would share a bit of it with you today. It's a young adult novel about a thirteen-year-old girl who is being told she must marry her much older uncle, an Apostle of the polygamist sect her family belongs to, despite her unwillingness to do so.



Every Tuesday Diane from Bibliophile By the Sea 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. It is also where I share my first impressions about the book I am sharing.

If I was going to kill the Prophet," I say, not even keeping my voice low, I'd do it in Africa." 
I look into Mariah's light green eyes. 
She stares back and me and smiles, like she knows what I mean and agrees, Like she's saying, "Go on, Kyra. Tell me more." 

Every Tuesday, Jenn from A Daily Rhythm hosts Teaser Tuesdays at which time participants grab their current read, open to a random page, and share a couple or more "teaser" sentences from that page while avoiding any spoilers.

Teaser from page 19 of The Chosen One:
Music carries me away. Has since I was little. I can feel notes under my skin. Feel music in my muscles. Sometimes I even dream in Mozart or Beethoven scores. In the dreams, people speak out black and white musical notes, not words. And I understand every bit of it, exactly what they're saying, when I dream.

One from page 86:
"This is what I know. What your father knows. This is our lives. We are obedient." 
It's not my life, I think.

And another one from page 103:
He lowered his voice, talking as though I wasn't there. "Books aren't allowed. Where did you get this?" His hand smoothed across the cover.


What do you think? Would you keep reading?  

The opening sentence is quite telling, given the type of lifestyle the main character was born and raised into. Obedience is everything. The reader knows immediately she's perhaps not the most faithful of the bunch.

I liked the first teaser I shared--how Kyra is drawn to music. I love the image and feel of her words in that paragraph. The other two teasers (I went a bit overboard with the teasers, I know) offer a glimpse of just what Kyra is up against in the environment she lives in.

This is my first book by Carol Lynch Williams, and is proving to be a heartbreaking one. I am having trouble tearing myself away. 

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


Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely ladies at Broke and Bookish.

This week's  Top Ten Tuesday theme is Valentine's Day themed freebie! I have decided to make a list of the most memorable literary couples I have met in the last five years. It turned out to be a little tougher than I anticipated, but I think I narrowed it down to my top ten. These aren't necessarily romance novels.

1. Diana Bishop and Matthew Clairmont from the All Souls Trilogy (which begins with A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness) ~ I enjoyed this trilogy quite a bit and the connection between Diana, a witch, and Matthew a vampire.



2. Bess Heath and Tom Cole from The Day the Falls Stood Still by Cathy Marie Buchanan ~ Oh, how I loved them and didn't want their story to end! Set in the early 1900's, this historical novel is beautiful and bittersweet. It's one of my favorite books.



3. Lily and Robbie from Somewhere in France by Jennifer Robson. I'm a sucker for a World War I setting, and this historical novel won me over quickly. I adored Lily, an ambulance driver, and Robbie, a doctor.



4. Peter Lake and Beverly Penn from A Winter's Tale by Mark Helprin ~ I did not like this epic fantasy novel as much as I had hoped. I gave it a low rating, in fact, but it had its good points, among them the love story between Peter and Beverly.



5. Susan Trinder and Maud Lilly in Fingersmith by Sarah Waters, a novel set in Victorian times. A modern classic about two women from very different walks of life brought together by secrets and lies, greed and betrayal. An amazing book.



6. Simon Wolfgard and Meg from the Others series by Anne Bishop (Written in Red is the first in a dark fantasy series). It may be a stretch to list them as they haven't officially become a couple, but their feelings for each other are quite obvious, and I think most of us who are reading the series think of them that way.



7. Eleanor and Park from Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell ~ Set in 1986, these two young lovebirds reminded me of the first time I fell in love (with the man who would become my husband, as a matter of fact).



8. Clare Abshire and Henry DeTamble from The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. I put off reading this one for a number of years, and while I found the ending a tad disappointing, I fell hard for Clare and Henry. I wanted to be them in the time I spent reading the book.



9. Celia and Marco from The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern spend most of the book apart, but, oh, I could not help but long for them to find each other. I listened to the audio version of this book and instantly fell in love with Jim Dale's narration of this beautiful and magical story and a circus like no other.



10. Callie McFay and well, I don't want to spoil it! from the Fairwick Chronicles (which begins with The Demon Lover) ~ I really enjoyed this trilogy written by Juliet Dark, aka Carol Goodman. Romance, mystery, magical beings, and quite a bit of suspense.



Have you met any of these couples? What are some of your favorite literary couples?


© 2016, 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.

74 comments:

  1. I adore Eleanor & Park. They made my list this week too!

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    1. Chrissi - Me too! I enjoyed getting to know them. I sometimes wonder how they are doing now (as if they were real. Haha).

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  2. Your intro and teaser sound great and I think I'd be interested in The Time Traveller's Wife as well. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Lorraine - I finished The Chosen One this morning (and ended up being a little late to work as a result. Oops!). I really enjoyed The Time Traveler's Wife. I hope you will give it a try!

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  3. So many here that I need to start, but I'm so glad to see Henry and Clare and Celia and Marco on your list!

    Check out my TTT.

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  4. I have Somewhere in France on my TBR so good to know it's a goodie! Others on your list that I would like to read too.

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    1. Cleo - I really liked Somewhere in France! I like reading about women in roles like that.

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  5. Great list! You mentioned many wonderful couples--Diana & Matthew, Celia & Marco, Lily & Robbie, Clare & Henry. Kudos for getting through The Winter's Tale; I DNF'ed it aftera few chapters, I just couldn't get into it :3

    My TTT

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    1. Lianne - Thank you! I so wanted to love Winter's Tale. Oh well. It was a challenging read.

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  6. I love your top ten valentine couples. Eleanor and Park are still in my list of special couples, but now you've given mea list of other couples I want to read about. I'm sorry I just didn't connect with your first paragraph.

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    1. Margot - Eleanor and Park are such a great couple. :-)

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  7. I need to add a lot of these to my TBR, they all look good! I loved Diana and Matthew too! I didn't add Matthew to my book boyfriends list because he's just not right for me, but he and Diana, they're definitely an OTP. Eleanor and Park make a very good couple too! Thanks for visiting my TTT! I hope you can get some more sleep!

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    1. Kim - I slept better last night, thankfully. I don't think Matthew would be for me either, although he's perfect for Diana. I just realized I didn't include Jane Eyre and Edward Rochester--although I've never been a huge fan of Rochester. Another one who isn't for me. LOL

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  8. Liked your teasers and the premise of The Chosen One. You have some great couples there.

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    1. Beth F - The Chosen One is a good one. I have read a number of books dealing with cults and polygamy in years past. It's one of the many topics that interest me.

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  9. I've read quite a few from your list of favorites, but the one that got me is the one I'm reading right now! I read Bishop's Marked in Flesh from NetGalley, but hadn't read any of her earlier books in the series. Marked in Flesh hooked me, and I started Written in Red yesterday. I was--cough, cough--up late last night.

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    1. Jenclair - You're reading The Others series! Yay! I am glad you are enjoying them so far, Jenclair. I haven't yet read Marked in Flesh (darn Triple Dog Dare), but I can't wait to get to it.

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  10. Somewhere in France looks like a nice read, and I still need to read Eleanor and Park. :)

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    1. Greg - I quite enjoyed Somewhere in France, and I highly recommend Eleanor and Park. :-)

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  11. First of all, I have not read about any of the couples you listed. Nice to know that I won't run out of books (as if!). I have read The Chosen One and it was very absorbing. I think you chose very well in your teasers. Hope you enjoy the rest of it. It's sad, right?

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    1. Kay - I finished The Chosen One this morning. I was so close last night--I ended up falling asleep right after my daughter finally did though and wasn't able to get back to it. There were a number of tense moments there! Yes, it's very sad. I can't imagine having to live that way. I suppose though, for many, they don't know any other way of life.

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  12. Your intro book doesn't sound like one for me, but I've loved several in your TTT list!

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    1. JoAnn - I've long been interested in cults, and so The Chosen One was right up my alley.

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  13. Your intro makes me curious for more Wendy; hope you enjoy it.

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    1. Diane - I did! I was able to finish it this morning. Now to decide what to read next . . .

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  14. I read The Chosen One a few years ago and thought it was great but I'm fascinated by polygamist sects for some reason. I say you should keep reading!

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    1. Kathy - Me too. There's just something fascinating about them. I had a professor in college who was very interested in cults and would tell us stories about his work helping people get out.

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  15. The Chosen One looks really good! I'd keep reading! Also, I haven't read any of your Top Ten List, but I'll be adding several of them to my list, especially Eleanor and Park.

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    1. Monica - Eleanor and Park is a good one. :-) The Chosen One is quite the emotional read!

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  16. The intro sounds intriguing and it sounds like a compelling read. I haven't read any of the books you mention but I really want to read Fingersmith and A Discovery of Witches. Night Circus and Anne Bishop in general have really been tempting me as well!

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    1. Katherine - I could easily have read The Chosen One in a day if it hadn't been for work and family. It was hard to put down. I am glad I finally read Fingersmith. I really need to read more by Waters. The All Souls Trilogy was such fun. I enjoyed all the books, but the first is probably my favorite.

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  17. Your post reminds me that I need to finish the Fairwick Chronicles!

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    1. Diana - You must! Each of the three books is so different from one another, even if featuring the same characters. I really enjoyed the trilogy.

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  18. Definitely yes to Clare/Henry and Eleanor/Park! They were awesome couples. I need to check out some of the other books - they sound good. Also, I like the sound of the book your are reading right now - will be waiting for your review.

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    1. Athira - Both were such good books, weren't they? I hated for either to end. I am glad I had the opportunity to read The Chosen One.

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  19. Books not allowed? That's a deal breaker,right there! I Hope you can stop by:

    http://collettaskitchensink.blogspot.com/2016/02/teaser-tuesday-betting-on-hope-2916.html

    Colletta

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    1. Colletta - I wouldn't want to live in an environment where books aren't allowed either. It should be a crime.

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  20. I would read more of The Chosen One. I think I have an idea about the situation she is in, I wonder if I am right? Your couples list is interesting. I only have met Clair and Henry from The Time Traveler's Wife. Eleanor and Park are on my list and now I want to meet Susan and Maude from Fingersmith.

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    1. Judy - I recommend The Chosen One if you get the chance to read it! I hope you do meet Eleanor and Park someday. As well as Susan and Maud. :-)

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  21. Love the cover on this one and it sounds interesting. Here's Mine

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    1. Paulita - I like the cover too! It is an interesting one, and I recommend it!

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  22. The Chosen One sounds intriguing!

    Great Top 10 list. I enjoyed Eleanor and Park and The Time Traveler's Wife.

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    1. Christie - It was a fun list to put together. :-) I'd like to try other books by both Audrey Niffenegger and Rainbow Rowell someday.

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  23. I am drawn into stories about young people controlled by a lifestyle that goes against their deepest feelings. I loved the excerpts....and do want to know more. Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.

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    1. Laurel-Rain - I am too, Laurel-Rain. I really like stories like this one. I hope you do get a chance to watch The Chosen One.

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  24. I wasn't a big fan of the intro. But, YES to The Time Traveller's Wife...loved that one!

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    1. Sarah - Books about cults and polygamy have always interested me. The writing for this one wasn't my favorite, but fitting given the narrator's age and experience. I really liked the book overall.

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  25. Wow, I haven't read ANY of those books! Thanks so much for the teasers and the list. I've just added at least half a dozen books to my "must check this out" list! Happy reading this week.

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    1. Joy - I hope you enjoy the ones you do read! I'm discovering quite a few new to me books today too. :-)

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  26. The Chosen One sounds like a gripping story. Your Teasers gave me a real feel for the story and made me want to know what will happen to the main character.
    Thank you for visiting my blog today.
    Sandy @ TEXAS TWANG

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    1. Sandra - As I read, I kept thinking, "But she's only 13!" It's frightening to think places like this actually exist.

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  27. I'd keep reading. I have a bizarre interest in the FLDS. It's like watching a horrifying train wreck.

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    1. Suzie - That's a good way to describe it. It's very fitting.

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  28. I've got this book on my stack. Love Eleanor and Park.

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    1. Nise' - Hurry up and read it so we can compare notes! Just kidding. I know how those TBR piles are. :-)

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  29. I still need to read A Discovery of Witches! I just saw it was optioned for tv, too! ♥ Simon and Meg!

    Thanks for stopping by my TTT♥!

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    1. Eva - I really enjoyed Harkness's trilogy! I thought I'd heard it might be on television. That would be fun. I just hope they do a good job with it.

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  30. I still haven't read The Chosen One, though I'd it when it was first released. I need to read more books from my TBR pile! And that applies to All Souls trilogy and the Others series by Anne Bishop too.

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  31. The Chosen One sounds extremely interesting! I'll be looking forward to your review!

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  32. Wonderful couples! Love, love Eleanor & Park. Now I'm going to have to check out some of these others you've mentioned. I haven't read a good love story in a long time. Might be time to change that! :)

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    1. Iliana - I hope you will introduce yourself to some of the other couples. :-)

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  33. There are a few books on this list that I have been wanting to read for quite some time now! Looks like I will have to go check them out!

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    1. Kaitlyn - I enjoyed almost all of them (the exception being Winter's Tale). If you do read any of the other books, I hope you enjoy them!

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  34. I love Simon and Meg! I need to catch up on the series soon! And Celia and Marco! That book is just so pretty. I don't even know where to start with my literary couples, I love to many, haha. Great list, Wendy!

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    1. Cyn - I do too! Simon and Meg are such great characters. And I really liked Celia and Marco's story.

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  35. I fell hard for The Chosen One and always meant to read more by the author. One day...

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  36. Stacy - It was really good. I need to find time to work on my review. I had hoped to have it done for Monday, but it's not looking good.

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