First-Line Friday #46
First-Line Fridays

First-Line Friday #46

Nicole Santana

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Welcome to this week’s edition of #FirstLineFridays! This week, in honor of fathers everywhere, our theme is fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and/or mentors.

Happy Father’s Day to dads of all kinds!

The Lovely Bones

by: Alice Sebold

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About the Book

My name was Salmon, like the fish; first name Susie.

The Lovely Bones is one of the best books that has ever been written, in my humble opinion. I teach this novel to my Honors 9 English students, and it is typically a favorite and most memorable of the books they read all year.

I will let you know upfront that this book deals with a terrible, horrendous murder of a teenage girl in the 1970s, but that is NOT the focus of the story. This book is about a family dealing with grief. It is about a father — an amazing father — so grieved by the loss of his child that he becomes like Captain Ahab searching for his white whale. It is about siblings who have to deal with and grow up after a beloved sister has been taken from them. It is about a mother in great mourning. It is about how families can become stronger after grief.

Interesting side note, The Lovely Bones was written when Sebold was a young woman in college. Something excruciatingly awful happened to her after a class one night when she was walking back to her dorm room. This book was her way of dealing and healing after her traumatic experience.

I know that this is not the typical book I showcase on Fridays, but it definitely adheres to this week’s theme — fathers. Jack Salmon is one of the most loyal and loving fathers I’ve seen in literature. He is like an Atticus Finch. Of all the characters in this book, Jack is my favorite. He embodies what a father should be — a provider who loves, cares, laughs, and tries so hard to protect. After he loses his child, he does become manic. I can’t imagine losing my child and I’m pretty sure I would be a wreck just like Jack. But, Jack does pull it together for his family in the end, and I think that is what matters most. When he needs to be the strongest for his family, he becomes the man they need.

NOW IT IS YOUR TURN! GRAB THE BOOK YOU ARE CURRENTLY READING, OPEN TO CHAPTER ONE, AND POST THE FIRST SENTENCE (OR SECOND SENTENCE) IN THE COMMENTS BELOW. THEN HEAD ON OVER TO HOARDING BOOKS TO SEE ALL OF THE FLF PAGES THIS WEEK (JUST CLICK ON THE FLF BUTTON BELOW).

First Line Fridays hosted by Hoarding Books

Published by Nicole Santana

I love Jesus, my husband, and my daughter. I love reading and reviewing Christian and Clean fiction. And, I am a high school English teacher trying to get kids to fall in love with reading every day!

42 thoughts on “First-Line Friday #46”

  1. I’ve always looked at The Lovely Bones, then read the description, then put it back on the shelf as something I should read but don’t want to (I haven’t read To Kill a Mockingbird for pretty much the same reason). I know I should, but …

    Today on my blog I’m sharing from Enchanting Nicholette by Dawn Crandall, which is part of the Timeless Love collection. I’ll share the first line from another story in the collection here, Teach Me to Love by Kari Trumbo:

    “It wasn’t right to pray he would just die.”

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I completely understand reading the back of a book, thinking I need to read it, but then putting it back on the shelf. It happens! When I read, I want it to be reading I choose. I chafe a lot at the books I’m “supposed” to read. Thank you so much for sharing. I hope you have a great weekend. 😊

      Like

  2. A quotation starts Nora Roberts’ book SHELTER IN PLACE: “No acquisitions of guilt can compensate the loss of that solid inward comfort of mind, which is the sure companion of innocence and virtue; nor can in the least balance the evil of that horror and anxiety which, in their room, guilt introduces into our bosoms.”-Henry Fielding

    Liked by 1 person

  5. “Tonight is the night. She could feel it”
    Head in the Clouds by Karen Witemeyer, I am really enjoying this book, my first of hers–Have to admit that I chose it because it was the only large print available at our library by her, and it turns out to have been a great choice! Can’t wait to see how the sheepmen and cowmen can be friends…we have both and seem to get along!

    Liked by 1 person

  6. My first line this week is from Tricia Goyer’s A Daring Escape. I don’t have a bonus line to share, this week because I borrowed it from my local library and had to take it back yesterday. So, you’ll just have to stop by my blog to see the first line! Have a wonderful weekend! ❤

    Liked by 1 person

  7. I’ve been wanting to read this for awhile now and after reading your thoughts on it, I want to read it even more. It looks like a great read!

    My first line is from Laura Ingall Wilder’s, “Little House on the Prairie”. I’m still currently reading “Just Let Go” so I don’t have an actual first line to share today that isn’t from the blog. 😀

    Happy reading!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I love Little House on the Prairie. It’s so good. I still have my set from when I was 9. I plan to give them to my daughter when she is old enough to read them.

      Hope you are having a great weekend!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. That’s awesome! I need to buy a set for my shelf and then to share it with my daughter if I ever get married and have kids. LOL.

        Liked by 1 person

  8. Happy Friday!

    February 1909

    Isabella Grayson’s shoes sank into the plush red carpet of Broadlands’ south hall, and she released a soft sigh. Across the Blue by Carrie Turansky

    Liked by 1 person

  9. My first line is from Deadly Proof by Rachel Dylan:
    “You can’t call that settlement an offer.”

    Wasn’t The Lovely Bones made into a movie?
    Thanks, Nicole.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks for sharing, Paula!

      Yes, it was made into a movie. The book is 1000% times better. The movie is ok, but it doesn’t focus on things like the book does.

      Hope your having a great weekend. Tell your husband I hope he has an excellent Father’s Day!

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Happy Friday!😎

    My First Line Friday comes from a book I will be reading soon, The Life Lucy Knew by Karma Brown.

    I have a complicated relationship with my memory. Most of us, me included, believe our memories are fairly accurate.

    Have a great weekend and happy reading!😊📚🌼

    Liked by 1 person

  11. The Lonely Bones sounds fascinating! The book I’m sharing this week on my blog is “Before the Apocalypse” by Taylor Jaxon. This is a Young Adult Christian Suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the end. Here, I will share the first line in Chapter Fourteen of that same book: “Sam extended his hand through the doorway of the ivy-covered mansion. An appendage the size of a catcher’s mitt engulfed his palm.” Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

    Liked by 1 person

  13. I read that book several years ago. It was one super emotional book!
    The book I’m sharing on my blog today is Cold Shot by Dani Pettrey but it’s also the book I’m currently reading so I’ll share the first line of my current chapter (12): “‘Do you think he followed you there?’ Parker asked, taking a bit of kung pao chicken.” Hope you have a great weekend! Happy Reading! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks for sharing, Becca. I haven’t yet read any Dani Pettrey books. I mean to at some point though. I hear she is really good! Hope you’re enjoying your book and your weekend.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I’m enjoying it so far! I’m in the middle of the first book but can’t start the 2nd until at least Monday b/c I’m waiting for it at the library. It’s the only book I’m missing and has said it’s “in transit” since Weds… It’s ok though b/c it’s already been a pretty busy weekend. We just got back from Kayaking for the first time in our new kayaks 🙂 Hope you have a great weekend too! 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Believe it or not if you’re in a deep creek or stream and the current isn’t very strong it doesn’t take that much physical exertion. I’m sooo out of shape but I do fine lol. I more need my husband to get them on and off the car b/c I can’t reach anything haha

        Liked by 1 person

  15. Caroline Marsh wiped the tears from her cheeks with the back of her hand and sat down on a bench outside, taking a moment to compose herself.
    KILLER COUNTRY REUNION
    By Jenna Night

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Happy Friday!

    Today’s first lines come from Finding Wicked by Kathryn L. James

    “The day started out like any other, but then I received an email from Cordelia Irwin, the human resources director, and it was tagged urgent.”

    Sounds ominous, doesn’t it!

    I’m featuring lines from Nina Lane’s The Secret Thief on my blog today. I hope you can stop by!

    Liked by 1 person

  17. I’m reading a novella today, The Treasured Book by Kathleen Fuller. Here are the first lines:

    “Lucy Fisher had never been so drenched in her entire life. Still, she managed a smile as her bus drove away.”

    Have a great weekend!

    Liked by 1 person

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