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.
Something about the question irritates me. I’m tired. I drift back to sleep.
I leaned to Dimitri. “Are all Russians crazy?”
“Yes,” he said with a smile. “It is the only way to be Russian and happy at the same time.”
“That’s . . . dark.”
“That’s Russian!”
Ryland Grace is the sole survivor on a desperate, last-chance mission–and if he fails, humanity and the earth itself will perish.
Except that right now, he doesn’t know that. He can’t even remember his own name, let alone the nature of his assignment or how to complete it.
All he knows is that he’s been asleep for a very, very long time. And he’s just been awakened to find himself millions of miles from home, with nothing but two corpses for company.
His crewmates dead, his memories fuzzily returning, he realizes that an impossible task now confronts him. Alone on this tiny ship that’s been cobbled together by every government and space agency on the planet and hurled into the depths of space, it’s up to him to conquer an extinction-level threat to our species.
And thanks to an unexpected ally, he just might have a chance.
Part scientific mystery, part dazzling interstellar journey, Project Hail Mary is a tale of discovery, speculation, and survival to rival The Martian–while taking us to places it never dreamed of going.
- Conversational, sarcastic writing voice that sucks you in and makes you hold on for dear life.
- Intriguing mystery that unravels little by little as the book goes along.
- Split timeline told in the present with flashbacks as the protagonist remembers their life.
- Lots of geeky, sciency goodness perfect for the nerd in us all.
- Not nearly nerdy enough? That’s okay, too! Not overly bogged down in science, and it’s explained in laymen’s terms.
- Very interesting twist on space and aliens.
- Endearing characters that will absolutely grab your heart.
5 On My TBR is hosted by E. @ Local Bee Hunter’s Nook and is meant to take place on Mondays. But since Fridays tend to be my TBR-focused post, I’ve decided to combine them here. Next Monday’s prompt is: aliens.
I actually don’t really read alien books (says the person who is currently reading an alien book—I assure you, I didn’t miss the irony). So instead, I’m going to change this prompt to a more my-TBR-friendly version and I’m going to do: non-human sentient species.
Network Effect by Martha Wells
I don’t think I need to explain how much I love Murderbot. I’ve made it through the four novellas, but I haven’t picked this one up just yet, so I need to rectify that pretty soon. I own it, which is a good first step when you think about it. I’ve heard that this book well and truly lives up to the amazingness that is the first four novellas, so I’m definitely looking forward to reading it!
Unnatural Magic by C. M. Waggoner
After reading and loving The Ruthless Lady’s Guide to Wizardry, I definitely want to check out Waggoner’s other book, which I believe is set in the same world. This one has a protagonist that’s a troll, so that’s fun and interesting (and technically not human). It sounds like F/F romance mixed with murder mystery. And that’s a combination I can get behind.
Narwhal I’m Around by Aaron Reynolds
I had so much fun with the first book of this series, so I definitely want to read the next one. In this case, the sentient creatures are animals . . . well, ghost animals. That’s Rex Dexter’s curse, after all: to be sought out by ghost animals in the afterlife who need his help solving a mystery. This book sounds like it’s going to be every bit as funny as the first one, and I can’t wait to read it!
A Royal Guide to Monster Slaying by Kelley Armstrong
First, the covers in this series are absolutely stunning. More importantly, though, this sounds like a hecking fun adventure! The blurb also mentions a “feisty and determined” jackalope, along with a giant wolf. I don’t know if they talk (since, you know, I haven’t read the book yet), but they seem to have some amount of sentience. I think this series also has an abundance of creatures, since a gryphon is mentioned in this one, too, and there are definitely other mythical creatures mentioned in later books.
Saga, Vol. 2 – 9 by Brian K. Vaughan
Not gonna lie, I actually hope to read these this weekend, since I was able to grab them all from my library. Seems like a convenient time, considering. I read volume 1 of this and really enjoyed it. It was a bit more bloody than I expected, but not in any way that is going to make me stop reading it. This one definitely counts as aliens. 2 out of 5 aliens is a pretty good record, right?! I actually really like the art style of this, and the different aliens we meet just in the first book is definitely interesting and has me wanting more.
What are you reading this week? Share its first line in the comment below or drop your own First Line links!
June 1858 – I clung to the ship’s rail, staring out at the sea below, mesmerized by the thousands of stars and the sliver of moon reflected on its surface. This is what infinity looks like.”
“Landscape of a Marriage”, the fictional biography of Fred & Mary Olmsted. He created Central Park and so many other famous landmarks.
Gina recently posted…2021 Friday Finds June 11 – Open Now
Oh man, that’s a really visceral opening! Sounds like a really interesting read.
Reading Andy Weir always feels like a warm hug to me, for some reason. Why is that?
Tammy @ Books, Bones & Buffy recently posted…The Friday Face-Off: An Annoying Cover
I can’t tell you, since this was my first Andy Weir book, but that’s a great description for it! That’s exactly what it feels like. I’m definitely gonna have to go back and read The Martian now.
What an intriguing blurb! I also love the excerpts. Thanks for sharing, and for visiting my blog.
Laurel-Rain Snow recently posted…AUTHOR’S HOME PAGE
It was a fantastic read! I highly recommend it!
I have yet to read an Andy Weir book. Which one is a good place to start?
Marie @ Pages to Explore
I honestly can’t say, since this is the first one I’ve read myself. xD Though, this seems like a pretty good place to start? I really enjoyed it!
I want to read this one. It sounds so good! Thanks for sharing! Hope you have a great weekend! 🙂
It was great! I hope you get a chance to pick it up.
Those are great teasers! Thanks for sharing the opening on Book Beginnings.
I can empathize with the protag in the beginning. 🙂 I want to read this one! Happy weekend!
Freda Mans-Labianca recently posted…The #Friday56 & #Instagram56
I loved the “conversational” tone of this protagonist. Super relatable!
Not quite as gripping a first line as The Martian, but a compelling premise. Thanks for sharing.
Because you read middle grade, have you seen Star Whales by Rebecca Thorne? We were in a writing group together for awhile.
Roberta@It’s a Mystery recently posted…#BookBeginnings The Deep, Deep Snow by Brian Freeman
I haven’t read The Martian, so I have nothing to compare it to. It’s definitely not in my list of top first lines, but the rest of the book more than made up for it. 🙂
I hadn’t heard of that, but it sounds interesting! That’s really neat that you were in a writing group with her.
I’m intrigued by those excerpts. Sounds exciting.
Hail Mary is on my reading list and now I am more excited about it than ever. Thanks for visiting my blog.
Anne@HeadFullofBooks recently posted…Review and quotes: EVERYTHING SAD IS UNTRUE (A TRUE STORY)
I thought it was a great book! Hope you get to read it soon.
I know it’s simple, but I LOVE that beginning. I’ve been wanting to read this book. I definitely need to get my hands on it!
Cheryl @ I Heart Fictional People recently posted…Friday Book Beginnings and Book Blogger Hop #10
Sometimes the simple beginnings are the best kind. I really enjoyed it! Would definitely recommend you find a way to get your hands on it. xD
I am so looking forward to Project Hail Mary!
Also, I feel guilty for not having read A Royal Guide to Monster Slaying yet. I preordered it, and it’s been sitting on my bookshelf since release date, waiting for me to get around to it. Sigh. Not enough reading time in the day…
Nicole @ BookWyrm Knits recently posted…Book Review: The Wonder Engine (T. Kingfisher)
I think you’ll enjoy Project Hail Mary. I sure did!
I had an eARC of the second one, so I was supposed to read the first one forever ago, and I feel kind of bad, too, that I didn’t. xD
I loved Project Hail Mary – I think it’s my favorite from him so far. 🙂
Unnatural Magic was fantastic – and Saga is one of my favorites! I can’t wait for the next coming volume!
Happy weekend!
Lauren @ Always Me recently posted…The Friday 56 (With Book Beginnings): The Unspoken Name (The Serpent Gates #1) by A.K. Larkwood
I finished Saga, and now I’m sad and empty and impatient for more. xD Glad to hear that you enjoyed Unnatural Magic, though!