Booklist 2010
Books I read this year, the first line when I start reading it and the last line when I finish. Sometimes the first & last lines are missing and this is because I didn't have the book to hand when I edited this entry or the book was borrowed and I have given it back without filling this in.
( inspired by el_staplador)
TitleAuthorFirst LineLast Line1Then We Came To The EndJoshua FerrisWe were fractious and overpaid.Just the two of us, you and me.2The Piano TunerDaniel MasonIn the fleeting seconds of final memory the images that will become Burma are the sun and a woman's parasol.Now only the sun and the parasol remain.3A Case of Exploding MangoesMohammed HanifYou might have see me on TV after the crash.This is in Arabic and I can't find a translation for it, sorry.3.5The Count of Monte CristoAlexandre DumasOn February 24, 1815, the lookout at Nore-Dame de la Garde signalled the arrival of the three-master Pharaon, coming from Smyrna, Trieste and Naples."Darling," replied Valentine, "has not the count just told us that all human wisdom is summed up in two words? - 'Wait and hope.'"4I Play Drums In A Band Called okayToby Litt"Wouldn't the coolest thing now to be Japanese, eh?"And that's cool.5Death in the Truffle WoodPierre Magnan"Come on Roseline! Just one more? Dig me up another one!"Alyre was as happy as a king.6Sense & SensibilityJane AustenThe family of Dashwood had long been settled in Sussex.Between Barton and Delaford, there was that constant communication which strong family affection would naturally dictate; and among the merits and the happiness of Elinor and Marianne, let it not be ranked as the least considerable, that though sisters, and living almost within sight of each other, they could live without disagreement between themselves, or producing coolness between their husbands.7Harry Potter and the Philosopher's StoneJ. K. RowlingMr and Mrs Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were pround to say that they were completely normal, thank you very much."I'm going to have a lot of fun with Dudley this summer..."8Harry Potter and the Chamber of SecretsJ. K. RowlingNot for the first time, an argument had broken out over breakfast at number four, Privet Drive.And together they walked back through the gateway to the Muggle world.9Harry Potter and the Prisoner of AzkabanJ. K. RowlingHarry Potter was a highly unusual boy in many ways.And grinning broadly at the look of horror on Uncle Vernon's face, Harry set off towards the station exit, Hedwig rattling along in front of him, for what looked like a much better summer than the last.10Harry Potter and the Goblet of FireJ. K. RowlingThe villagers of Little Hangleton still called it 'the Riddle House', even though it had been many years since the Riddle family had lived there.As Hagrid had said, what would come, would come ... and he would have to meet it when it did.11Harry Potter and the Order of the PhoenixJ. K. RowlingThe hottest day of the summer so far was drawing to a close and a drowsy silence lay over the large, square houses of Privet Drive.Instead, he smiled, raised a hand in farewell, turned around and led the way out of the station towards the sunlit street, with Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia and Dudley hurrying along in his wake.12Harry Potter and the Half-Blood PrinceJ. K. RowlingIt was nearing midnight and the Prime Minister was sitting alone in his office, reading a long memo that was slipping through his brain without leaving the slightest trace of meaning behind.His hand closed automatically around the fake Horcrux, but in spite of everything, in spite of the dark and twisting path he saw stretching ahead for himself, in spite of the final meeting with Voldemort he knew must come, whether in a month, in a year, or in ten, he felt his heart lift at the thought that there was still one last golden day of peace left to enjoy with Ron and Hermione.13Harry Potter and the Deathly HallowsJ. K. RowlingThe two men appeared out of nowhere, a few yards apart in the narrow, moonlit lane.All was well.14TBCRussell Smith (elektrobard)This book is, as yet, unpublished, so I will not tell you the first line.Or the last line. (Not yet finished)15The IslandVictoria HislopA cold wind whipped through the narrow streets of Plaka and the chill of the autumnal air encircled the woman, paralysing her body and mind with a numbness that almost blocked her sense but could do nothing to alleviate her grief.Arms entwined, they looked back across the pitch-black water until, gradually, the lights of Crete faded into the distance.16Other Peoples ChildrenJoanna Trollope17Birthday StoriesSelected and Introduced by Haruki MurakamiThis is a book of short stories.With the theme of 'birthdays', surprisingly enough.18Nobody's ChildJohn Robinson with Brenda Sloggett19Somebody's ChildJohn Robinson with Jan Greenough19.5UmbrellaJoy Phillips (jkatjovi)This book is, as yet, unpublished, so I will not tell you the first line.Or the last line.20MooJane SmileyFrom the outside it was clear that the building known generally as 'Old Meats' had eased under the hegemony of the horticulture department.The breeze lifted Beth's hair, the eldest picked up Amy without any prompting, the two boys stopped fidgeting, fragrance from the blossoming apple trees rolled over him, and a very well cared for old Saab eased down the alley and past the couple, whose eyes were closed, and who, Garcia thought, seemed to be lost in an astonishing, and even legendary, kiss.21Wolf HallHilary Mantel'So now get up.'
( inspired by el_staplador)
TitleAuthorFirst LineLast Line1Then We Came To The EndJoshua FerrisWe were fractious and overpaid.Just the two of us, you and me.2The Piano TunerDaniel MasonIn the fleeting seconds of final memory the images that will become Burma are the sun and a woman's parasol.Now only the sun and the parasol remain.3A Case of Exploding MangoesMohammed HanifYou might have see me on TV after the crash.This is in Arabic and I can't find a translation for it, sorry.3.5The Count of Monte CristoAlexandre DumasOn February 24, 1815, the lookout at Nore-Dame de la Garde signalled the arrival of the three-master Pharaon, coming from Smyrna, Trieste and Naples."Darling," replied Valentine, "has not the count just told us that all human wisdom is summed up in two words? - 'Wait and hope.'"4I Play Drums In A Band Called okayToby Litt"Wouldn't the coolest thing now to be Japanese, eh?"And that's cool.5Death in the Truffle WoodPierre Magnan"Come on Roseline! Just one more? Dig me up another one!"Alyre was as happy as a king.6Sense & SensibilityJane AustenThe family of Dashwood had long been settled in Sussex.Between Barton and Delaford, there was that constant communication which strong family affection would naturally dictate; and among the merits and the happiness of Elinor and Marianne, let it not be ranked as the least considerable, that though sisters, and living almost within sight of each other, they could live without disagreement between themselves, or producing coolness between their husbands.7Harry Potter and the Philosopher's StoneJ. K. RowlingMr and Mrs Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were pround to say that they were completely normal, thank you very much."I'm going to have a lot of fun with Dudley this summer..."8Harry Potter and the Chamber of SecretsJ. K. RowlingNot for the first time, an argument had broken out over breakfast at number four, Privet Drive.And together they walked back through the gateway to the Muggle world.9Harry Potter and the Prisoner of AzkabanJ. K. RowlingHarry Potter was a highly unusual boy in many ways.And grinning broadly at the look of horror on Uncle Vernon's face, Harry set off towards the station exit, Hedwig rattling along in front of him, for what looked like a much better summer than the last.10Harry Potter and the Goblet of FireJ. K. RowlingThe villagers of Little Hangleton still called it 'the Riddle House', even though it had been many years since the Riddle family had lived there.As Hagrid had said, what would come, would come ... and he would have to meet it when it did.11Harry Potter and the Order of the PhoenixJ. K. RowlingThe hottest day of the summer so far was drawing to a close and a drowsy silence lay over the large, square houses of Privet Drive.Instead, he smiled, raised a hand in farewell, turned around and led the way out of the station towards the sunlit street, with Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia and Dudley hurrying along in his wake.12Harry Potter and the Half-Blood PrinceJ. K. RowlingIt was nearing midnight and the Prime Minister was sitting alone in his office, reading a long memo that was slipping through his brain without leaving the slightest trace of meaning behind.His hand closed automatically around the fake Horcrux, but in spite of everything, in spite of the dark and twisting path he saw stretching ahead for himself, in spite of the final meeting with Voldemort he knew must come, whether in a month, in a year, or in ten, he felt his heart lift at the thought that there was still one last golden day of peace left to enjoy with Ron and Hermione.13Harry Potter and the Deathly HallowsJ. K. RowlingThe two men appeared out of nowhere, a few yards apart in the narrow, moonlit lane.All was well.14TBCRussell Smith (elektrobard)This book is, as yet, unpublished, so I will not tell you the first line.Or the last line. (Not yet finished)15The IslandVictoria HislopA cold wind whipped through the narrow streets of Plaka and the chill of the autumnal air encircled the woman, paralysing her body and mind with a numbness that almost blocked her sense but could do nothing to alleviate her grief.Arms entwined, they looked back across the pitch-black water until, gradually, the lights of Crete faded into the distance.16Other Peoples ChildrenJoanna Trollope17Birthday StoriesSelected and Introduced by Haruki MurakamiThis is a book of short stories.With the theme of 'birthdays', surprisingly enough.18Nobody's ChildJohn Robinson with Brenda Sloggett19Somebody's ChildJohn Robinson with Jan Greenough19.5UmbrellaJoy Phillips (jkatjovi)This book is, as yet, unpublished, so I will not tell you the first line.Or the last line.20MooJane SmileyFrom the outside it was clear that the building known generally as 'Old Meats' had eased under the hegemony of the horticulture department.The breeze lifted Beth's hair, the eldest picked up Amy without any prompting, the two boys stopped fidgeting, fragrance from the blossoming apple trees rolled over him, and a very well cared for old Saab eased down the alley and past the couple, whose eyes were closed, and who, Garcia thought, seemed to be lost in an astonishing, and even legendary, kiss.21Wolf HallHilary Mantel'So now get up.'