Sunday, January 01, 2017

First Book of 2017!

I love participating in Book Journey's First Book of the Year when I am able to! Check out the photos at the link - it's a fun celebration of reading on this day that marks a new year and a fresh start. Apparently, you had to submit photos ahead of time to truly participate & be in Sheila's photo collage, but I didn't know what I would be reading on January 1 until this morning! I might have finished my current book last night and started a new one (though I didn't).

So, here is my First Book of 2017:



I am reading Dept. of Speculation by Jenny Offill - this was actually a gift from my husband LAST Christmas (yup, behind as usual), so I am glad I finally got to it. It's an unusual novel, written in short stream-of-consciousness paragraphs, though it is roughly chronological. It's a woman telling the story of her marriage, from when and how they met to the birth of their daughter to struggles they have. Once you get used to the unique format, it is a very engaging story. It's also a very short novel, which is why I wasn't sure I'd still be reading it by today! It's a good book to kick off the year.

What is YOUR First Book of 2017?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

26 comments:

  1. Hope you love your first book and that you have a wonderful reading year in 2017!

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  2. Happy New Year!! That sounds like a great book to start the new year. I'll have to check it out!

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    1. Thanks, Colleen - it was a good one - I just finished it last night.

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  3. I love that you are reading a gift from last Christmas. :) Happy New Year!

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    1. ha ha - yeah, I have an entire TBR bookcase, so I am always behind! I did get more good books this Christmas, so I need to finish last year's!

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  4. I have heard great things about Dept. of Speculation and hope you enjoy it, Sue! It's one I'd like to read. I am finishing up my current read today, a Lisa See novel, and will start an Austen novel in the evening.

    Have a Happy New Year!

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    1. Oh, I have always wanted to read a Lisa See novel (I think I have one here somewhere) - I need to get to that! Dept of Speculation was very good.

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  5. Yes special book to begin the year for sure. I know those kind of books sound difficult but as you say as you get used to the style the My First Book of the Yearstory takes over. Happy New Year.

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    1. Yes! This one definitely took some getting used to, but once I did, it was a quick read.

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  6. Glad that you are starting the year with a book that was gifted by your husband. I hope you enjoy it!

    Vonnie's First Book

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  7. Hi Sue! I hope you enjoy your first book of 2017. I always have such a hard time choosing and then making sure I get my photo to Sheila in time. :)

    I'm sharing my first book of the year at Brooke Blogs.

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    1. Me, too, Brooke! I don;t think I ever get my photo in ahead of time but it's still fun to participate :)

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  8. Glad to know I'm not the only one reading 2015 gifts in 2017! I hope you enjoy this read. It's been on my TBR for awhile and one I hope to get to soon. Happy New Year!

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    1. ha ha - no, I still have plenty of older books waiting on my TBR bookcase! I never seem to catch up.

      Dept of Speculation was good - very unique approach.

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  9. Can't wait to see what you think of Dept. of Speculation. I had picked it up but put it aside after a few pages because I couldn't get into it.

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    1. It definitely took more than a few pages to get into its story and rhythm, Tanya, but once I did, I enjoyed it. A totally unique approach but it worked!

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  10. I didn't officially do the First Book of the Year thing this year, but I did finish a book today. It was "I Liked My Life" by Abby Fabiaschi and I absolutely LOVED it!

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    1. Sounds good, Melinda! Glad you got some reading time to kick off the new year!

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  11. My first book is a Patricia Cornwell mystery so that feels like a good way to begin the year!

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  12. I participate in Sheila's two January challenges: My first book is Star Shot by Mary Ann Constintine, a book I received via Ninja Book Swap this past year.

    And my word for the year is REST. I had a bit of a "blip" in December which has forced me to cut back. REST is a good word

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    1. Rest is a good one, Andrea. With my chronic illness, rest is SO important, and I rarely take care of myself as well as I should. Sorry to hear you've had some recent challenges - hope you do get plenty of rest & recuperation in 2017!

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  13. My first book of 2017 was What Alice Forgot. Loved it! Now to findicate my second book!

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    1. Oh, I've wanted to read that one! Enjoy the rest of your 2017 reading!

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