Every Tuesday, fellow blogger Bibliophile By the Sea hosts First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where bloggers share the first paragraph of the book they are currently reading or thinking about reading soon.
I first saw Dollbaby on the LibraryReads July Releases List and, when I looked it up, Goodreads described it as “a novel of Southern eccentricity and secrets”. I was sold! Dollbaby will be released on Thursday (July 3, 2014) and you can pre-order it at the link below.
Affiliate Link: Pre-Order from Amazon
Plot Summary from Amazon
When Ibby Bell’s father dies unexpectedly in the summer of 1964, her mother unceremoniously deposits Ibby with her eccentric grandmother Fannie and throws in her father’s urn for good measure. Fannie’s New Orleans house is like no place Ibby has ever been—and Fannie, who has a tendency to end up in the local asylum—is like no one she has ever met. Fortunately, Fannie’s black cook, Queenie, and her smart-mouthed daughter, Dollbaby, take it upon themselves to initiate Ibby into the ways of the South, both its grand traditions and its darkest secrets.
For Fannie’s own family history is fraught with tragedy, hidden behind the closed rooms in her ornate Uptown mansion. It will take Ibby’s arrival to begin to unlock the mysteries there. And it will take Queenie and Dollbaby’s hard-won wisdom to show Ibby that family can sometimes be found in the least expected places.
Here is the first paragraph:
1964
There are times you wish you could change things, take things back, pretend they never existed. This was one of those times, Ibby Bell was thinking as she fell back against the car seat and stared bug-eyed out the car window. Amid the double-galleried homes and brightly painted cottages on Prytania Street, there was one house that didn’t belong.
What do you think? Would you keep reading? Stay tuned for my full review…
I love the sound of this and will be adding it to my list of future reads, thanks Sarah
I really like that opening. Can’t wait to hear what you think!
I like how two of the biggest characters in this book are PoC! Especially considering it’s set in the South! I’d definitely keep reading, I really want to know what’s going to happen! Thanks for sharing 🙂 Hope you have a great week!
My Intro & Teaser
Juli @ Universe in Words
I read this one a few weeks ago and loved it. One of my best reads of the year so far. Hope you enjoy it too.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
I have this one bookmarked. You had me at “The 60s” and “New Orleans,” so I definitely want to read more.
Thanks for sharing…and for visiting my blog.
Definitely like the sound of this. I would keep reading. I hope you enjoy it.
Wow, I have heard of this but didn’t pay attention to what it was about. Sounds like a great read for summer: the Deep South, the past, and quirky characters. Thanks!
I love the writing in the first paragraph. I already am hooked and want to read on. Thanks for sharing!
Sounds like a good one. New title to me.
yes, I’d read on, that opening paragraph certainly grabbed my attention. Enjoy your book. kelley—the road goes ever ever on
Southern mysteries are among the most intriguing. I’d read on.
Harvee
Book Dilettante
Sounds like a good old family history, enjoy, I would read on as well.
Peggy @ The Pegster Reads
Just saw this on the Okra pick list.
I have this book in e-galley, and I’m looking forward to it!! The author is coming to my indie bookstore July 17, can’t wait to meet her. Thanks for the tease…hope you enjoy.
This is one of those books I’d have to keep reading, maybe a few more pages before deciding whether to read on.
I’m intrigued by the opener. I hope you’re enjoying it. Here’s mine
http://www.lovebitesandsilk.co.uk/2014/07/teasertuesday-opening-paragraph-kairos.html