~ I will post the first sentences of ten books. (I skip any beginning quotations or prefaces. If I think more than one sentence is necessary, I’ll post two.)
~ You guess the titles and authors and leave your guesses in the comments.
~ You don’t have to guess on all ten; guess on the ones you know.
~ I’ll update the post by putting the lines in bold and adding titles and authors when someone gets one correct.
~ Have fun!
I thought it would be fun to post this week’s first sentences from books that are on my to-read list, instead of books I’ve read already.
1. “If I was going to kill the Prophet,” I say, not even keeping my voice low, “I’d do it in Africa.” – The Chosen One, Carol Lynch Williams – guessed by Avis
2. “Four ball, side pocket.” Aislinn pushed the cue forward with a short, quick thrust; the ball dropped into the pocket with a satisfying clack. – Wicked Lovely, Melissa Marr – guessed by Sandy
3. As we drove out of the city’s fabulous sprawl last night, I wondered whether I could kill my husband and plead insanity. – Wife in the North, Judith O’Reilly – guessed by Ladytink
4. Every smiley moon, without fail, Claire dreamed of her childhood. – Garden Spells, Sarah Addison Allen – guessed by Emily
5. We were fractious and overpaid. Our mornings lacked promise. – Then We Came to the End, Joshua Ferris – guessed by Raidergirl
6. It is three hundred forty-eight years, six months, and nineteen days ago today that the citizens of Paris were awakened by the pealing of all the bells in the triple precincts of the City, the University, and the Town. – The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Victor Hugo – guessed by Emily
7. Suppose that you and I were sitting in a quiet room overlooking a garden, chatting and sipping at our cups of green tea while we talked about something that had happened a long while ago, and I said to you, “That afternoon when I met so-and-so…was the very best afternoon of my life, and also the very worst afternoon.” – Memoirs of a Geisha, Arthur Golden – guessed by Kristi
8. Miss Brooke had that kind of beauty which seems to be thrown into relief by poor dress. – Middlemarch, George Elliot – guessed by Sandy
9. My suffering left me sad and gloomy. – Life of Pi, Yann Martel – guessed by Emily
10. On a January evening of the early seventies, Christine Nilsson was singing in Faust at the Academy of Music in New York. – The Age of Innocence, Edith Wharton – stumped you all on this one!
Guess away!
I think the first quote is from The Chosen One!
Sorry, none of these seem vaguely familiar. I don’t think I’ve read any of them, but I’m probably wrong!
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Avis – yes, you’re correct!
Jackie – maybe some will seem more familiar after I had the clues tonight.
Twitter: youvegottaread
says:
OK, I think perhaps I might have a couple? Is #2 “Wicked Lovely”? I’ve been researching this book, trying to get hold of an audio, and I recognize the name. And #8 “Middlemarch”?
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Sandy – yes on both counts!
I don’t know what #3 is, but I think I’d like to read it.
#5 Then We Came to the End by Joshua Ferris
it was a hoot! I just read this last month.
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Andrea – I know, isn’t that a great first line?!
Raidergirl – yep, that’s the one.
Is number 9 Life of Pi by Yann Martel?
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Emily – yes, it is!
I’ll be adding some clues to any titles not guessed tonight before I go to bed.
THe only one I knew was the Life of Pi because it was on my quiz today
#3 Wife In The North by Judith O’reilly!
Twitter: BookstoreK
says:
I read #6, now I have something new to obsess over when I wake up in the middle of the night and can’t get back to sleep.
#7 is Memoirs of a Geisha?
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Ladytink and Kristi – yes, you are correct.
I added clues to the final three – sorry I didn’t get a chance to do it last night – I was pooped.
#4 Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen
#6 The Hunchback of Notre-Dame by Victor Hugo
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Emily – yes, you’re correct on both counts.
I’m posting the final answer now, in case any of you are still wracking your brains.