Welcome to some bookish fun today as we share Book Beginnings, hosted by Rose City Reader; and as we showcase The Friday 56 with Freda’s Voice.
To join in, just grab a book and share the opening lines…along with any thoughts you wish to give us; then turn to page 56 and excerpt anything on the page.
Then give us the title of the book, so others can add it to their lists!
If you have been wanting to participate, but haven’t yet tried, now is the time!
What better way to spend a Friday?
How can it be Friday already? I’m happy about it, though, and eager to share excerpts from one of my recent ARCs: Did You Ever Have a Family, by Bill Clegg.
Beginning: (Silas)
He wakes to the sound of sirens. Many, loud, and very near. Then horns: short, angry grunts like the buzzers signaling time-out in the basketball games he watches but does not play in at school. His cell phone says 6:11 a.m. but the house downstairs is awake and loud and in his mother’s rough morning voice, scratching above his father’s and sisters’, he hears something is wrong.
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56: I saw him there with June a few times, working out. I think it was the first time I heard him laughing or saw him smiling since high school.
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Blurb: The stunning debut novel from bestselling author Bill Clegg is a magnificently powerful story about a circle of people who find solace in the least likely of places as they cope with a horrific tragedy.
On the eve of her daughter’s wedding, June Reid’s life is completely devastated when a shocking disaster takes the lives of her daughter, her daughter’s fiancé, her ex-husband, and her boyfriend, Luke—her entire family, all gone in a moment. And June is the only survivor.
Alone and directionless, June drives across the country, away from her small Connecticut town. In her wake, a community emerges, weaving a beautiful and surprising web of connections through shared heartbreak.
From the couple running a motel on the Pacific Ocean where June eventually settles into a quiet half-life, to the wedding’s caterer whose bill has been forgotten, to Luke’s mother, the shattered outcast of the town—everyone touched by the tragedy is changed as truths about their near and far histories finally come to light.
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I haven’t started reading this one yet, but now I’m curious. What do you think?
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SNOW SPARKS 
I must admit I’m curious too. Those snippets sound promising. 🙂
Check out my Friday 56 With Book Beginnings.
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I hadn’t heard of this one until someone put it on my radar. I hope I love it. Thanks for stopping by, Lauren.
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Sounds like a super-heavy book. Can you imagine the tragedy of losing everyone in the blink of the eye? Ugh. My Friday Quotes
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It gives me a chill, Anne….and I hope I can manage the story without too much angst. Thanks for stopping by.
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I’m curious too!
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Thanks, Cleopatra…it does intrigue me.
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Yes, I’d try it, even though it does sound very sad. And I wonder who the person (Silas?) is at the beginning – what is his connection?
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Thanks, Kay, and I wonder about him, too. I guess I will find out!
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I’m planning to read this one. Heard the author read from the book and talk about writing it at a recent publisher event.
My Friday post: http://www.bookclublibrarian.com/2015/04/friday-focus-friday-56-book-beginnings.html
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Thanks, Catherine, and that sounds great! Hope to enjoy it…and glad you could stop by.
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Thanks so much for sharing this lovely book. I’d love to read it! The sample of writing has me hooked and I’m sure this will be emotional and triumphant.
My 56 – http://fuonlyknew.com/2015/04/03/the-friday-56-56-bubba-done-it/
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Definitely! Thanks for stopping by, Laura, and enjoy your Friday.
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I think it sounds really good! Let me know if it’s something you would end up recommending. It’s passages like this that give me moments of wanting to write good fiction. happy friday!
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I think so, too, Lenna-Jennie….thanks for stopping by, and I will definitely let you know.
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Sounds like an intense read. I’m curious to see your thoughts on the book. I do love the excerpts – the beginning especially. I have a feeling I’d need a very full box of tissues for this one! Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks, Katherine, and tissues will be handy! Glad you could visit today, and enjoy your weekend.
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That sounds like a really good and very emotional read. I might have to add it to my TBR 🙂
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Thanks, Alicia…glad you enjoyed it!
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I’m curious too. I’ll be eager to hear what you think. Happy reading!
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Thanks, Kathy, and enjoy your reading!
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Gosh, there’s so much loss in this narrative. I love the idea of being surrounded by community though, it’s the only way we are able to make it through difficult times; great feature! Have a wonderful weekend Laurel 🙂
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Thanks, Claudia, and community that surrounds us does make all the difference.
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Sounds interesting. I might check this book out.
Check out my Friday 56!
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Thanks, Christina…I’m glad you liked it.
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Sometimes I like really heavy really sad books.
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Oh, yes, me too, Patty…thanks for stopping by.
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A story bred out of heartache, how lovely and sad! Hope you have a lovely weekend.
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Thanks, Alicia…I hope you have a great weekend, too.
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This sounds like an interesting read.
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Thanks, Yvonne…enjoy yours, too!
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That beginning has me curious. I hope you’re enjoying it.
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I expect to dig into it next week…looking forward to it, Sharon. Thanks for visiting.
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Family dynamics can be tough. Sounds like a powerful read.
Happy Easter weekend!
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I think it will be, Freda….thanks for stopping by.
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I LOVE that beginning. Such great description…I can see it all.
THANKS for sharing. I hope you and your family are having a wonderful weekend.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My Book Beginnings
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Thanks, Elizabeth, glad you could stop by. Enjoy your weekend, too!
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