Welcome to another Bookish Friday, in which I enjoy sharing excerpts from books…and connecting with other bloggers, who do the same.
Let’s begin the celebration by sharing Book Beginnings, hosted by Rose City Reader; and let’s showcase The Friday 56 with Freda’s Voice.
To join in, just grab a book and share the opening lines…along with any thoughts you wish to give us; then turn to page 56 and excerpt anything on the page.
Then give us the title of the book, so others can add it to their lists!
What better way to spend a Friday!
Today’s feature is an e-book I recently downloaded because it seemed like a great nod to summer, and even though summer is almost over, I can still feel it in the air. The Girls of August, by Anne Rivers Siddons, is a story about four women and the rituals that kept them together…for a while.
Beginning: Of all the fifteen summerhouses, the first one was the best. That’s what we all agreed on, for a while, anyway…until we grew wiser, more measured in our joy, more careful with the doling out of praise. Funny, we rarely agreed unanimously on anything, but for years there had been no doubt about the Colleton house. At first glance it had seemed designed—brick, board, and shingle—for the girls of August.
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56: (Madison) Barbara hung on to the counter and said, “Woooo. I think I’ve had too much bubbly.”
“Listen!” I said, happiness coursing through me like a sparrow on the wing. “I think Teddy told me he loved me!”
Rachel took a drag and blew the smoke in a roiling stream, angling it so that it missed her eyes. “Really?”
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Blurb: Every August, four women would gather together to spend a week at the beach, renting a new house each year. The ritual began when they were in their twenties and their husbands were in medical school, and became a mainstay of every summer thereafter. Their only criteria was oceanfront and isolation, their only desire to strengthen their far-flung friendships. They called themselves the Girls of August. But when one of the Girls dies tragically, the group slowly drifts apart and their vacations together are brought to a halt. Years later, a new marriage reunites them and they decide to come together once again on a remote barrier island off the South Carolina coast. There, far from civilization, the women make startling discoveries that will change them in ways they never expected.
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What do you think? Have you read this one? Do the excerpts captivate you? Come on by and share your thoughts.
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Sounds like a great beach read… (not at all what they were angling for with that title:-)
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I think it will be, Brooke….even though I won’t be reading it at the beach…sigh. Thanks for stopping by.
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Sounds like a great story of friendship. I think it would resonate in me.
I added you to the Linky! Happy weekend!
Freda’s Voice
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I think so, too, Freda…thanks for stopping by, for hosting, and for adding me to the Linky!
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I want to go back in time and have another August this year. Think it is possible? Will reading this book help me?
My Friday Quotes
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Good question, Anne…I would like more August, too, as my son and DIL would still be here! Sigh. Thanks for stopping by.
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Ooh this sounds exactly my cup of tea! Definitely going on my TBR.
Cora @ Tea Party Princess
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Thanks, Cora, I am eager to start reading it!
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This sounds like it will be a good book to read, adding it to my every growing list.
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Thanks, Linda, and yes, our lists do grow every time we have these events!
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This sounds like a great summer read – I’ll have to get a copy. Here’s my My Book Beginnings and Friday 56
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Thanks, Maria, and I totally agree! Glad you could stop by.
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Intriguing plot! Would love to see how the girls each dealt with the tragedy.
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I am also looking forward to it, Harvee…thanks for stopping by.
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This has just reminded me of how much the weather has started to change to fall…
Check out my Friday 56 (With Book Beginnings).
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I love Fall, Lauren, but I couldn’t resist adding a final summer book to my list.
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I’ve read and enjoyed other books by this author, and this sounds like another good one. LOVE the beach-y setting!
Thank you for visiting my blog.
Sandy @ TEXAS TWANG
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Oh, so have I, Sandra….can’t wait to see what happens in this one!
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I’ve never read a book by this author, but I like the sound of this one. Have a wonderful weekend!
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Oh, you are in for a treat, Monica…thanks for stopping by.
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Sounds like a really good read.
Thanks for sharing and stopping at my blog earlier.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My Book Beginnings
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Thanks for returning the visit, Elizabeth…enjoy your weekend!
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This book sounds really good too. 🙂 Thanks for commenting on my blog earlier.
Hayley (https://rathertoofondofbooks.wordpress.com)
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I think it will be, Hayley…thanks for stopping by.
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Enjoy the read…I’ve been using a similar strategy lately…trying to keep summer alive by reading books set during the season. Thanks for visiting my blog.
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Thanks, Catherine…and while I love Fall more than summer, I like the IDEA of summer, with lazy, hazy days and all…and beaches.
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I like the sound of this book. Happy Weekend!
My Friday: Marie @ Pages to Explore
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Me, too, Marie…thanks for stopping by!
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Sounds intriguing. I am spotlighting The White Rose by Amy Ewing this week. Happy reading!
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Thanks, Kathy, glad you could stop by.
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I’ve only read one book by ARS, by I liked it. I don’t know why I haven’t picked up more. I like the idea of an entire month at a beach house. When I was a kid we did 2 weeks every summer and chose a different house to rent each time. Sounds like that’s what happens in this one.
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I love the idea of a beach house, too. What we did instead was rent the same cottages every summer in Santa Cruz. I loved the boardwalk and eating seafood every night. Thanks for stopping by, Elizabeth, and your summers sound wonderful.
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I love books exploring the complexities of friendship. Hope you have a lovely weekend!
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So do I, Alicia, and enjoy your weekend too!
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I really like the sound of this book. 🙂
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Thanks, Breana, me too! Enjoy your weekend….
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I spotted this on Amazon earlier this week and grabbed it too. The cover art and title called to me and I liked the premise. Hope you are liking it!
Here’s my 56 – http://fuonlyknew.com/2015/10/02/love-the-snark-the-friday-56-80-brooklyn-bones/
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I love a good beach read…perhaps it makes up for the fact that I haven’t been to the beach once this year! Or even last year. I should go now…it isn’t too late.
Thanks for stopping by, Laura, let’s hope we enjoy it.
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Oh, this sounds so good. I’ve been wanting to read this author for a long time. Great 56!
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Thanks, Yvonne, and I love this author…she is one of my favorite “beachy” and Southern authors. Enjoy! Glad you could stop by.
I missed General Hospital today…interrupted by the President’s lengthy speech…LOL. I’m trying to find it on the Internet.
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Another one I like the sound of and I read many of this authors books some years back. For some reason she fell off my radar…
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It’s been a long time since I read one of her books, too, Cleopatra. Thanks for stopping by.
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