First Lines Friday is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words, or, as her blog is going by now, Emma IRL. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author, or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?

• Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
• Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
• Finally… reveal the book!

Well hello beautiful people. it’s been a long week. I did finish my Starry Nights Lego set the other day. After not having worked on it for over two weeks, I’m considering that a win.

Today’s book is one I got for Christmas last year. The Hubs is a good one, I tell ya!

The Lines:

When I couldn’t fall sleep, I counted the parts of the body. I used the outdated numbers. What they taught me back in school when only the ultrarich upgraded. Two hundred and six bones. Seventy-eight organs.

Intrigued?

The Book:

The Body Scout by Lincoln Michel

In the future you can have any body you want—as long as you can afford it.

But in a New York ravaged by climate change and repeat pandemics, Kobo is barely scraping by. He scouts the latest in gene-edited talent for Big Pharma-owned baseball teams, but his own cybernetics are a decade out of date and twin sister loan sharks are banging down his door. Things couldn’t get much worse.

Then his brother—Monsanto Mets slugger J.J. Zunz—is murdered at home plate.

Determined to find the killer, Kobo plunges into a world of genetically modified CEOs, philosophical Neanderthals, and back-alley body modification, only to quickly find he’s in a game far bigger and more corrupt than he imagined. To keep himself together while the world is falling apart, he’ll have to navigate a time where both body and soul are sold to the highest bidder.

It’s giving me Repo: The Genetic Opera vibes and I like it!

Would you add this book to your list?

First Lines Friday is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words, or, as her blog is going by now, Emma IRL. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author, or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?

• Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
• Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
• Finally… reveal the book!

Well hello beautiful people! It’s Friday and what a pretty one it is. That being said, it is extremely hot outside, so make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids and staying cool if you are able!

The Lines:

I like a good happily ever after as much as the next girl, but after sitting through forty-eight different iterations of the same one- forty-nine if you count my (former) best friend’s wedding- I have to say the shine is wearing off a little.

Intrigued?

The Book:

A Mirror Mended by Alix E. Harrow

Zinnia Gray, professional fairy-tale fixer and lapsed Sleeping Beauty is over rescuing snoring princesses. Once you’ve rescued a dozen damsels and burned fifty spindles, once you’ve gotten drunk with twenty good fairies and made out with one too many members of the royal family, you start to wish some of these girls would just get a grip and try solving their own narrative issues.

Just when Zinnia’s beginning to think she can’t handle one more princess, she glances into a mirror and sees another face looking back at her: the shockingly gorgeous face of evil, asking for her help. Because there’s more than one person trapped in a story they didn’t choose. Snow White’s Evil Queen has found out how her story ends and she’s desperate for a better ending. She wants Zinnia to help her before it’s too late for everyone.

Will Zinnia accept the Queen’s poisonous request, and save them both from the hot iron shoes that wait for them, or will she try another path?

This is a sequel to A Spindle Splintered, and I am very much looking forward to reading this one.

But what do you think, will you add this to your TBR?

Welll hello beautiful people! It’s First Lines Friday today.

First Lines Friday is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words, or, as her blog is going by now, Emma IRL. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author, or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?

• Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
• Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
• Finally… reveal the book!

The Lines:

” Death is a part if life,” Orka whispered in her son’s ear. Even though Breca’s arm was drawn back, the ash-spear gripper tight in his small, white-knuckled fist and the spearhead aimed at the reindeer in front of them, she could see the hesitation in his eyes, in the set of his jaw.

Intrigued?

The Book:

The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwyne

A century has passed since the gods fought and drove themselves to extinction. Now only their bones remain, promising great power to those brave enough to seek them out.

As whispers of war echo across the land of Vigrid, fate follows in the footsteps of three warriors: a huntress on a dangerous quest, a noblewoman pursuing battle fame, and a thrall seeking vengeance among the mercenaries known as the Bloodsworn.

All three will shape the fate of the world as it once more falls under the shadow of the gods.

I’m not gonna lie, part of why I got this book was that amazing cover. The premise doesn’t sound that bad either. I haven’t read a big epic fantasy in a while and I’ve heard great things about this one. What do you think?

Well hello! It’s Friday! I’m actually looking forward to tomorrow as it’s the start of the library’s Summer Reading Program! I’m going to be so busy, but it will be a lot of fun.

Happy First Lines Friday, by the way.

First Lines Friday is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words, or, as her blog is going by now, Emma IRL. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author, or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?

• Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
• Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
• Finally… reveal the book!

The Lines

No one had seen the woman who lived at 256 Woodland Drive since early November. Now it was late April and the house looked abandoned. A modern masterpiece, set back from the road and surrounded by gardens, it had once been the neighborhood’s biggest attraction.

Intrigued?

The Book:

The Change by Kirsten Miller

In the Long Island oceanfront community of Mattauk, three different women discover that midlife changes bring a whole new type of empowerment…

After Nessa James’s husband dies and her twin daughters leave for college, she’s left all alone in a trim white house not far from the ocean. In the quiet of her late forties, the former nurse begins to hear voices. It doesn’t take long for Nessa to realize that the voices calling out to her belong to the dead—a gift she’s inherited from her grandmother, which comes with special responsibilities.

On the cusp of 50, suave advertising director Harriett Osborne has just witnessed the implosion of her lucrative career and her marriage. She hasn’t left her house in months, and from the outside, it appears as if she and her garden have both gone to seed. But Harriett’s life is far from over—in fact, she’s undergone a stunning and very welcome metamorphosis.

Ambitious former executive Jo Levison has spent thirty long years at war with her body. The free-floating rage and hot flashes that arrive with the beginning of menopause feel like the very last straw—until she realizes she has the ability to channel them, and finally comes into her power.

Guided by voices only Nessa can hear, the trio of women discover a teenage girl whose body was abandoned beside a remote beach. The police have written the victim off as a drug-addicted sex worker, but the women refuse to buy into the official narrative. Their investigation into the girl’s murder leads to more bodies, and to the town’s most exclusive and isolated enclave, a world of stupendous wealth where the rules don’t apply. With their newfound powers, Jo, Nessa, and Harriett will take matters into their own hands…

This book sounds so good and I picked it up on release day. I couldn’t help myself. Also that cover!

So, what will you be doing this weekend? Reading The Change? Searching the shelves at your local library? Or playing board games with friends?

Hello beautiful people! It’s Friday! Huzzah! That means the weekend is upon us. We just have to get through whatever today brings then we are free! To do what, that is entirely up to you. Me, I’m going to hang with some cool people and maybe read a book.

And seeing as how it’s Friday, it’s First Lines Friday!

First Lines Friday is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words, or, as her blog is going by now, Emma IRL. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author, or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?

• Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
• Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
• Finally… reveal the book!

Today’s book came out five years ago, is the first in a series, and was picked by one of my book clubs as their pick for May!

The Lines:

Ragnvald danced on the oars, leaping from one to the next as the crew rowed. Some kept their oars just to make it easier on him; some tried to jostle Ragnvald off when he landed on them.

Intrigued?

The Book:

The Half-Drowned King by Linnea Hartsuyker

Ragnvald Eysteinsson, the son and grandson of kings, grew up believing that he would one day take his dead father’s place as chief of his family’s lands. But, sailing home from a raiding trip to Ireland, the young warrior is betrayed and left for dead by men in the pay of his greedy stepfather, Olaf. Rescued by a fisherman, Ragnvald is determined to have revenge for his stepfather’s betrayal, claim his birthright and the woman he loves, and rescue his beloved sister Svanhild. Opportunity may lie with Harald of Vestfold, the strong young Norse warrior rumored to be the prophesied king. Ragnvald pledges his sword to King Harald, a choice that will hold enormous consequences in the years to come.

While Ragnvald’s duty is to fight—and even die—for his honor, Svanhild must make an advantageous marriage, though her adventurous spirit yearns to see the world. Her stepfather, Olaf, has arranged a husband for her—a hard old man she neither loves nor desires. When the chance to escape Olaf’s cruelty comes at the hands of her brother’s arch-rival, the shrewd young woman is forced to make a heartbreaking choice: family or freedom.

Hello beautiful people! What a fine Friday it’s turning out to be. I say that, having just woken up and not had any tea yet. But at least the Hubs and I are both off of work and get to spend some quality time together today! Huzzah for Friday!

And since it’s Friday, It’s First Lines Friday!

First Lines Friday is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words, or, as her blog is going by now, Emma IRL. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author, or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?

• Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
• Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
• Finally… reveal the book!

Today’s book just came out this year and I have high hopes for it.

The Lines:

She gives birth in mud and mire. She squats and strains under the fog-shrowded bower of a gnarled cottongum.

Intrigued?

The Book:

The Starless Crown by James Rollins

A gifted student foretells an apocalypse. Her reward is a sentence of death.

Fleeing into the unknown she is drawn into a team of outcasts:

A broken soldier, who once again takes up the weapons he’s forbidden to wield and carves a trail back home.

A drunken prince, who steps out from his beloved brother’s shadow and claims a purpose of his own.

An imprisoned thief, who escapes the crushing dark and discovers a gleaming artifact – one that will ignite a power struggle across the globe.

On the run, hunted by enemies old and new, they must learn to trust each other in order to survive in a world evolved in strange, beautiful, and deadly ways, and uncover ancient secrets that hold the key to their salvation.

But with each passing moment, doom draws closer.

WHO WILL CLAIM THE STARLESS CROWN?

Sounds good, doesn’t it? What do you think? Would you pick up this book?

Well hello, beautiful people! Sorry for my absence this week. Life has been a little bit crazy. I picked up some extra hours at work and took some unexpected naps. Also, my cat was sick, so that was fun. Unfortunately, she’s not 100% better and will have to be on medication for the rest of her life, but as long as she is happy, it’s worth it.

But it does happen to be First Lines Friday!

First Lines Friday is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words, or, as her blog is going by now, Emma IRL. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author, or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?

• Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
• Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
• Finally… reveal the book!

Today’s book is one I’m really excited about and another recent addition to my TBR.

The Lines:

In the dim light of her desk’s single bulb lamp, the map nearly glowed. Fra Mauro, it was called.

Intrigued?

The Book:

The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd

Nell Young’s whole life and greatest passion is cartography. Her father, Dr. Daniel Young, is a legend in the field and Nell’s personal hero. But she hasn’t seen or spoken to him ever since he cruelly fired her and destroyed her reputation after an argument over an old, cheap gas station highway map.

But when Dr. Young is found dead in his office at the New York Public Library, with the very same seemingly worthless map hidden in his desk, Nell can’t resist investigating. To her surprise, she soon discovers that the map is incredibly valuable and exceedingly rare. In fact, she may now have the only copy left in existence . . . because a mysterious collector has been hunting down and destroying every last one—along with anyone who gets in the way.

But why?

To answer that question, Nell embarks on a dangerous journey to reveal a dark family secret and discovers the true power that lies in maps . . .

This one was a Book of the Month pick, and I was happy to see it as one of the selections!

What say you? Does it tickle your fancy, so to speak?

Well hello, beautiful people! How is everyone doing today? Me, I’ve been trying to deal with this crazy weather. It was in the 40s at one point this week, and now it is supposed to be 82 tomorrow. I suffer from migraines, and this nonsense is mostly why.

But on to happier things! It’s First Lines Friday!

First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words, or, as her blog is going by now, Emma IRL. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author, or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?

• Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
• Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
• Finally… reveal the book!

Today’s book is one I just recently added to my TBR. Like, this week. It’s also a new release!

The Lines:

Kareena tore the eye mask off her forehead and straightened her Taylor Swift sleep shirt. She had secured her dream job at a company that developed women-owned businesses in the tri-state area before her thirtieth birthday. But of course, one text from a client and her boss energy dissipated like mist.

Intrigued?

The Book:

Dating Dr. Dil by Nisha Sharma

Hi! I’m Kareena Mann. As cheesy as it sounds, I’m looking for my soulmate. In four months. And he must gain the approval of my meddling aunties.

Kareena dreams of having a perfect love story like her parents did. That’s why on the morning of her thirtieth birthday, she’s decided to suit up and enter the dating arena. When her widowed father announces he’s retiring and selling their home after her sister’s engagement party, Kareena makes a deal with him. If she can find her soulmate by the date of the party, he’ll gift her the house, and she’ll be able to keep her mother’s legacy alive.

Hi, I’m Dr. Prem Verma, host of the Dr. Dil Show. Prem means love, Dil means heart, and I’m a cardiologist. Don’t let my name fool you. I only fix broken hearts in the literal sense.

Prem doesn’t have time for romance, which is why it’s no surprise when his first meeting with Kareena goes awry. Their second encounter is worse when their on-air debate about love goes viral. Now Prem’s largest community center donor is backing out because Prem’s reputation as a heart-health expert is at risk. To get back in his donor’s good graces, he needs to fix his image fast, and dating Kareena is his only option.

Even though they have warring interests, the more time Prem spends with Kareena, the more he thinks she’s might actually be the woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with. In this Taming of the Shrew re-imagination, for Prem and Kareena to find their happily ever after, they must admit that hate has turned into fate.

Now, I’ve never read The Taming of the Shrew, but given that I love every adaptation I have seen (Ten Things I Hate About You anyone?), I probably should. Also, this book just came out this month, March 15th to be precise.

What do you think, would you give this book a try?

Well hello, beautiful people! I am currently in the midst of trying to talk myself both into and out of reorganizing my library. It’s been a very interesting time listening to my internal monologue. It basically goes “the Brandon Sanderson books are going to need more space!” and “you don’t have to worry about Sanderson until next year, reorganize then”. I’m sure the Hubs would be of help…if I had talked to him about this.

I never claimed to make sense.

But it is Friday, so its time for me to put the debate to the side for now, and concentrate on First Lines Friday! First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words, or, as her blog is going by now, Emma IRL. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author, or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?

• Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
• Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
• Finally… reveal the book!

Today’s book is one that has been on my TBR for years…and years. And it’s the first book in a series.

The Line:

It started at one-thirty on a cold Thursday morning in January when Michael Turner, Street performer and, in his own words, apprentice gigolo, tripped over a body in front of the West Portico of St. Paul’s at Covent Garden.

Intrigued?

The Book:

Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch

Probationary Constable Peter Grant dreams of being a detective in London’s Metropolitan Police. Too bad his superior plans to assign him to the Case Progression Unit, where the biggest threat he’ll face is a paper cut. But Peter’s prospects change in the aftermath of a puzzling murder, when he gains exclusive information from an eyewitness who happens to be a ghost. Peter’s ability to speak with the lingering dead brings him to the attention of Detective Chief Inspector Thomas Nightingale, who investigates crimes involving magic and other manifestations of the uncanny. Now, as a wave of brutal and bizarre murders engulfs the city, Peter is plunged into a world where gods and goddesses mingle with mortals and a long-dead evil is making a comeback on a rising tide of magic.

This book was originally published in America under the name Midnight Riot, they have since fixed this egregious error.

I bought this book back in 2014 and for some reason just never picked it up. No idea why. Could be because it’s an ebook, and those are harder to keep track of. Heck, I may have even tried to read it at some point, but I don’t remember. That, by the way, is very unlikely, as I remember almost all of the books I read. Can’t always remember their names, but I remember them!

Have you read Rivers of London? What did you think?

Happy Friday y’all! It’s quite the Friday here in Texas. The weather has lost its mind. It was 65 degrees here yesterday and today the low is 24 degrees with a chance of sleet. What is happening?

But let’s not dwell on that unpleasantness. It’s First Lines Friday!

First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words, or, as her blog is going by now, Emma IRL. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author, or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?

• Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
• Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
• Finally… reveal the book!

The Lines:

I will tell you a story.

Seven years ago, when I was ten, I became lost in the woods. My sisters and I had been traveling the road that skims the coast like a stone from Dintagel. I loved our summer home-a spume-silvered rock of houses and workshops, its docks piled high with amphorae.

Intrigued?

The Book:

Sistersong by Lucy Holland

In the kingdom of Dumnonia, there is old magic to be found in the whisper of the wind, the roots of the trees, and the curl of the grass. King Cador knew this once, but now the land has turned from him, calling instead to his three children. Riva can cure others, but can’t seem to heal her own deep scars. Keyne battles to be accepted for who he truly is—the king’s son. And Sinne dreams of seeing the world, of finding adventure.

All three fear a life of confinement within the walls of the hold, their people’s last bastion of strength against the invading Saxons. However, change comes on the day ash falls from the sky. It brings with it Myrdhin, meddler and magician. And Tristan, a warrior who is not what he seems.

Riva, Keyne and Sinne—three siblings entangled in a web of betrayal and heartbreak, who must fight to forge their own paths. 

Their story will shape the destiny of Britain.

This book sounds like it will enchant me from the first word. I’m thinking of adding it to one of my TBRs later this year! What do you think?