I currently am listening to The Sense of and Ending by Julian Barnes. It's a bit hard to share teasers as a result, but I couldn't resist trying.
Goodreads Summary:
Tony Webster and his clique first met Adrian Finn at school. Sex-hungry and book-hungry, they would navigate the girl-less sixth form together, trading in affectations, in-jokes, rumour and wit. Maybe Adrian was a little more serious than the others, certainly more intelligent, but they all swore to stay friends for life.
Now Tony is retired. He's had a career and a single marriage, a calm divorce. He's certainly never tried to hurt anybody. Memory, though, is imperfect. It can always throw up surprises, as a lawyer's letter is about to prove. .
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.
I remember, in no particular order:
- a shiny inner wrist;
- steam rising from a wet sink as a hot frying pan is laughingly tossed into it;
- gouts of sperm circling a plughole, before being sluiced down the full length of a tall house;
- a river rushing nonsensically upstream, its wave and wash lit by half a dozen chasing torchbeams;
- another river, broad and grey, the direction of its flow disguised by a stiff wind exciting the surface;
- bathwater long gone cold behind a locked door.
This last isn't something I actually saw, but what you end up remembering isn't always the same as what you have witnessed.
Every Tuesday, Ambrosia from The Purple Booker hosts Teaser Teaser at which participants grab their current read, open to a random page, and share two or more sentences from that page while avoiding any spoilers.
Excerpt from The Sense of an Ending:
“How often do we tell our own life story? How often do we adjust, embellish, make sly cuts? And the longer life goes on, the fewer are those around to challenge our account, to remind us that our life is not our life, merely the story we have told about our life. Told to others, but—mainly—to ourselves.”and another:
History isn’t the lies of the victors, as I once glibly assured Old Joe Hunt; I know that now. It’s more the memories of the survivors, most of whom are neither victorious or defeated.
What do you think? Would you keep reading?
After reading several urban fantasy/romance novels in a row, settling into this one took a minute, and I admit the opening didn't hook me right away, but now I am really curious where the author is taking me.
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 Top Ten Fandom Freebie. I struggled with this topic because I was not sure what direction to go. My ardent admiration extends in many directions. I nearly included my daughter--because I am her biggest fan (although my husband and mom might argue that point), but I decided that was too obvious. Although, anyone who knows me well will say all of my list is fairly obvious. Once I finished the list, I noticed a theme . . . Fantasy weighs heavily in my choice of fandoms.
1.
Harry Potter, et al. I reluctantly began reading this series about mid-way through, and now I wear a Ravenclaw House lanyard around my neck at work and wear a Ravenclaw House hoodie. I have been approached in public by strangers who tell me they too are in the Ravenclaw House. And once in a work meeting with the agency bigwigs, one of them, upon introducing himself pointed in my direction (I was wearing my lanyard) and excitedly told everyone he was a Ravenclaw too. Harry Potter fans are pretty cool, I think. It isn't just the books I love either. I'm a big fan of the movies too.
2.
Doctor Who. I came late to Doctor Who, although my husband tried to indoctrinate me early. It wasn't until the "newer" Doctor Who (starting with Christopher Eccleston). I actually was mad when David Tennant took on the role, and now he's my favorite. I am behind a couple seasons on the show (embarrassing to admit given how much I profess to love this show and anything related to Doctor Who). My cell phone case for a long time was of the Tardis (until it broke). It was always fun when passersby would recognize it, and say hello. I need to find a good sturdy case to replace the old one, I think.
3.
Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files. Or rather, Harry Dresden. I adore Harry, and have a bit of a crush on him. I love books involving magic or having to do with witches and wizards, and Harry is one of my absolute favorites.
4.
Supernatural. My husband and I started watching this show together and were hooked early on. I am not caught up to the latest season (and am probably way behind), but I am a big fan of the show so far.
5.
The Others series by Anne Bishop. I have so much love for this series. I love everything about it. And I really need to catch up.
6.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer. My husband and I used to watch the television show religiously. Three of our pets (two of which are no longer with us) were named after Buffy characters (admittedly, only two of those were on purpose). The idea for our daughter's name also came from Buffy the Vampire Slayer show. We didn't want to break tradition, after all.
7.
Peanut butter oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. Best. Cookies. Ever. Maybe not a real fandom, but I am thinking of starting one.
8.
Lord of the Rings. The movies. The books. I love them all. I just love the world and characters Tolkien created. Especially the elves. I want to be an elf.
9.
The Walking Dead television show. I haven't read the comics, but I really enjoy watching the show. Daryl and Carol are my heroes. So are Rick and Maggie. I really miss Glenn. Every time a major character dies, I rant about how I hate the show, and yet I keep watching.
10.
I am completely and utterly obsessed with reading and books. I always have a book with me in one form or another. I have books in just about every room in my house. I buy way too many books. I talk about books all the time. I blog about books. I get cranky if I am unable to fit in any reading time. Every time I see a book related tote or piece of art, I want it. I can't get enough of books.
Are you a fan of anything on my list? What are you a fan of? Please share!
1.
Harry Potter, et al. I reluctantly began reading this series about mid-way through, and now I wear a Ravenclaw House lanyard around my neck at work and wear a Ravenclaw House hoodie. I have been approached in public by strangers who tell me they too are in the Ravenclaw House. And once in a work meeting with the agency bigwigs, one of them, upon introducing himself pointed in my direction (I was wearing my lanyard) and excitedly told everyone he was a Ravenclaw too. Harry Potter fans are pretty cool, I think. It isn't just the books I love either. I'm a big fan of the movies too.
2.
Doctor Who. I came late to Doctor Who, although my husband tried to indoctrinate me early. It wasn't until the "newer" Doctor Who (starting with Christopher Eccleston). I actually was mad when David Tennant took on the role, and now he's my favorite. I am behind a couple seasons on the show (embarrassing to admit given how much I profess to love this show and anything related to Doctor Who). My cell phone case for a long time was of the Tardis (until it broke). It was always fun when passersby would recognize it, and say hello. I need to find a good sturdy case to replace the old one, I think.
3.
Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files. Or rather, Harry Dresden. I adore Harry, and have a bit of a crush on him. I love books involving magic or having to do with witches and wizards, and Harry is one of my absolute favorites.
4.
Supernatural. My husband and I started watching this show together and were hooked early on. I am not caught up to the latest season (and am probably way behind), but I am a big fan of the show so far.
5.
The Others series by Anne Bishop. I have so much love for this series. I love everything about it. And I really need to catch up.
6.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer. My husband and I used to watch the television show religiously. Three of our pets (two of which are no longer with us) were named after Buffy characters (admittedly, only two of those were on purpose). The idea for our daughter's name also came from Buffy the Vampire Slayer show. We didn't want to break tradition, after all.
7.
Peanut butter oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. Best. Cookies. Ever. Maybe not a real fandom, but I am thinking of starting one.
8.
Lord of the Rings. The movies. The books. I love them all. I just love the world and characters Tolkien created. Especially the elves. I want to be an elf.
9.
The Walking Dead television show. I haven't read the comics, but I really enjoy watching the show. Daryl and Carol are my heroes. So are Rick and Maggie. I really miss Glenn. Every time a major character dies, I rant about how I hate the show, and yet I keep watching.
10.
I am completely and utterly obsessed with reading and books. I always have a book with me in one form or another. I have books in just about every room in my house. I buy way too many books. I talk about books all the time. I blog about books. I get cranky if I am unable to fit in any reading time. Every time I see a book related tote or piece of art, I want it. I can't get enough of books.
© 2017, 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.
I struggled with this week's prompt as well. I went for Harry Potter as that's what I love so strongly! :-) I do love Buffy as well though!
ReplyDeleteChrissi - I loved your post. You can't go wrong with doing a Harry Potter theme post. :-)
DeleteI really do want to read A Sense of Ending, I like the opening and I do like books that focus on how we remember, or misremember...
ReplyDeleteCleo - I do too. It's interesting how memory is formed, and how reliant on feeling and attitude it can be.
DeleteI totally agree with Harry Potter, Supernatural, Buffy, TWD, and books of course! I’ve never had a PB Oatmeal chocolate chip cookie before but the baker in me accepts the challenge to make myself the best one ever! Also TWD I miss Glenn too :(
ReplyDeleteEve - I hope you do give PB Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies a try and end up loving them. :-)
DeleteI really miss Glenn. He was such a great character. I was glad to see Supernatural and Harry Potter on your list too. :-)
I also liked Anne Bishop's series! But I truly wanted more romance!
ReplyDeleteAlexandra - It's an awesome series and the world building is just amazing.
DeleteOoh great fandoms list! I need to watch more Dr. Who (I've only seen a few, but liked em) and I agree about LotR and The Walking Dead. I have the same favorite characters on TWD. :)
ReplyDeleteGreg - Thank you! Doctor Who is such fun. My husband and I have an understanding that if Doctor Who were to appear in his Tardis, we'd understand if one or the other of us decided to become his traveling companion. Although, preferably, he would take both of us. Oh, and my daughter. LOL Of course, he'd probably only take my daughter.
DeleteOh The Others is so fantastic. I'm waiting on the Dutch translation of the fifth book. <3
ReplyDeleteAnnemieke - I hope to finish the series soon. I just love it. I hate for it to end.
DeleteAnne Bishop is my favorite author!!! I'm read ALL her books, most more than once. I LOVE how she wrapped by The Others series (I won't say more since you're still working to catch up!).
ReplyDeleteLinda - I have read a number of Bishop's books, although not all. I especially love her Others series. Hopefully I will be catching up soon--although it kind of makes me sad that I will be too.
DeleteI'm not sure of the teaser. I'm not immediately drawn in.
ReplyDeleteMine this week is from a Tom Clancy novel: https://wp.me/p3Nz8P-1gC
PD - The opening wasn't an immediate draw for me either. It's an interesting story though and I'm glad I am listening to it.
DeleteI'm a big fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer as well. How often do you rewatch that show? I've found that it's held up pretty well over the years, although it's been a while since I rewatched anything from it.
ReplyDeleteHere is my TTT
Astilbe - I haven't re-watched it in a while, admittedly, but I have watched it multiple times over the last few years. I'm probably due for another re-watching. And then, of course, I have to re-watch Angel was well. :-) I agree, it has held up very well over the years.
DeleteI haven't read this, but it sounds really good! I really like the opening.
ReplyDeleteEustacia - It's interesting so far. I really like the writing (or is it the reading since I'm listening to the audio version?).
DeleteAwesome list! Buffy is truly amazing! I've been wanting to read The Others series for so long now! It's going to happen this year, I swear :) The Dresden Files are on my TBR as well!
ReplyDeleteLynn - Thank you! We are all big Buffy fans in our house. :-) I hope you get a chance to read the Other series as well as The Dresden Files! Thanks for visiting!
DeleteWow, your excerpts definitely made me think. I know that my memory is littered with the stories I tell myself and others...but are those life moments the way we remember them? The way we tell them? Fascinating.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing...and here's mine: “ONE PERFECT LIE”
Laurel-Rain - I sometimes wonder, Laurel-Rain. It's interesting how two siblings growing up in the same household can sometimes have completely different takes on a shared experience growing up.
DeleteOh wow -- LOL . I think I read this book and LOVED it but, for some strange reason, I have no recollection of that intro...weird
ReplyDeleteDiane - I think you might be the reason I decided to give this one a try--you and Sandy. :-)
DeleteI am intrigued by the summary, the intro didn't grab me, but I would keep reading.
ReplyDeleteNise' - Same here. It does get better. :-)
DeleteI love the extracts and have made a note to read this one as he is a remarkable writer with interesting things to say. Thank you for sharing, Wendy - and swinging by earlier:)
ReplyDeleteSarah - The author is very quotable, I think. I'm liking the book so far.
DeleteI haven't heard of the book, but those teasers sound so good.
ReplyDeleteI love The Walking Dead and I do the same thing you do - when a major character dies, I vow never to watch again and then I end up sticking with it. I was really ready to stop after Glen died, but I'm still here :) I haven't read the comics either.
Yvonne - I was about ready to quit the show after Glenn died too. It wasn't fair that they took him from us.
DeleteI read this book a couple of years ago, and I remember that I enjoyed it. I hope you are as well!
ReplyDeleteMonica - I am glad to hear you enjoyed it! I am too so far.
DeleteOh I can get behind those cookies too! Great lists and enjoyed the teasers - especially the one from The Sense of an Ending!
ReplyDeleteIliana - Now I'm craving some. :-)
DeleteI loved The Sense of an Ending. Your featuring it today reminds me that I want o read it again.
ReplyDeleteMargot - I'm glad to hear you liked it! I am enjoying it so far.
DeleteThose cookies look fabulous! My son loves chocolate chip oatmeal raisin cookies.
ReplyDeleteKathy - The raisin ones are good too, although I am not always in the mood for raisins like I am for peanut butter.
DeleteSo school just got cancelled tomorrow because of weather threats so now I'm trying to figure out if we have the ingredients for peanut butter oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. That sounds like the cookie that has been missing from my life!! That'll give the Tornado and me something to do tomorrow. I think the closest thing I love that could be considered a fandom is Doctor Who and I love it! I used to watch it with my dad when I was a little girl and Tom Baker was the doctor!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - Oh wow. That's crazy about school being cancelled because of weather threats--in April! If you do try the cookies, I hope you like them! That is so neat that you grew up watching Doctor Who with your dad. Mouse will have those kind of memories too. :-) Hopefully they will be pleasant ones. LOL
DeleteThanks for visiting!
I love your top 10 list! Can I join your cookie fandom? The Walking Dead is one of my favorites. I like to tell my husband that I want to be Carol when I grow up :) Harry Dresden is amazing. Love The Others. Of course, I am also obsessed by books.
ReplyDeleteCarole - Thank you! You are more than welcome to join my cookie fandom. :-) The more the merrier, I say! Carol is one of my favorite characters too. You and I have a lot in common. :-) Thanks for stopping by, Carole!
DeleteWendy, you BET I'm a fan of stuff---MAJOR Harry Potter fan :D :D :D I've gained a lot of friends based on that commonality. I got irritated more by the movies, though, after "Goblet" 'cause they REALLY started to pull away too much from the books. That has never sat well with me. :-\
ReplyDeleteAnd ALL the LOTR stuff. Amazingly talented people from the Tolkien right on through.
I'm also a fan of those cookies just from the picture! I want some! :D
Donna Marie - Harry Potter does seem to bring people together. :-) I can't wait to read the books with my daughter. She's seen the movies and really likes them. Her favorite is Chamber of Secrets.
DeleteI did! I went for I CAPTURE THE CASTLE and I can see why it's the agent's favorite book. The writing style is amazing, only it'll take me forever to get through it *sigh* I can tell I'm going to get caught up in it, though, and that's always what I hope for in a book :)
DeleteAnd I forgot to mention---right now my bookmark is oscillating between three books because I can't decide. All commendations: two novels (ASHES LIKE SNOW and I CAPTURE THE CASTLE), 1 short MG fiction (SOME WRITER!), no time. We'll see once I open the first pages :)
ReplyDeleteDonna Marie - I get a little frustrated when I can't decide between books--it's wasting precious reading time. LOL I hope you were able to settle on something!
DeleteHarry Potter will always remain as one of my favourite book/movies series. I need to read The Others series too as I've heard many good things about it. And those cookies...Yum!
ReplyDeleteMelody - J.K. Rowling has such talent. I hope you do give the Others series a try, Melody!
DeleteI'm with you on the Others series, HP, and LotR, but I don't feel like I've read enough of the Dresden Files to be part of the fandom yet (I think I'm four books in so far). I'm also pretty rabid about anything written by Ilona Andrews. Also, I love dogs and cats. I guess you could say I'm part of the pet fandom. ;)
ReplyDelete~Litha Nelle
Litha Nelle - I hope you do like The Dresden Files if you decide to give them a try. I really like Ilona Andrews too--although I still have quite a few of their books to read.
DeleteCats and dogs should have been on my list. I'm a big fan of theirs too! LOL
Yay for Supernatural! I have been meaning to watch Buffy for so long, will get to it soon. And you cannot go wrong with the cookies!
ReplyDeleteHere's my TTT
Priyanka - You have to watch Buffy! It's worth it. :-) I really enjoy Supernatural. I am in the process of re-watching the first season, and enjoying it.
DeleteJust saw the movie. It was okay. Don't think I need to read the book.
ReplyDeleteBook Sage - I didn't even know there was a movie. Thank you for the head's up. I'll have to check it out when I finish the book. I tend to prefer to read the book before I see a movie, although I bend my own rule sometimes.
DeleteLove Harry Potter! And of course books, but that's kind of a given!
ReplyDeleteMy TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2017/04/04/top-ten-tuesday-101/
Jo - The Harry Potter world is so easy to get caught up in. :-)
DeleteI just got the new Anne Bishop from the library yesterday! I have a couple of books in progress at the moment, but I can feel the pull of Etched in Bone telling me to hurry up!
ReplyDeleteJenclair - Yay! I hope you enjoy it. I still have Marked in Flesh to read. I'm so behind. :-(
DeleteI remember reading Barnes' The Sense of an Ending a few years ago and really enjoying it. But I wonder a little how they managed to make a movie of it because it's such an introspective, quiet read...and so much of it is set in the past; still, I might have to check to movie out just to see how they did. :)
ReplyDeleteLark - I am glad to hear you enjoyed The Sense of an Ending. I wasn't able to listen to it this week, but hopefully can dive back in next week. It'll be interesting to see how the movie turned out, won't it?
DeleteYay another fellow Ravenclaw! I've noticed that fandoms are a way to connect with other people you don't know so it's cool how a Ravenclaw lanyard or Tardis cell phone case can make you approachable to other fans.
ReplyDeleteI love the Lord of the Rings and am part of that fandom too. Love the peanut butter chocolate chip cookie fandom :) I will have to check out the Dresden Files sometime. I had a friend who loved the books and recommended them to me but I never got around to reading them.
Christina - Yes! Fandoms really do seem to connect people who might not have otherwise reached out. I really like the Dresden Files books (obviously). I enjoyed the television show too, although it wasn't quite the same. My husband tried the series and didn't like it (although he liked the TV show). But I always tease him that he is way too picky when it comes to books. :-)
DeleteThe Dresden Files are just awesome! :)
ReplyDeleteLauren @ Always Me
Lauren - They are! I love the series.
DeleteLOL, I would join the Peanut butter oatmeal chocolate chip cookies fandom. Love most things peanut butter related ;-)
ReplyDeletevvb - Me too! Peanut butter is one of my favorite foods. :-)
Delete