Monday, April 11, 2016

Where Is Your Bookmark? (04/12/2016)

After finishing Ellen Feldman's Terrible Virtue, I craved more historical fiction, this time settling into a novel about a horticulturist who leaves London for an estate in the country, volunteering to serve in the Women's Land Army. Gwen is to organize a group of women in cultivating and growing food for the war effort. Nearby is a house full of Canadian soldiers awaiting orders for the war. The Lost Garden by Helen Humphreys is the story of a hidden garden and the woman who brings it back to life, meanwhile finding friendship and love, as well as loss.


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.
What can I say about love? You might see me sitting in this taxi, bound for Paddington Station--a thirty-five-year-old woman with plain features--and you would think that I could not know anything of love. But I am leaving London because of love.

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 62 of The Lost Garden:
"Have you been out climbing trees, Gwen?" Jane whispers to me. She reaches up and pulls bits of yew from my hair, laying them carefully beside my place as a sort of table decoration.
and at page 71:
There's a dark blur, moving from the shadows of this building, running across the grass towards the stables. From this angle and height I can't tell who it is. The moon disappears behind a cloud and I momentarily lose the figure in the shadows of the opposite buildings. When the moon returns, the figure has vanished.
What do you think? Would you keep reading?  

Reading the opening paragraph, I cannot help but wonder if it is love Gwen is fleeing or is it what she is running to. Of course, having read more of the novel, I know the answer to that. But still, it was my first thought upon starting the novel. The two teasers give off a bit of mystery, especially the second one. Who is that person she sees?

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


© 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.

54 comments:

  1. Yes - I'd be delighted to keep reading, I particularly liked the opening with its air of mystery. I like this time period too so an all round winner!

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    1. Cleo - I like the opening quite a bit too. So far it is an enjoyable read!

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  2. I love the summary and the opening of The Lost Garden. I'm in the mood for a story like that.

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    1. Margot - Thank you. I'm not always the best at writing brief blurbs, admittedly, but this one seemed to turn out okay. I hope you enjoy this one if you do read it!

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  3. Oh, she has a story. Would like to know more about what happened in London.

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  4. Well that is definitely right up my alley - first person, present tense viewpoint and the historical element... Yep. I'd definitely keep reading... My TT this week is about an adventurous sneak thief... https://sjhigbee.wordpress.com/2016/04/12/teaser-tuesday-12th-april-2016/

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    1. Sarah - I am partial to this time period and so am really enjoying this one. :-)

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  5. I like the beginning, the premise, and the teasers. I'll have to add this to my list.

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    1. Beth - It does sound good, doesn't it? I hope you do give it a try.

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  6. I think I would enjoy both of these books. I would keep reading both, and I do recommend the book from my teaser this week, which is from Vermilion by Molly Tanzer. It's in the mystery/syfy genres, which are my favorites! http://abookaddictsview.blogspot.com/2016/04/teaser-tuesday_12.html

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    1. It's a good one, I think. I hope you will give it a try! :-)

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  7. Beautiful cover. I have a thing about lost or secret gardens (guess where that came from), so yes, I would keep reading. :)

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    1. Jenclair - I like the cover too. :-) I'm fascinated by the hidden garden. I am looking forward to reading more.

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  8. I'd definitely keep reading. Would like to right now!

    My TT from Girl Of Mine

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  9. That's a beautiful cover! And the premise sounds good too. Yes, I'd love to read it. :-)

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    1. Melody - I think so too! It's a relatively quiet book and I'm enjoying it.

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  10. I am adding it to my lists too. I do like the cover, I would have pulled it from a shelf to check out the blurb. Thanks for saving me that time.

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    1. Judy - I hope you will enjoy this one if you read it!

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  11. I loved the story and poetic style of this novel. Glad you're having a similar experience.

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    1. Catherine - It was a good choice for the Postal Book Club. I don't think I would have known about it otherwise!

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  12. I don't read too many historical fictions but this one has a lovely cover, an intriguing beginning, and a just a good over-all vibe :) I would keep reading and hope you do too!

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    1. Rita - I am enjoying it so far. It does have a good over-all vibe to it, I think. :-)

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  13. I love that cover! It's so elegant and refined-looking. And the plot sounds great, as well! Definitely keep reading! I'm adding this one to my Goodreads TBR!! Thanks for sharing! Also, thanks for visiting and commenting on my Tuesday Intros post!! :)

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    1. Maria - I agree! It's a lovely cover. I hope you enjoy this one if you do decide to read it!

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  14. The excerpts draw me in...and definitely make me crave more. Thanks for sharing....and for visiting my blog.

    I hope to read Terrible Virtue next week.

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  15. I'd read at least a bit more and then decide whether to continue or not.

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    1. Vicki - I'm quite enjoying it so far. It's a relatively quick read, although not intense.

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  16. Yes, I would keep reading (I'm fond of horticulture and the English countryside). I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on it.

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    1. A.M.B. - Then you definitely should give this one a try. :-)

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  17. I love those lines so I would love to hear more about it. I haven't heard of this book so I will be waiting to read your review.

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    1. Athira - This was a new to me book as well. It's a nice change of pace from my more fast paced novels. It's good so far.

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  18. I have been wanting to read more historical fiction and I really like the sound of the teasers! I hope you are enjoying it. :)

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    1. I am enjoying it--it's lovely writing, and I love the setting.

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  19. I loved the intro Wendy, so I'd definitely read more.

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  20. I hadn't heard of this author until recently but now I can't wait to read her. I love the cover and the sound of the teasers.

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    1. Katherine - I hadn't heard of her before either. I'm really enjoying The Lost Garden!

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  21. Hi Wendy,

    I too, haven't come across this author before and I'm afraid that I did have to cheat just a little and check out both book and author more closely!

    I was quite surprised by the diversity of Helen's storylines, however 'The Lost Garden' was the only one which really appealed to me and is a book I would definitely want on my TBR list.

    I'm also not generally a cover junkie, but I am genuinely drawn to the beautiful cover art. With the title and cover together, 'The Lost Garden' could almost be mistaken for a gardening book :)

    Thanks for sharing and continue to enjoy :)

    Yvonne

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    1. Yvonne - I haven't explored Humphreys' other work, but I should do that. I know she writes poetry--it shows in her writing style. I really like the cover too. It's simple and yet detailed. It's an interesting choice given the book, but it's fitting, I think.

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  22. I'd keep reading. You're right that the second teaser is particularly enticing. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Laura - I'm enjoying the writing. I feel like I'm right there in the story.

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  23. Ohh...I like the sound of this one. That opening really does grab my attention. I am looking forward to your review of this book.

    Carole @ Carole's Random Life

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    1. Carole - I am about 75 pages from the end, and so far I am enjoying it. :-)

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  24. Ohh great teaser and very intriguing I also want too know who Gwen saw in the shadows as well! Thank you for stopping by my blog. :D

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    1. Katiria - I thought The Lost Garden was a lovely novel. I hope you get a chance to read this one.

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  25. This book sounds like a really amazing read. The synopsis reminds me of The Secret Garden with the elements of a hidden garden. Enjoy! <3

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    1. I would love to have seen the hidden garden in this novel.

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  26. That is a lovely cover and with the description and teasers you posted, it definitely grabbed my attention!

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    1. Iliana - I enjoyed this novel quite a bit. I am glad I got the chance to read it.

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  27. The Lost Garden sounds very interesting!

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