Apr 16, 2013

The Mermaid of Brooklyn by Amy Shearn

Teaser Tuesdays is hosted by MizB; choose sentences from your current read and identify author and title for readers. First Chapter, First Paragraph is hosted by Bibliophile by the Sea. Opening sentences in a book can help readers decide if the book is one they would continue reading. 


Before I died the first time, my husband left me broke and alone with our two tiny children and it made me feel very depressed, etc. It's the same old story: He went to buy cigarettes and never came home. Really. Wouldn't you think you'd want to pack a bag or two, leave a forwarding address? Couldn't he have at least taken the dog? These were the things I wondered in the beginning. Not: was he having an affair, or: was he mixed up in something nefarious, but: I can't believe he wouldn't bring his datebook, his favorite loafers; I can't believe he didn't change the light bulb in the hallway before deserting us. He knew I couldn't reach that light bulb. The whole thing was unlike him. Then again, I was the one who died, which was unlike me, too.
"SOMETIMES ALL YOU NEED IN LIFE IS A FABULOUS PAIR OF SHOES—AND A LITTLE HELP FROM A MERMAID. Formerly a magazine editor, Jenny Lipkin is raising two children in a cramped Park Slope walk-up. When her husband, Harry, vanishes one evening, Jenny reaches her breaking point and a split-second decision changes her life. Pulled from the brink by an unexpected ally, Jenny rethinks her ideas about success, motherhood, romance, and relationships." (publisher)

Title: The Mermaid of Brooklyn: A Novel by Amy Shearn
Paperback published April 2, 2013; Touchstone
Genre: women's fiction

Would you keep reading, based on the first chapter, first paragraph? 

15 comments:

  1. What a great story this will be! Not unusual in its basic facts, but the narrator's voice draws me in.

    Here's MY TUESDAY MEMES POST

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  2. I've been seeing this around a lot lately... I'd keep reading.

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  3. Yes, based on the narrator's voice, I probably would keep reading. Not 100% sold, but I'd give it a try.

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  4. I'd keep reading because I like the character who is speaking. Come see my teasers for Sharp by Alex Hughes and The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd. Happy reading!

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  5. I like the intro enough to keep on reading.

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  6. Very interesting opening...I'd keep reading.

    Here's my Tuesday post: http://www.bookclublibrarian.com/2013/04/first-chapter-first-paragraph-9-and.html

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  7. Oh yes, I definitely want to keep reading this one. Thanks! I'd not heard of it before.

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  8. Sounds like the start of a very promising story.

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  9. well I was captured at the cover, but the opening paragraphs were terrific. I'd keep reading. kelley—the road goes ever ever on

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  10. I want to read this one, and that opening paragraph already has me hooked. Plus I love magical realism when it's done well, and I think that this book sounds like it has a lot of promise. Keep reading, and tell us all about it!!

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  11. This one sounds intriguing!

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  12. I love that intro!!! I would keep reading for sure. I want this one. ENjoy

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  13. Great teaser, sounds like an interesting read! Here's my TT post.

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  14. I thought that the introduction was kind of interesting. I say kind of only because it is a little cliched. It kind of sounds like a lot of stories I have heard before as does the attitude and tone. I think that I am in the middle on this one.

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I appreciate your comments and thoughts...

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