Book Beginnings: Terrier

Thanks to Katy over at A Few More Pages for hosting Book Beginnings.

How to participate: Share the first line (or two) of the book you are currently reading on your blog or in the comments. Include the title and the author so we know what you're reading. Then, if you would like, let us know what your first impressions were based on that first line, and let us know if you liked or did not like the sentence. The link-up will be at A Few More Pages every Friday and will be open for the entire week.

This week I'm reading Terrier, the first book in Tamora Pierce's Beka Cooper trilogy. Here are the first few lines:

From the journal of Eleni Cooper, Resident, with her six-year-old son, George Cooper, of Spindle Lane, the Lower City, Corus, the Realm of Tortall.

March 18, 406 [H.E.: the Human Era]

In all those lessons for which I was made to memorize chants and prayers I never used, couldn't our temple priestesses have taught one-just one!-lesson on what to do with a boy who is too smart for his own good?

The first few lines are pretty good. They let you know who the characters are, where they live, give you a sense of time, introduce you to the book's structure (it's written entirely as journal excerpts) and let you know that there may be a bit of magic afoot. At the same time, there's the universal lament of an unruly child.

Unfortunately, the next bits are rather slow going. I'm about halfway through now, and the pace is finally starting to pick up. We're following along with Beka Cooper, a new trainee in Tortall's police force, or Guard. She's ready to protect the Cesspool in which she grew up from master criminals, serial killers, and whatever other Rats (baddies) lurk around the corner.

Beka, ready to kick some Rat butt.

Some of the terminology is a bit heavy handed. The trainees are constantly referred to as Puppies to the senior Guard Dogs. It's irritating. But it is very cool that Tamora Pierce has once again created a rich world full of diverse characters with a female lead. Gotta love that.

Book Beginnings

Book Beginnings via A Few More Pages

How to participate: Share the first line (or two) of the book you are currently reading on your blog or in the comments. Include the title and the author so we know what you're reading. Then, if you would like, let us know what your first impressions were based on that first line, and let us know if you liked or did not like the sentence. The link-up will be at A Few More Pages every Friday and will be open for the entire week.

Mr. Fox & Helen Oyeyemi

This week I'm reading Mr. Fox by Helen Oyeyemi. Here are the first few lines:

Mary Foxe came by the other day - the last person on earth I was expecting to see. I'd have tidied up if I known she was coming. I'd have combed my hair. I'd have shaved. At least I was wearing a suit; I strive for a sense of professionalism.

From the cover, you know that Mary is the narrator's muse, so I love how he just casually talks about her like she's a real person who simply dropped by for a visit. You get the sense that she's been absent for awhile, and she might be back to stir up some trouble. I'm almost halfway through and this point, and I'm really enjoying it. I can't wait to keep reading!

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