First Lines Friday!

So I usually post on Thursdays, but I keep reading and loving the first line Friday posts from Lisa’s Books Gems and Tarot (which is hosted by Wandering Words) so I’ve decided to take part! I’m sure you’ll forgive me for not posting on a Thursday!

What if, instead of judging a book by its cover or its author, we judged the book by its opening lines?

Here is how it works:

– Pick a book and open to the first page.

– Copy the first few lines without revealing which book it is.

– Reveal the book!

So… do these first lines entice you?

Nobody knew what made the three of them from Iona Crescent up and walk out of the world. The rumours were different, depending on who you spoke to. Accident, attack – nobody could say for sure, except for Mae Frost and her brother, Rossa. They were there when it all happened, but they were sworn to silence in the way so many survivors of horror are: their tongues held by something beyond their control. Mae wasn’t sure she’d ever be able to say any of it out loud, even if she was asked. That second summer, away up in the hinterlands where the suburbs kissed the mountains, had stolen the words from her. The language that matched her confession was lost.

Scroll down to reveal the book!

Other Words for Smoke by Sarah Maria Griffin

I am so excited to read another book from this author, I adored how she made me feel in Spare and Found Parts and the concept of this book sounds amazing!! Have you read this? Tell me what you thought!

A New Favourite Author

The way I came about this book was unexpected. I went to a book signing in Waterstones for Victoria Schwab and Sarah Maria Griffin was there also as they both have the same publisher in the UK. I decided to buy Spare and Found Parts and get it signed while I was there, as it sounded like a cool concept for a book, and honestly, Sarah seemed awesome.

I am so so glad I picked this up! This book is absolutely gorgeous, with beautiful writing that will draw you into the world and amazingly developed characters with great story arcs. We follow Nel who is an inventors daughter in a post-dystopian world. She’s lonely, with few people who she can relate to, so she decides that she’s going to build a boy.

The development of Nel as a person is so amazing to watch as well as the plotline being gripping and I ended up tweeting Sarah angrily with one of the plot points! It’s such an amazing book!! Ugh just pick up this beauty, it’s amazing! And I’m so excited to get to Other Words for Smoke sometime soon!!!!

Too Bloody Busy

So… I did read books in March. I read 4 books, but I honestly have not had the time to write reviews for them. Not even little ones (apart from one… but that was sent promotionally sooo)

Yeah basically my life is a mess rn, I had two presentations in 7 days which both were marked and counted for part of my masters and one presentation also had a poster with it which required modelling of lava flows and I had maaannyy late nights. Luckily my assignment that was due tomorrow has been pushed back by a month cause of Brexit mucking everything up royally, meaning I can actually take a few days to breath, relax and maybe even try and read.

But onto the books I read, no pretty pictures this month:

• First Among Sequels by Jasper Fforde. I listened to this on audiobook and these books are always so much fun! I’ll be sad when I reach the end of this series
• Spare and Found Parts by Sarah Maria Griffin. I’m so happy that I’ve finally read this beautiful work of literature, I 100% recommend if you’re a human being
• The Devouring Gray by Christine Lynn Herman. Another book I recommend if you’re a human, actually have a full review of this one so check it out here!
• The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom. Last book of the month, enjoyable and a quick read. Glad I picked it up.

 

I’m not making any concrete plans for April, but I am attempting the magical readathon and trying to do my O.W.L.’s so fingers crossed for that. I also have loads of assignments due at the end of April but maybe if I manage to keep track of my time I can be less stressed and keep on top of things? (That’ll never happen but I can still dream!!)

Thank you for putting up with me while I’ve been so MIA everywhere. The books I review will be less frequently posted soon as I run out of my backlogged reviews, but I promise to keep trying to post things. I just need to prioritise my masters’ rn. If you’ve got any questions about anything please do ask in the comments!