It’s time to play “guess that book” and also watch our TBRs weep.
Book Beginnings is hosted by Rose City Reader and is all about the first line of a current/upcoming read. Friday 56 is a meme hosted by Freda’s Voice, where you turn to page 56 (or 56%) in what you’re reading a find a snippet that jumps out at you.
First Lines
That’s what Elsa’s granny says, at least.
56% Snippet
“There would be more space to hide you in here if Granny wasn’t dead,” says Elsa apologetically, because then the wardrobe wouldn’t have stopped growing. “Then again, if Granny hadn’t died, you wouldn’t need to hide in the first place.”
Book Reveal
Elsa is seven years old and different. Her grandmother is seventy-seven years old and crazy, standing-on-the-balcony-firing-paintball-guns-at-men-who-want-to-talk-about-Jesus-crazy. She is also Elsa’s best, and only, friend. At night Elsa takes refuge in her grandmother’s stories, in the Land of Almost-Awake and the Kingdom of Miamas where everybody is different and nobody needs to be normal.
When Elsa’s grandmother dies and leaves behind a series of letters apologizing to people she has wronged, Elsa’s greatest adventure begins. Her grandmother’s letters lead her to an apartment building full of drunks, monsters, attack dogs, and totally ordinary old crones, but also to the truth about fairytales and kingdoms and a grandmother like no other.
Reasons to Read
✿ Super relatable bookish protagonist.
✿ Who just happens to be the kid we all wish we’d been.
✿ Cast of fun, quirky characters to fall in love with.
✿ Fun “fairy tale” aspect overlaid onto the real world.
✿ Written by one of my favorite authors (which, let’s be honest, is enough of a reason).
✿ Has the magical ability to make you laugh and cry.
✿ Sometimes at the same time.
This is a new weekly meme hosted by E. @ Local Bee Hunter’s Nook meant to take place on Mondays, but since Fridays tend to be my TBR-focused post, I’ve decided to combine them here. Monday’s prompt is: contemporary.
I absolutely loved A Man Called Ove, so I am forever looking for books similar to that (that fun sort of mix of humor and contemporary and lovable curmudgeon). That’s how I ended up stumbling on The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen, 83 1/4 Years Old and also A Man Too Old for a Place Too Far and The Big Finish. They all sound like cranky old men that will obviously worm their way into my heart, as you do, and I can’t wait to read them. This is a trope I could never grow sick of!
This one seems very on topic, given today’s First Lines. I managed to get my hands on Britt-Marie Was Here, and I’m looking forward to picking it up! I didn’t like Britt-Marie at first when I read My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She’s Sorry. I actively hated her. As the story went on, though, somehow, I ended up falling in love with her, too? What is this sorcery? So I’m looking forward to getting more of her story, because she deserves so much more.
Since I read A Curse So Dark and Lonely, I’ve been even more determined to read Brigid Kemmerer’s earlier contemporary work, because I’m sure I’m going to love it. I actually bought Letters to the Lost years ago, and I just … haven’t gotten to it yet? I’m such a slacker.
All the books (Two) I’ve read my Backman I’ve loved. I need to read this one, too. My Friday quotes
Anne@HeadFullofBooks recently posted…Nonfiction review and quotes: IT ENDED BADLY
Yes, you should! I love all his work, but I think this is my favorite of his so far.
I agree with grandma, wholeheartedly!! <3 Happy weekend, stay safe!
Freda Mans-Labianca recently posted…The #Friday56 #Instagram56
Granny is definitely one of my favorite characters ever!
Wow, wow, wow. First of all, amazing new look to the blog! The book also sounds incredible. My TBR list is weeping over this one, for sure.
Thanks so much! I hope you love it! it’s one of my favorite books.
Happy Friday! 🙂
Today on my blog I’m sharing the first line from Unveiling the Past by Kim Vogel Sawyer. I’m currently reading Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey by Abigail Wilson. It’s awesome!!! I’ll share a line from chapter 3 here.
“As with so many previous events in my life, my marriage proved the complete opposite of my dreams.”
Isn’t that a fantastic line? The novel is filled with lines like this. So good!
Have a great weekend! 🙂💚📚
Nicole Santana recently posted…First-Line Friday #134
What a great line! Hope you enjoy it.
I really enjoyed Backman’s Beartown series. Someday I hope to read his other books. He creates such great characters. 🙂
Dedra @ A Book Wanderer recently posted…April 2020 Monthly Wrap-Up & Book Haul
Funny enough, I haven’t read Beartown yet. xD But I definitely recommend checking out his other work if you enjoyed that one!
What a wonderful story! I would love to read this book 🙂
Konna @ The Reading Armchair recently posted…Book Beginnings / Friday 56 – A Lover’s Discourse, by Roland Barthes
It’s a fantastic read! Highly recommend it.
I haven’t heard of this book before, so thanks for mentioning it. 🙂
Breana M. recently posted…The Friday 56 (177) & Book Beginnings: The Night Country by Melissa Albert
You liked A Man Called Ove, didn’t you? If you did, you should DEFINITELY read this. I loved Ove, but this one was even better.