It’s time for another, First Chapter, First Paragraph Tuesday Intros. Thank you to Yvonne, from Socrates’ Book Reviews who has started hosting this meme. As a reminder this is your chance to post a bit from a book that you are reading or planning to read. My entry comes from a book I started reading this weekend.
“Dylan was six hours old when I noticed a mark behind his left ear the size of a thumbprint. I lay on one side, watching him, my free arm curled protectively across his body. I watched his perfect lips quiver a breath, and I traced my gaze across his cheeks and round the whorls of ears still too new to have found their shape. And then I saw a thumbprint the color of milky tea, and I smiled because here was something totally new and yet completely familiar. He’s got your birthmark.
From a bit further down the page…
“There’s a low keening from somewhere on the ward; an accompanying murmur from a parent up as late as I am. I hear the squeak of rubber shoes in the corridor, and the bible of the water cooler releasing a dose, before the shoes take it back to the ward. I rest a hand gently on Dylan’s forehead, and stroke it upwards. His hair growing back in fair wisps, like when he was a baby, and I wonder if it’ll still be curly. I wonder if it’ll turn brown again, like it did when he hit two. I trace a finger down his nose, careful not to touchtone narrow tube that snakes into one nostril and into his stomach.”
After The End by Clare Mackintosh
I first discovered this author a couple of years ago and have since read two of her books, I See You and I Let You Go, which were really good suspense reads. This one on the other hand, is a family story about what happens to a couple when their child is diagnosed with cancer.
What do you think, would you give this book a try?
I’m feeling sad as I read the excerpt, remembering the book, which I loved. Thanks for sharing and reminding me of the story with these snippets.
Here’s mine: ”REDHEAD BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD”
I’ve been meaning to try this one although the intro might be a bit sad for right now. I hope it’s a good read for you Iliana.
I loved this book. It was not at all what I expected, but it was so much more. So different from her previous books, but so beautifully handled.
I’ve been wanting to try this author for awhile. Her books always sound so good.
Ooh sounds very different to her previous books,. I must read it! Thanks for bringing this to my attention!
I haven’t read her thrillers, but this one sounds intriguing. Thanks for sharing the passages.
I enjoy Clare Mackintosh’s books and this book is different from her others. It was a sad read but as always, her writing is stellar.
Those quotes are super beautiful. I’m going to have to check out her other books. I can’t read about kids with cancer so I’ll pass on this but from the comments, sounds like this is a well worth read. I’ll look forward to your review, should you write one.
It sounds like it might be really sad.