I'm starting this week with a collection of short stories, and so that doesn't make it particularly easy to share my 'First Chapter, First Paragraph', however last week I missed out on taking part in this linky that I love due to being busy with Bout of Books fun, and so I was determined to make my return and take part this week.
So, cheating ever so slightly, I'm sharing with you the first paragraph of a short story within the collection. I'm currently reading A Snow Garden & Other Stories by Rachel Joyce, and from the collection I'm sharing the start of the title story: A Snow Garden.
FIRST LINES
The boys kept asking if there would be snow at the new flat. 'Yes,' he told them. It began as a joke but then it got serious. 'Yes, Yes, YES!' 'I don't know why you keep promising there will be snow,' his sister said when she rang. 'It only happens in films and that bloody advert.' 'Because it's what everyone wants,' Henry told her. 'They want snow. It's traditional. It makes Christmas - you know.'
As the extract shows, this collection of short stories does surround Christmas and the winter season, and although I'm a little late on the Christmas front, I knew I wanted to delve into this collection of stories whilst winter is still very much here, as I know I wouldn't be able to wait until next Christmas to read this book.
FIRST LINES
The boys kept asking if there would be snow at the new flat. 'Yes,' he told them. It began as a joke but then it got serious. 'Yes, Yes, YES!' 'I don't know why you keep promising there will be snow,' his sister said when she rang. 'It only happens in films and that bloody advert.' 'Because it's what everyone wants,' Henry told her. 'They want snow. It's traditional. It makes Christmas - you know.'
As the extract shows, this collection of short stories does surround Christmas and the winter season, and although I'm a little late on the Christmas front, I knew I wanted to delve into this collection of stories whilst winter is still very much here, as I know I wouldn't be able to wait until next Christmas to read this book.
WOULD YOU CONTINUE READING?
I think it sounds like a good one. I don't read many short story collections, but occasionally. Hope you enjoy this one!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteInteresting dialogue. Thanks for sharing, and enjoy! Here's mine: “THE MARRIAGE LIE”
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI always like snow on Christmas as well.
ReplyDeleteI would love snow at Christmas... However here in the UK, 'it only happens in films and that bloody advert' is pretty apt!
DeleteI love short stories so I would definitely keep reading. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI just admitted today on my blog that I kind of hate novellas...I don't know if short stories grouped together like this would fit in the same category. The writing doesn't particularly speak to me, but the dialogue is a selling point.
ReplyDeletehttps://girlof1000wonders.wordpress.com/2017/01/10/tuesday-teaser-intro-somebody-like-you/
Hmm... Interesting. I think with both novellas and short stories, a lot of people don't enjoy them as there isn't a richness or depth to them like there is a novel. I've really gotten into short stories lately, but I do have to be in the mood for them.
DeleteI enjoy short stories, and this sounds like a good collection. I can imagine the boys asking if there's going to be snow, and the mom answering, "Yes, Yes, YES." Good dialogue. I'd keep reading to find out if the boys got their wish!
ReplyDeleteMy Tuesday post features MOONRISE.
I agree; I like the dialogue also. Happy reading!
DeleteOh good, I'm not the only one with Christmas books still on my nightstand! I finished up a bunch recently, but there are a few more I'm on the fence about -- some I own and others from the library. I probably won't read them all, but like you, there are some I really don't want to wait all the way until next Christmas for :)
ReplyDeleteYou're definitely not the only one, Christine - I think they're still appropriate to read anyway, given that we are still in winter. And it's just so long away until next Christmas! Happy reading!
DeleteI'd like to know more about this collection. The first story, at any rate, is quite intriguing. Here's my link to the teaser and intro to Leopard at the Door: http://wp.me/p4DMf0-1rl
ReplyDeleteSurprisingly, given that A Snow Garden is the title story, it actually isn't the first story within the book.
DeleteI love your thinking regarding reading the Christmas stories now... Great opener and full of the magic of Christmas.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely full of Christmas magic!
DeleteI like this opener! I am determined to read more short stories this year, so I may add this collection.
ReplyDeleteI've really gotten into short story collections over the past year or so - I hope you're able to read more this year!
DeleteEnjoy! I actually rarely read short stories
ReplyDeleteI was the same until last year. Happy reading!
DeleteSounds good. I'd keep reading. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Happy reading!
DeleteI love short stories and this one grabbed me right at the beginning. I want to read on.
ReplyDeleteThis opener definitely holds your attention.
Delete