9.06.2020

it's national read a book day: let's play the page 56 game

 

In honour of National Read A Book Day, grab the book you are currently reading or the last book you read. 

Open to page 56, and find the sixth sentence on the page. 

Type the line in comments, plus the title and author of the book.

I'll start:

-- What?

Roddy Doyle, Love (2020)

When we last played this game on wmtc in 2008, we had one of the longest threads ever on this blog... now wiped out. I continue to hope. Perhaps foolishly, but I can't live with the thought of thousands of comments being lost.

24 comments:

JoshuaDRandall said...

Howard Zinn, A people's history of the United States.
"Negroes were forbidden to carry any arms, while whites finishing their servitude would get muskets, along with corn and cash."

laura k said...

Howard Zinn, A people's history of the United States.

Yay!

David Cho said...

"It was brilliant, windless morning in June 1842"

North And South by John Jakes.

allan said...

I am currently reading several books.

"They renamed me Bonk, after the video-game character whose only weapon was his insanely large head, which made a rhythmic "Bonk. Bonk. Bonk." as he attacked his enemies."
Ibram X. Kendi, How To Be An Antiracist (2019)

"The Trumps settled for hosting a reception in new York after the couple returned from their honeymoon."
Mary L. Trump, Too Much And Never Enough: How My Family Created The World's Most Dangerous Man (2020)

"Novak said, "Let's not talk about my little problems; alongside yours they're probably trivial.""
E. Howard Hunt, House Dick (1961)

Lisa N said...

He launched into an answer easily, glad to hear his own voice instead of her snapping and bangle-clattering and teeping; it was curious how he only heard the annoying little sound when she was talking.

The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula LeGuin.

laura k said...

The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula LeGuin.

I've always wanted to read this.

Beth G said...

"The hookers rented the rooms by the hour"

Five Little Indians by Michelle Good

Beth Guthrie said...

The hookers rented the rooms by the hour.
Five Little Indians by Michelle Good

aim_for_peace said...

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. “His eyes darted off screen, then back to the camera as he drummed his fingers on the desk, his face expressionless” This sentence could be from so many books...

mkk said...

The jawless, almost wormlike Pacific lampreys that swim upriver in spring to breed in small tributaries are directly descended from the ostracoderms, the first fish -- in fact, the first true vertebrates.

The Klamath Knot, by David Rains Wallace

(This is not the type of book I usually choose to read; it is for my book club, through the Land Steward Program of Oregon State University.)

Amy said...

I really enjoyed two of Colm Toibin's books, Brooklyn and Nora Webster.

Amy said...

Her reaction to prairie fires, wolves, and Indians was matter-of-fact yet tinged with awe, reminiscent of others’ encounters with near death on the open prairie. The first Christmas Laura could remember

Fraser, Caroline. Prairie Fires (p. 56). Henry Holt and Co.. Kindle Edition.

(I can't be sure this is the sixth sentence in the printed edition since page breaks aren't clear on Kindle. AND I am FINALLY almost done with the book.... Thanks so much for the recommendation. Although I admit to skimming most of the sections on Rose, I really enjoyed the rest of the book!)

Amy said...

That first comment about Tolbin should have been on your reading list post---obviously!

laura k said...

I really enjoyed two of Colm Toibin's books, Brooklyn and Nora Webster.

This comment snuck over from a different post. :)

I saw the movie Brooklyn, liked it very much, then was kicking myself when I realized it was an adaptation of Colm Toibin's novel. I always try always to read the book first -- although these days it's often impossible.

The book-to-movie cycle has gotten so short. If the book is not something I especially want to read, I don't mind seeing a movie and never reading the book. But if I want to do both, I want to start with the movie -- of course, like most readers.

Another exception: older books where I've seen the movie, and then much later am interested in the books. Examples: Patricia Highsmith, Raymond Chandler or Dashiell Hammett, other noir, hard-boiled detective novels.

Jim said...

Until 1983.

Power Ball. Rob Neyer.

Funny, all the sentences before were lengthy, including one of 61 words. Then this.

laura k said...

(This is not the type of book I usually choose to read; it is for my book club, through the Land Steward Program of Oregon State University.)

How about a bonus book then? Last book you chose to read, or next book you will read?

Funny aside: I heard the first few words in my mind -- "The jawless, almost wormlike Pacific lampreys" -- with the tone and pacing of a novel, then realized it was nonfiction and heard it completely differently. :)

Amy said...

Fortunately I read Brooklyn before I saw the movie. I have to say that they did a great job of bringing the book to screen, but I am still glad I read the book first. It's lyrically written.

laura k said...

That's great to hear. Fortunately (?) I remember only the outline of the plot, nothing too specific. The silver lining of having a crappy memory.

mkk said...

Take 2:

"I can't calm my body."

The Choice: Embrace the Impossible, by Dr. Edith Eva Eger

laura k said...

The Choice: Embrace the Impossible, by Dr. Edith Eva Eger

This has also been on my to-read list! I'm very curious about it. The line you quoted is (perhaps in a different context, I don't know) incredibly relevant to me right now, re uncontrolled urticaria.

wallythe24 said...

But the water wheel is the biggest atrocity.

John Henry Days by Colson Whitehead.

laura k said...

John Henry Days by Colson Whitehead.

Yay!

deang said...

I'm late to this, but this is fun, so: "This is because, apart from the primary ash fall, the valley, for a long time afterwards, had been receiving more ash carried into it by monsoon rains, streams, and the Jurreru River." From Early Indians by Tony Joseph.

laura k said...

Not so late... interesting book!