Monday, March 14, 2016

Where Is Your Bookmark? (03/15/2016)

My plan this weekend was to get in more reading, but it did not work out too well. I currently am in the middle of Kemper Donovan's The Decent Proposal, which is about two strangers brought together by a deal that seems too good to be true. Each of them will receive half a million dollars each if they meet and talk for two hours every week for a year. The where doesn't matter. A public place is fine. Just as long as the two actually talk with each other.




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.

Before gray hair, or crow's-feet, or achy backs and fickle knees, there is one sign of aging that makes appearance early enough to bewilder its young(ish) victims instead of alarming them, as it should. And so one morning a few weeks after his twenty-ninth birthday, Richard Baumbach awoke in a state of bewilderment: 
Since when had the hangovers gotten this bad?

Every Tuesday, Jenn from Books And A Beat hosts Teaser Tuesdays at which time participants grab their current read, open to a random page, and share two (2) "teaser" sentences from that page while avoiding any spoilers.



Teaser from page 35 of The Decent Proposal:
"So do we have a deal?"
She extended her hand across the table.

"We do." 
They parted a few minutes later. Richard was eager to leave before she changed her mind, and Elizabeth figured there would be more than enough time in the year to come to run out of things to say. 

What do you think? Would you keep reading?  

Richard Baumbach doesn't make the most favorable first impression--at least not at first. Not to me anyway. Still, knowing what the book is about, I was eager to continue. The teaser isn't too far into the novel, but it gives you an idea of where the characters' minds are going into the deal. At least somewhat.

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 Top Ten Books On My Spring TBR. It is important to keep mind this list is more of a "books I own that I would really like to read this spring" more than a list of books I will for sure read. I don't always do well with keeping to reading lists. The covers are linked to GoodReads if you want to know more about the books.

1.

Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman ~ I still carry Ove in my heart (from A Man Called Ove), and Elsa as well (from My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry). I am looking forward to Backman's third book, in which he introduces readers to 63-year-old Britt-Marie who walks out of her old life and into a new one and becomes the reluctant soccer coach (a sport she hates) to a team of children. Described by the publisher as being funny and heartwarming, I have no doubt it's true.

2. 

Marked in Flesh by Anne Bishop ~ This will absolutely for sure be the first book I read in April once the TBR Triple Dog Dare ends. It has been so hard to put this one off . . . It is the fourth book in the Others series, which I fell in love with last year.

3.

No One Knows by J.T. Ellison ~ Aubrey's missing husband is declared dead after five years. Filled with unanswered questions, secrets, a familiar person now haunting her . . . I am intrigued!

4.

Crime and Poetry by Amanda Flower ~ The first in a new cozy mystery series, featuring a magical bookshop. You did not think I would pass this one up, did you?

5.

When the Moon is Low by Nadia Hashimi ~ I will actually be reading this for an upcoming tour, although I have had a copy of the book for quite some time now. This promises to be a heart-wrenching story, as well as a tense one, about a schoolteacher whose life is uprooted by the Taliban, her husband is murdered, and she and her children flee the country, a move that proves to be its own nightmare. Just the description pulls at my heartstrings. I can't wait to finally read it.

6.

Mother Knows Best by Karen MacInerney ~ Who can resist a book with a pig in a car seat on the cover? The protagonist is a private investigator, wife and mother--roles that don't always play nice together. This novel sounds like a comical mystery--perfect for when I need a laugh. Maybe for after I read When the Moon is Low.

7.

All Stories Are Love Stories by Elizabeth Percer ~ As described on Goodreads, this book is about "a group of survivors thrown together in the aftermath of two major earthquakes that strike San Francisco within an hour of each other." The San Francisco setting is what initially caught my attention with this book, but it sounds really interesting too.

8.

Sins of the Angels by Linda Poetevin ~ This is the first in a series I have been wanting to read for quite some time now. It features a homicide detective who is teamed up with a fallen angel in the search for a serial killer. I have not read too many urban fantasy/crime fiction novels that feature angels, but this series sounds like a good one.


9.

The Girl With a Clock For a Heart by Peter Swanson ~ I had forgotten I had a copy of this book on my e-reader. Shame on me! Every time someone mentions it I find myself wanting to read it. This novel is about a man whose college girlfriend wasn't exactly who she said she was when they were dating--and now, twenty years later, she's back in his life, asking for his help.

10.

June by Miranda Beverly-Whittemere ~ A sixty year old mistake comes back to haunt a family when an unexpected inheritance uncovers murder, betrayal, and blackmail among other secrets long buried. I want to know more!


Have you read any of these books? If so, what did you think? What books do you plan to read this spring?


 © 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 confess I haven't heard of any of the books on your TBR pile. I hope you really enjoy reading them. My TTT

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anne - Some of these are older books (older being relative), while others are newer. I am really eager to read them all.

      Delete
  2. Well that premise definitely sounds interesting enough! I'm also interested in All Stories are Love Stories. Looks charming.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jillian - I thought so too! I'm enjoying it so far. :-) All the Stories Are Love Stories really appeals to me as well. I hope to read that one very soon.

      Delete
  3. I like your first paragraph. I can't decide if this is a joke or a serious illness. I guess I'll need to keep reading

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love the opening to your book this week - I vaguely remember that feeling of bewilderment ;-) Also very impressed with your spring TBR - I've recently read No One Knows and I also plan on reading The Girl With a Clock for a Heart after loving The Kind Worth Killing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cleo - Haha! I imagine many people do. :-) While I have never had a hangover, I do remember aspects of adulthood that made me feel old.

      I haven't yet read The Kind Worth Killing. That's another one on my TBR shelf to read.

      Delete
  5. I enjoyed your teaser. It would make me read more. I haven't heard of any of these books but I would be interested in checking out more about the others series you spoke of. Happy Tuesday.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Doodle Bug - I really like the author's writing style myself. It's good so far. :-) I hope you have a Happy Tuesday too!

      Delete
  6. Great teaser, sounds like a great deal! Haven't read any of you top 10 TBR books. WHEN THE MOON IS LOW caught my attention. Really like your cat pictures on your blog!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen and Gerard - Doesn't it? Especially with no other strings attached! I'm dying to know who is behind it though.

      When the Moon Is Low sounds like it will be good. It's gotten good reviews from what I've heard.

      And thanks! Those are my two. :-)

      Delete
  7. Interesting teaser! And The Girl With A Clock For A Heart sounds really interesting!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Eustacia - Thanks! I am looking forward to finally diving into that one as well. I've had it on my TBR shelf for awhile now.

      Delete
  8. Love your teaser and TBR this week. Several I think I might be checking out :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen - I do like the author's writing style and so far it's good. :-)

      Delete
  9. I like the premise of your teaser book - maybe not so much the first paragraph. I would wonder where the relationship goes after 2 hours of conversation a week. As to your '10 to read', several of them are on my list or even on my Kindle as well. THE GIRL WITH A CLOCK FOR A HEART was added to my list after I liked THE KIND WORTH KILLING so much. And like you say, who can resist a pig in a car seat or a magical bookshop? Karen MacInerney writes another series that I really like that is set in Maine at a B&B. Plus she is a local author for me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kay - I'm wondering too! I want to know who is behind the deal--and why those two. So many questions!

      I still haven't read The Kind Worth Killing, but I know it is well liked. I may have a copy of that one too. I am glad to hear you are familiar with Karen MacInerney! I look forward to giving her a try.

      Delete
  10. The Decent Proposal sounds good, and I like that teaser. Interesting premise! And I think No One Knows and Crime and Poetry both look good- I love the look of that bookstore on the cover of Crime and Poetry. Cozies have the best covers sometimes!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Greg - It was good! I enjoyed it quite a bit. I am looking forward to reading both No One Knows and Crime and Poetry. I agree--cozies often do have the best covers. :-)

      Delete
  11. Oooh, I love your list- The Girl With A Clock For A Heart is definitely my type of book!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kate - I'm really looking forward to reading The Girl With the Clock Heart. I hope it's good!

      Delete
  12. Sounds like an interesting premise for a novel and I like the intro. I'd keep reading... hope you enjoy it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoAnn - I enjoyed it quite a bit. I was sad to see it end.

      Delete
  13. I haven't heard of most of these but No One Knows I can't wait to read, love JT Ellison.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Marce - I haven't yet read anything by Ellison. This will be my first by the author. I'm looking forward to No One Knows.

      Delete
  14. Wow, what a selection. I'm not much on cozies, but the idea of a magical bookshop is hard to resist. Hope you enjoy Marked in Flesh. I'm now a complete convert to this series, even though I began with Marked in Flesh and had to back-track and read all the previous books!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jenclair - I'm glad you enjoyed Marked in Flesh. :-) I'm very eager to read it.

      Delete
  15. This looks like a great list of books! Thank you.

    http://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2016/03/what-i-hope-to-read-this-spring.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Deb Nance - I can't wait to read all of them. Thanks for visiting!

      Delete
  16. I haven't read any of these, but the Girl with a Clock for a Heart sounds interesting!

    My TTT.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Unusual premise for The Decent Proposal. The intro would keep me reading. I'm curious!
    My Tuesday post features a contemporary romance: GRIFF MONTGOMERY, QUARTERBACK.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sandra - It is unique. I suspected I would enjoy it, but it held quite a few surprises for me--always a plus.

      Delete
  18. I like the sound of The Decent Proposal! Britt-Marie Was Here is on my TBR list, too! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sarah - I can't wait to read Backman's latest. I really enjoy his books. The Decent Proposal was good. I was sad to see it end.

      Delete
  19. Great books you have lined up to read for this spring! I'm only familiar with When the Moon is Low (though I haven't read it) but the others sound fantastic =D Happy reading!

    My TTT

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lianne - I hope I actually do get to them this spring. :-)

      Delete
  20. Your excerpts and the blurb from The Decent Proposal have piqued my curiosity. I am now wondering how it will all play out....probably not the way the characters expected, though. Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Laurel-Rain - It's worth reading! While some of it was predictable, other parts came as a complete surprise.

      Delete
  21. I find the premise of your current read irresistible--and want to know more. Great spring list. I read The Girl With a Clock for a Heart and loved its twisty-ness.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Catherine - I am glad to hear you enjoyed The Girl With the Clock Heart. I can't wait to finally read it!

      Delete
  22. The premise of The Decent Proposal sounds really interesting. I'd keep reading!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Monica - I thought so too. It turned out to be a good one!

      Delete
  23. Decent Proposal sounds very fascinating!! I cannot wait to read your thoughts on it - I may pick it too. I had grand plans to read a lot during last weekend but nop, didn't happen at all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Athira - I always hope to read more on my weekends, but it doesn't happen very often. Maybe this weekend. :-)

      Delete
  24. It's true, although I hadn't thought of it as a sign of aging. Here's Mine

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Paulita - He is pretty young even at 29, so he might not know any better. ;-)

      Delete
  25. Great list! I really need to start reading Written in Red, because I know I'll love it! Happy reading!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lynn - I hope you like Written in Red if you read it. It's so awesome.

      Delete
  26. Well June is going on my TBR. I hadn't heard of that before but it sounds like my kind of book! Britt Marie was Here looks really good. Crime and Poetry also looks like my kind of book. I hope you get to all of these because I'm on the fence about a couple - especially the Peter Swanson - and I want to see what you think!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Katherine - June sounds really good, doesn't it? I'm eager to read it. I would like to get to them all too now--they all sound so good!

      Delete
  27. Interesting teaser! I hope you manage to make your way through all those TBRs too!

    My teaser is from Envy of Angels by Matt Wallace

    ReplyDelete
  28. I like the mix of genres especially No One Knows.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mystica - I try to keep it varied so I don't get bored or burnt out. :-) No One Knows sounds good, doesn't it?

      Delete
  29. I wish someone would offer me a deal like that! I would keep reading for sure.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Great list! I'm really interested in picking up the Others series. Happy reading!

    Check out my TTT.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lauren - I can't say enough about the Others series. I highly recommend it.

      Delete
  31. The premise of your teaser sounds interesting! I'd definitely like to know more.

    Wow, that's a nice list and many of which I'd love to read! I hope you enjoy them all and I'll be looking forward to hearing your thoughts on them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Melody - It's a book worth checking out. :-)

      I hope I get to most, if not all of the books on the list this spring. We'll see.

      Delete
  32. Your spring TBR all looks really good. I look forward to your reviews!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kelly - I'm excited about all of the books on the list. :-)

      Delete
  33. I like the premise of the book too. No One Knows is on many reading lists.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nise' - Hopefully No One Knows lives up to everyone's expectations. :-)

      Delete
  34. Looks like you've got a lot of good ones for your Spring TBR (Marked in Flesh and When the Moon is Low especially). I think the concept of The Decent Proposal would keep me reading for most of the book, or at least until I had the how and whys figured out. Some books just pull you in with their plots.
    ~Litha Nelle

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Litha Nelle - I ended up really liked The Decent Proposal. While some of it is predictable, some of it isn't at all.

      Delete
  35. The Decent Proposal is new to me, but it sounds really interesting, will definitely have to check that one out!
    Great TBR list, The Others series is on my TBR. I really enjoyed the first one, but haven't had the time to continue yet.

    ReplyDelete
  36. I've got Britt-Marie and When The Moon Is Low are both on my spring reading list, too. The Decent Proposal sounds like a really interesting premise.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lisa - I really liked The Decent Proposal. Hopefully we will both enjoy Britt-Marie and When the Moon Is Low!

      Delete

Thank you for taking the time to visit Musings of a Bookish Kitty. Don't be shy! I would love to hear from you. Due to a recent increase in spam, I will be moderating all comments for the foreseeable future. Please be patient with me as it may take a few hours before I am able to approve your comment.