Actually, this week, I think I'm going to do a double feature, just because I can.
Up first is Mrs. Pollifax and the Second Thief by Dorothy Gilman. It's a reread for me, and the review is right here.
If you aren't familiar with Mrs. Pollifax, she's a grandmother and part time CIA agent.
The book begins with:
Mrs. Pollifax stood under a dripping umbrella and wondered why it so often rained at funerals.
Now I am cheating a bit for my 56 from this book. I'm actually going to page 53. But this exchange just so perfectly describes the series I had to use it.
"This sudden request to help you sounded so easy and uncomplicated," Kate said.
Mrs. Pollifax sighed. "They often sound like that - as I've discovered all too often myself."
Leaving that book behind, let's completely switch genres to middle grade fantasy with The Terror of the Southlands, the second Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates book by Caroline Carlson.
This book involves a young female pirate, magic, and lots of humor and adventure.
It's a bit tricky picking out the true first sentence since the book opens with a news report and a letter before we get to chapter one. However, I'm going with the first sentence of chapter one.
The Renegade arrived just after breakfast.
Between each chapter, there are excerpts from news stories, letters, or the memoir of the main character's gargoyle. And a selection from The Gargoyle: A History of a Hero is exactly what we find on page 56.
If you're not a magical creature, dear reader, you probably don't understand how unpleasant this is. Your heart feels funny, like it might explode without any warning, and your whole body starts to shake. Even worse, you're forced to protect rude, selfish people who don't seem to notice that your arms are crumbling to bits.
I finished this one just a couple of hours ago, and my review will be up on Sunday if all goes according to plan.
Meanwhile, don't forget to come back tomorrow and participate in Weekly TV Thoughts.
I like rereading books:) Your 56 has a ring of truth to it.The Terror of the Southlands sounds really fun. I like it when the book has littlt extras and such and enjoy an adventure. Looking forward to your reviews.
ReplyDeleteHere is my 56 - http://fuonlyknew.com/2014/09/26/the-friday-56-38-the-cinderella-theorem/
Thanks. Both books were fun reads.
DeleteMy sister, who got me hooked on cozies, was a huge Mrs. Pollifax fan. I'm going to have to try the first one.
ReplyDeleteYou haven't read Mrs. Pollifax yet? I'm jealous because they are such fun. I'd love to experience them again for the first time.
DeleteBoth books sound like fun reads. Mrs Pollifax is more for me. I love mystery and adventure and it sounds like it has both. I do like to switch it up once in a while and pirates have adventures of their own.
ReplyDeletesherry @ My Friday Memes
If I read too many of the same genre back to back, I get bored. Even in a genre I love. Switching it up is a great way to keep things interesting.
DeleteI used to love Mrs. Pollifax and Dorothy Gilman's books but I'd kind of forgotten about her with all the new books that I end up with. Thanks for featuring that one! I'm going to the library today and will have to pick up a few. The Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates sounds entertaining. I love middle grade adventure style books.
ReplyDeleteAnother Mrs. Pollifax fan! Enjoy spending time with her again. I know I did.
DeleteBoth books sound good, but Mrs. Pollifax is more my style. You're right -- the excerpt from Page 53 is perfect. I'll bet the author chuckled as she wrote that.
ReplyDeleteHere's the link to my Friday post: Coulda Been a Cowboy.
The author has had passages like that before in the books, and I smile every single time.
DeleteA granny agent... lol.. that alone grabs my attention.
ReplyDeleteThe second book looks fun too!
Happy weekend!
That grab my attention immediately as well with Mrs. Pollifax, and I'm glad it did because the series was such a delight.
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