It’s time for another, First Chapter, First Paragraph Tuesday Intros. Thank you to Vicki, from I’d Rather Be at the Beach, who hosts this meme. Also Vicki is looking for someone to take over this meme which has been going strong for years. Anyway, as a reminder this is your chance to post a bit from a book that you are reading or planning to read.

“Jamie Brandt was not a bad mother. Later she would tell that to anyone who would listen: police, reporters, lawyers, her parents, her boyfriend, her dealer, the new bartender with the knuckle tattoos at Schultz’s, the investigator from California and her partner, and her own reflection in the bathroom mirror, right before racking her forehead on the sink’s edge and passing out from the cocktail of pain, grief, and fear.

She was not a bad mother, even though she’d yelled at them that morning. It was Saturday, finally, and Jamie was embarrassed to say sometimes she liked the weekdays more, the predictable rhythm of her aunt Maggie’s real estate office where she was the receptionist, the chance to drink coffee and read Us magazine online, thinking of the girls in school, which they actually liked for the most part.”

Two Girls Down by Louisa Luna

I’ve been hearing quite a bit about this author as she has a new book out but I wanted to start with the first one. So far this is a great read. The main character, Alice Vega, is one tough private investigator. I am really enjoying her character and can’t wait to find out more about her backstory.

What do you think, would you give this book a try?

What a busy weekend and I still feel like I haven’t caught up on things around the house since we were out traveling last weekend. Anyway, I hope all of you are having a wonderful day even if the news around the world aren’t that positive. While we typically don’t participate in the SXSW event I do feel bad for the small business owners who look to this event for a boost to their income. Anyway, stay healthy everyone!

Let’s move on to what I’ve been up to around here. We went to another classical guitar show yesterday and it was amazing. I love the music that David Russell treated us to and if I closed my eyes I felt like I was being transported to another time and place. Just lovely.

Tonight we tried a strawberry-oat smoothie recipe from Edible Austin magazine and I have to say it was a winner. We’ll definitely be making more of these especially once the summer arrives.

On the book front, I finished reading Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman and everyone was right, the book was wonderful. It made me laugh and cry. Have you read it yet? If not, make sure you add it to your list immediately!

So that’s a bit about what I’ve been up to around here. I hope you have a great start of the week!