Welcome to another Tuesday celebrating bookish events, from Tuesday/First Chapter/Intros, hosted by Bibliophile by the Sea; and Teaser Tuesdays hosted by A Daily Rhythm.
Today’s featured book is a fairly new one I downloaded: Apron Strings, by Mary Morony.
Intro: (Sallee)
Change; not even the quarter, nickel, or dime type was appreciated in our house. I don’t remember ever seeing a spare coin atop a table or amid the dross in the back hall drawer where everything that didn’t have a place ended up. No jar sequestered on a corner of a bureau collected dust and pennies. The thin dimes the tooth fairy brought, once discovered and delighted over, were promptly deposited in our sterling silver piggy banks; each with initials engraved in script. It was as if change didn’t exist. I wonder if coins in a pocket would have been eschewed if they had been called anything else.
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Teaser: I crept back into the kitchen to the back door. I clicked open the beaded, silver catch of the purse and peered inside. There was a single dollar bill folded over three times and a black change purse that had long lost its luster. (p. 6)
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Blurb: When a grown-up tells you not to worry, you had better start—first rule of thumb, Sallee Mackey, age seven. She is already more than a little bit wary of the adults in her Jim Crow era, Southern world with good reason. Sallee’s mother Ginny is flat out dangerous; her father Joe is on his way out the door; and Mr. Dabney the bigoted neighbor seems to be just a little too interested with the goings on at Sallee’s house—like he knows something no one else does. The only adult to be trusted is Ethel, the family maid, who has known Sallee’s mother since Ethel and Ginny were both girls.
That complicated relationship started the day Ethel spied Ginny kissing the black stable boy years ago. While Ginny has conveniently forgotten that she even knew Ethel back then, Sallee has not as she constantly lobs questions at Ethel about her mother’s girlhood.
From Sallee’s oft times humorous and always guileless vantage, grownups have a most mixed up view of the world. What does skin color have to do with learning? Closing schools rather than have black and white children in the same classroom, what’s the sense of that?Ethel gives her very own biased account of her shared history with Ginny while Sallee hones her vigilance and stealth, skills she and her brother and two sisters have acquired in an attempt to understand the drama that swirls around them. Rocks are thrown through windows, a car filled with angry white men shout racial slurs at the children at play and a tragic poisoning threatens the entire family’s sense of security.
When Joe Mackey asks Ethel to testify on his behalf in a custody suit, her conflicted loyalties throw the entire family into even more turmoil.
Sounds like a fascinating glimpse into the past. I think I’d enjoy this story.
My Tuesday post features Nobody’s Cuter Than You.
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I hope I do, too, Sandra…the issues are appealing to me…now I hope the story is too!
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I like how the author painted the setting. I’d like to read more.
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Thanks, Margot, I am intrigued by the descriptions of “change” and wondering if there is more to the use of the word. Thanks for stopping by.
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This sounds really interesting, a slice of history that will hopefully prove to be a satisfying read. Thanks for sharing 🙂 Here is my Tuesday post https://cleopatralovesbooks.wordpress.com/2015/05/26/first-chapter-first-paragraph-may-26/
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Thanks, Cleopatra, I hope so, too. Glad you could stop by!
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I’m not sure. Something in the writing bothers. I’m probably too picky. Hope you enjoy it.
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Thanks, Suzie, and I don’t know anything about the author, so it will be a journey. Glad you could stop by.
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The writing style doesn’t grab me, but I would certainly try a few more pages before deciding. Hope you enjoy it Laurel.
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Yes, I don’t know why it appealed to me, but I hope to find it worthwhile. Thanks for stopping by (and hosting), Diane.
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Yes, I think I’d continue. I like the question about what skin color has to do with learning? What indeed.
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Definitely! That issue is probably what drew me to the book…hope it brings satisfaction! Thanks for visiting, Kay.
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I’d give this one a little more time…would like to see where it’s going. Cute cover, too.
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Me, too, JoAnn…I was drawn to the segregation issues….and hope to find there is depth. Thanks for visiting.
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Oh something a bit different for you here, Laurel. Hmm, I like the blurb better than the beginning, but it does make me curious for what’s to come ahead. I like stories told in the Jim Crow era, though sometimes they are hard to take. This one sounds like it might not be too heavy, enjoy!
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Thanks, Rita, and I hope I enjoy it.
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It sounds like a great start. Girl Who Reads
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Thanks, Donna, enjoy your read!
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I am interested. I would read on. As I take a second look at the cover, I maybe get the connection to the title and the story line. Thanks for sharing this one.
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Thanks, Judy, it’s definitely an unusual cover, isn’t it?
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I would definitely keep reading. Sounds like a book that would keep your attention.
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Thanks, Vicki, and I hope it will be.
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I haven’t heard of this one, but it sounds like something I would enjoy reading. I’m adding it to my list. Thanks!
Today I’m featuring The Last Original Wife by Dorothea Benton Frank.
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Thanks, Kim, and I loved the book you are featuring.
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I’m not sure this one’s for me, but hope you enjoy it!
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I’m not even sure about it, Sarah….LOL. Thanks for stopping by!
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The intro did not immediately grab me. The blurb give more information but I would need to read a bit more to decide. Look forward to your thoughts.
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I am thinking the same thing…hope this book works out! LOL Thanks for stopping by, Nise.
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This sounds absolutely interesting! Books from childrens’ point of view can be utterly amazing, if well written. And these teasers do suggest there is some great writing here. I love the beginning, which is really about a different kind of change, and the blurb made me really interested to dip into this time period! Great choice! Thanks for sharing 🙂 I hope you have a great week and that I see you at ABEA!
My Tuesday post
Juli @ Universe in Words
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Thanks, Juli, and I hope you have fun at BEA. I live on the other side of the country…sigh. But I do hope to enjoy this book.
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This looks really good.
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Thanks, Yvonne, glad you could stop by.
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