Welcome to another Tuesday celebrating bookish events, from Tuesday/First Chapter/Intros, hosted by Bibliophile by the Sea; and Teaser Tuesdays hosted by Should Be Reading.
Today’s feature is an ARC from Amazon Vine: Five Days Left, by Julie Lawson Timmer.
Intro: (Mara)
Mara had chosen the method long ago: pills, vodka and carbon monoxide. A “garage cocktail,” she called it. The name sounded almost elegant, and sometimes, when she said it out loud, she could make herself believe it wasn’t horrifying.
It would still be horrific for Tom, though, and she hated herself for that. She would rather do it without leaving a body for him. But as much as she’d love to spare him from being the one to discover her, she knew not letting him find her would be worse. And at least this was the tidiest option. He could have someone come and take her car away. Fill her side of the garage with something else, to block the image. Bikes, maybe. Gardening supplies.A second car for himself. Maybe she should arrange to have one delivered after. Would that be too weird, though? A gift from your dead wife. She should have given him one years ago. For their anniversary, or to celebrate bringing baby Lakshmi home. Or just because. She should have done so many things.
***
Teaser: (Mara)
She clicked the “post field” button at the bottom of the screen and waited to see her message pop up as a new comment. When it did, she read what she had posted and frowned. A line or two about “positive thoughts” was so inadequate. (p. 27).
***
Blurb: Destined to be a book club favorite, a heart-wrenching debut about two people who must decide how much they’re willing to sacrifice for love.
Mara Nichols is a successful lawyer, devoted wife, and adoptive mother who has received a life-shattering diagnosis. Scott Coffman, a middle school teacher, has been fostering an eight-year-old boy while the boy’s mother serves a jail sentence. Scott and Mara both have five days left until they must say good-bye to the ones they love the most.Through their stories, Julie Lawson Timmer explores the individual limits of human endurance and the power of relationships, and shows that sometimes loving someone means holding on, and sometimes it means letting go.
SERENDIPITY 
Yes, I’ve had this feeling when I post comments sometimes! I sympathize with this character.
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Definitely! Thanks for stopping by, Sonia, and enjoy whatever you are reading.
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Oh this sounds heart-rending but so good – I do hope you are enjoying(?) your read. Here is my TT for the week http://cleopatralovesbooks.wordpress.com/2014/11/04/teaser-tuesday-november-4/
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I will probably be starting it tomorrow….and I do suspect it will require tissues. Thanks for stopping by, Cleopatra.
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This sounds very emotional but in a cathartic way. The voice really sucks me in.
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I think so, too, Suzie…thanks for stopping by!
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Oh wow, you are in for an emotional ride. It’s a good story though. Keep reading.
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Thanks, Diane….I thought I might have seen it on your blog. I almost didn’t see it on Vine until Patty pointed it out to me.
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Sounds really emotional — I’d have to read a little more before I could be sure it’d be a book for me.
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Yes, that makes sense, Beth…glad you could stop by!
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I read an ARC of this one I got from Penguin First To Read! Loved it! Hope you do, too!
Today I’m featuring Sing In The Morning, Cry At Night by Barbara J. Taylor.
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Isn’t it great that we can read these books in advance of publication? Years ago I would never have imagined the opportunity. Thanks for visiting, Kim.
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This sounds really intense. I’m not sure it’s for me, but I hope that you enjoy it!
I’m talking about Laura Lamont’s Life in Pictures today:
http://monicasbookishlife.blogspot.com/2014/11/first-chapter-first-paragraph-tuesday.html
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I have to be in the right mood for stories like this one; thanks for stopping by, Monica.
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Sounds like my kind of read. Need to move this one up closer to the top of the pile.
Thanks for sharing.
My Tuesday post: http://www.bookclublibrarian.com/2014/11/first-chapter-first-paragraph-81-and.html
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Ah, yes, the pile! Definitely a nice visual image for me! Thanks for stopping by, Catherine, and enjoy!
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I loved this one, Mara’s story especially!
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Thanks for stopping by, Donna, and I’m definitely eager to jump into this one.
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I hope by the teaser that she didn’t follow through on the garage cocktail in the intro. Sounds like a good story though.
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Ah, yes, I gather she didn’t go through with it…but I’m eager to find out what happens. Thanks for stopping by, Freda.
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I’ve been curious about this book and would definitely keep reading. Enjoy!
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Thanks for stopping by, Pat, and yes, I have been seeing it everywhere, so I am intrigued.
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I hope this book ends in a satisfying conclusion. Sounds like it could be sad. I’ve always admired people who act as foster parents. Such a wonderful thing to do for a child, but it must be difficult too when you have to let the child go.
My Tuesday post features a Navajo mystery by Tony Hillerman: THE BLESSING WAY.
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Thanks for stopping by, Sandra, and I am prepared for the sadness. Enjoy your read!
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Sounds like a gut-wrencher, but a good one.
Mine this week is from Two Graves by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child at http://wp.me/pZnGI-fo
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Thanks for visiting, Madame Vauquer….I have heard good things about this book.
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This one sounds intense… and thought provoking too. Life can change so quickly… sounds like this one explores that.
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Definitely! Thanks for stopping by, Greg.
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I don’t think I could handle anything like this at present so definitely a no from me.
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In the right frame of mind, I can do it. Thanks for visiting, Cat.
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I like the sound of the beginning, it really shows how heart-breaking this book is probably going to be. And then in combination with the teaser you just get the idea that Mara is a little bit lost in what she has to do! I’m definitely intrigued about what will happen in those five days. Thanks for stopping by 🙂 Have a good week!
Juli @ Universe in Words
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Me, too, Juli, and I hope I will make it through!
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I am curious about this one. I think I remember reading the intro last week and thinking what a gut wrenching read this sounds like.
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I agree, Wendy…it will be difficult to get through it, but I do like this kind of story.
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I’ve heard great things about this book, but haven’t had a chance to read it yet. I’m worried it will be a bit too sad.
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Yes, definitely sad, but hopefully inspirational. Thanks for stopping by, Sarah.
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That sounds so sad, but I would have to read on to find out what happens. I’ve had depression before and even the occasional suicidal thought. Her thoughts sound so familiar, and I know positive thoughts can be so inadequate sometimes. i can really empathize with her. When will the book be published?
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It was published in September. Thanks for stopping by, Kim, and the themes of depression and suicide are definitely hard to read about.
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I’ve been wanting to read this one since I first saw it featured. Look forward to your thoughts.
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Thanks, Nise, looking forward to the read. Glad you could stop by.
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Sounds like an intense read.
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I am sure it will be, Mary Ann.
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that sounds a little horrific! Have a nice week. kelley—the road goes ever ever on
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I think so, too, Kelley…here’s hoping it is a manageable kind of “horrific.”
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Sounds like a push me pull me story line. I’m on the fence about this one. It sounds dark.
Here’s my TT – http://fuonlyknew.com/2014/11/04/teaser-tuesdays-88-real-elves-an-emily-castle-mystery/
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I will brace myself for what will come, Laura. Thanks for stopping by.
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Intriguing and with the recent headlines..this sounds like a good book club read.
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I think it would be a good book for discussions. Thanks for visiting, Kimba.
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I didn’t hear about this one before, but I definitely want to read it. Your teaser grabbed me right away.
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Thanks, Yvonne; I am looking forward to this one.
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Oh, I don’t know about this one. The intro makes me think it’s a high Kleenex read. I’ll wait to see what you think.
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Yes, I suspect it will be, Margot…thanks for stopping by.
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This is quite the dramatic one.
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Totally! Thanks for stopping by, Alice Audrey.
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