"It began like this. I went to the shelves on the landing to look for a book I knew was there. It was not. But plenty of others were and among them I noticed at least a dozen I realised I had never read.
I pursued the elusive book through several rooms and did not find it in any of them, but each time I did find at least a dozen, perhaps two dozen, perhaps two hundred, that I had never read.
And then I picked out a book I had read but forgotten I owned. And another and another. After that came the books I had read, knew I owned and realised that I wanted to read again.
I found the book I was looking for in the end, but by then it had become far more than a book. It marked the start of a journey through my own library."
Howards End is on the Landing
by Susan Hill
As the end of the year approaches, I have come to the realization that I may only finish one or two more books. Perusing my shelves, I spied Susan Hill's book (subtitled A Year of Reading from Home), and thought it would be the perfect lead-in to The TBR Double Dare. I'm only proposing to read "from home" for three months, but these first few sentences have me even more excited to begin.
Tuesday Intros is hosted by Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea. Every week she posts the opening paragraph (maybe two) of a book she decided to read based on the opening paragraph(s). Feel free to grab the button and play along.
That does get the juices flowing! Enjoy reading the book.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like the perfect start to your challenge. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteGreat book, and great lead-in for the Double Dare!
ReplyDeleteHow perfect is that intro?? Sounds like any one of us book bloggers might have written it...LOL
ReplyDeleteGreat pick - keep reading.
This book added quite a few others to my TBR pile! But it also led me to blogging, because it felt like a conversation about books, one that I wanted to continue.
ReplyDeleteI'm cheating by saying yes, I would, because I've wanted to read this book since I first heard about it, and it's be on my metaphorical landing for what, a year? and I haven't read it. :) Sigh. Looking forward to your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteSusan Hill has an earlier book which is one of my all-time favorites. It's called The Magic Apple Tree - sounds like a chidren's book (I think she writes those, too?) but it's a very lovely chronicle of her life in a English village. Hard to find (very, very out of print) but just thought I'd mention it just in case you wanted to look for it after the three months. (I could use that challenge, but I would go into deep, deep library withdrawal...)
This is a terrific opening and really gets me excited about the TBR Double Dare!
ReplyDeleteI keep forgetting how close we are to the end of the year!
I'll be reading from home too (with most likely a huge shopping spree on December 31st). Plus I think I'm going to get bookshelves for Christmas so imagine what I'm going to find when I organize! I really do want to read this book, and I think I have it...somewhere. (Ironic because that is what the story is about.) Hey shouldn't we be seeing some snow on that banner soon?
ReplyDeleteWell, I do love the book Howard's End, and I understand how the author can find books that she meant to read.. Sounds like fun.
ReplyDeleteHere's Mine
Sometimes it is best to concentrate on your TBR.
ReplyDeleteThat first paragraph makes me want to pull out all my books and look at them closely. Great lead in to your next three months. Good luck JoAnn. I look forward to following your progress.
ReplyDeleteI've been pondering my end of the year reading for a couple of weeks now. Then, when you have a blog, you have to also consider what your last review will be.
ReplyDeleteI am reading The Language of Flowers right now but hope to get that new King book read and reviewed by the end of the year.
As many of us can relate! I have every intention of "reading from home" but just am too weak! ;o)
ReplyDeleteMine is here.
I actually have myself convinced that if I buy up lots of books while the CDN dollar is strong I can sit back and read from my treasure trove when things are bleak. Stop laughing....
ReplyDeleteI'll be cheering you on from the sidelines, JoAnn, and all the best!
Oh, wow -- great opening, great sentiment. I have to find this book now -- and look in to reading more of the books I do own!
ReplyDeleteKaye - Thanks, I am!
ReplyDeleteJackie - This book is making me even more excited to tackle my shelves!
Amy - Truly, a perfect lead-in.
Diane - I think most of us can identify with those opening sentences.
Lisa May - If this book lead you to blogging, then we are all lucky you decided to read it! I have a feeling it will add quite a few books to my list, too.
Audrey - It's been on my metaphorical landing for nearly a year, too! Can't wait to look up The Magic Apple Tree. Hill is the author of my favorite ghost story, too - The Woman in Black.
Amy - I think we'll have fun discovering the treasures on our own shelves... bring on the dare!
Sandy - Wouldn't it be funny if you discover this book while organizing your shelves? As for a new banner, I'm almost afraid to mention it, but we have had almost no snow yet. Last year we had over 70 inches at this time and were on the way to a record-breaking month! I'm not complaining...
ReplyDeletePaulita - I love Howards End, too, and may just have to reread it in honor of this book!
Nana Fredua-Ageyman - Last year the highlights of the TBR Dare were Eudora Welty and Richard Yates. Can't wait to see what this year brings.
Margot - Thanks, I know I'll have fun with the TBR Double Dare.
Ti - I wonder if 'regular readers' ever consider this stuff ;-)
Nise' - LOL! We'll see if I can make it the whole time.
Darlene - How could you hear me laughing from there?? Love your logic ;-)
Audra - Head on over to James' blog... we'd love to have you join us for the double dare!
I loved all of that...makes me want to add that book to my shelves!!
ReplyDeleteThis fits me to a T! Awesome first chapter!
ReplyDeleteoh yes, I would most definately keep reading. I may just have to book mark this post so I remember to read it next year. Thanks for stopping by today.
ReplyDeleteStaci - It is a good book, plus shortish chapters/essays are good for this time of year.
ReplyDeleteDCMetroreader - LOL, so many of us can identify with that opening!
Kaye - Lots of musings and meanderings as she wanders through her bookshelves.... I'm enjoying it.