Book Beginnings 8.19.11

Thank you to Katy over at A Few More Pages for hosting. The idea is to share the first line or two of the book you are currently reading, with the title and author, and your impressions on the first lines.

I've been reading Sarah Orne Jewett's The Country of the Pointed Firs for about a week now. I know that it's only 200 pages, but I've stretched it out as I've really been enjoying it. Of course, I've read some other books in the meantime. I never used to read more than one book at once, but the past few years I've noticed that I do this more and more. Anyway, on to the the first lines!

There was something about the coast town of Dunnet which made it seems more attractive than other maritime villages of eastern Maine. Perhaps it was the simple fact of acquaintance with that neighborhood which made it so attaching, and gave such interest to the rocky shore and dark woods, and the few houses which seemed to be securely wedged and tree-nailed in among the ledges by the Landing.

One of the reasons I chose this book was its Maine setting. I visited Maine for the first time last summer, and absolutely loved it. This opening is a little slow, but it sets me firmly in a little Maine village, smelling the salty ocean, looking inland towards the mountains and forests. Plus, I love the idea of getting "acquainted" with a town, like you'd get to know a person.

This is what Maine looked like when I was there. A bit more populated than Orne's little village of Dunnet, but I imagine still just as charming.

Photo Credit: VisitMaine.com