Blogging Anniversary - 10 years

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A while ago I checked when I did my first blog post, in order to celebrate with an anniversary post. Well, that day came and went without any reaction from me. Better late than never, so here a reminder of my very first blog post from 24 October 2012.  The book was New Finnish Grammar  by Diego Marani. Marani is an Italian novelist, translator and newspaper columnist. While working as a translator for the European Union he invented a language ‘Europanto’ which is a mixture of languages and based on the common practice of word-borrowing usage of many EU languages. It was a suitable book to start with, being a book about letters, languages and memories. With a beautiful prose, the novel went directly to my heart.  "One night at Trieste in September 1943 a seriously wounded soldier is found on the quay. The doctor, of a newly arrived German hospital ship, Pietri Friari gives the unconscious soldier medical assistance. His new patient has no documents or anything that can ide...
5 comments

Book beginnings on Friday and the Friday 56

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Two interesting weekly memes Book beginnings on Friday is hosted by Rose City Reader and the Friday 56 by Freda’s Voice.


For the Book Beginnings you choose a book with an interesting beginning and share the first few sentences. For the Friday 56 you turn to page 56 or 56% on your e-reader and share a sentence or two that you enjoy.


This week I would like to share the beginning of Maggie O’Farrell’s The hand that first held mine.
”Listen. The trees in this story are stirring, trembling, readjusting themselves. A breeze is coming in gusts off the sea, and it is almost as if the trees know, in their restlessness, in their headrossing impatience, that something is about to happen.”
On page 56 I find the following sentences:
”Lexie’s mother gave her two pieces of advice when she left for London: 1. Get a secretarial job in a big, successful firm because that will ’put you in the path of the right sort of man’. 2. Never be in the same room as a man and a bed.
Her father said: don’t waste your time with any more studying because it always makes women disagreeable.
Her younger siblings said: remember to visit the Queen.
Her aunt, who had spent some time in London in the 1920s told her never to use the Underground (it was dirty and full of unsavoury types), never to go into coffee bars (they were full of germs), always to wear a girdle and carry an umbrella, and never to go to Soho.
Needless to say, she disregarded them all.”

Sorry, that was a little bit long, but I really think it is great so I quote the whole paragraph, which if I am to be honest, started on page 55! Well, well…!

Comments

  1. Elza Reads8 July 2016 at 14:32

    Never be in the same room with a man and a bed. As if.... I love the title and the part that you shared. Will have a look at it on Goodreads. Please visit my Friday Meets on http://marelithalkink.blogspot.co.za/2016/07/friday-meets-08-july-2016.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lisbeth 8 July 2016 at 18:32

      It is a really great quote. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the book beginnings and page 56.

      Delete
  2. Laurel-Rain Snow8 July 2016 at 16:06

    I love this author, and read this one a while ago...that list of "advice" from everyone still makes me chuckle. I hope you enjoy the book.

    Here's mine: “IN TWENTY YEARS”

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lisbeth 8 July 2016 at 18:32

      I did, although I did not entirely like the writing. But the story is great.

      Delete
  3. Katherine P8 July 2016 at 17:16

    I love that 56! I had to laugh about the fact she disregarded all the advice. Sounds like a smart woman! I haven't read anything from this author but I do like sound of this one!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lisbeth 8 July 2016 at 18:34

      This is my first book by her. As I mention in my review, I loved the book, but not entirely the way it was written. However, she is a very intelligent woman, and it just shows, if you are set to achieve something you will. I wonderful, intriguing story.

      Delete
  4. Kathy Martin8 July 2016 at 17:31

    I especially like the 56. Sounds like an interesting story. I'm working my way through TBR mountain and landed on Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas this week. Happy reading!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lisbeth 8 July 2016 at 18:36

      Yes, this is great. There are a lot of great quotes through the book. I am not too much interested in fantasy, but some are indeed interesting.

      Delete
  5. Anne@HeadFullofBooks8 July 2016 at 18:41

    Is this a memoir? It sounds like it could be. I think of the time that my husband was going to Iraq with the National Guard. Everyone gave him advice. "Be careful." "Drink lots of water." and then my aunt looked him in the eye and said "Shoot straight." It makes me cry to think of it, especially since she is gone now.
    My Friday Quotes

    ReplyDelete
  6. Unknown8 July 2016 at 19:10

    I haven't read this author before but have her newest book. This sounds funny and heartfelt. Enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lisbeth 9 July 2016 at 20:15

      I looked it up and it also sounds interesting. Please let me know what you think.

      Delete
  7. Breana M.8 July 2016 at 22:04

    This seems like an interesting book. Enjoy the book! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lisbeth 9 July 2016 at 20:14

      It is, and I did enjoy it, although I don't like the way that some chapters are written.

      Delete
  8. Unknown9 July 2016 at 00:34

    Sounds like a fun weekend read. Had to laugh at the "advice". LOL

    My Friday 56 from Scar Tissue

    ReplyDelete
  9. fredamans9 July 2016 at 01:33

    Sounds rather good to me. Happy weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lisbeth 9 July 2016 at 20:13

      It is quite a fascinating book, and not what it seems.

      Delete
  10. Unknown9 July 2016 at 15:36

    Great 56! The book sounds interesting. Thanks for sharing.
    Here is my Friday 56

    ReplyDelete
  11. Lauren Stoolfire13 July 2016 at 05:12

    Sounds promising - happy reading!
    Check out my Friday 56 (With Book Beginnings).

    ReplyDelete
  12. Lisbeth 13 July 2016 at 13:42

    Thank you. I love your beginning and 56 as well. A must read I think!

    ReplyDelete

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