Welcome to another Bookish Friday, in which I share excerpts from books…and connect 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 a great way to spend a Friday!
Today’s feature is a recent download: The Perfect Nanny, by Leila Slimani. “She has the keys to their apartment. She knows everything. She has embedded herself so deeply in their lives that it now seems impossible to remove her.”
Book Beginning: The baby is dead. It took only a few seconds. The doctor said he didn’t suffer. The broken body, surrounded by toys, was put inside a gray bag, which they zipped shut.
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Friday 56: Everyone in Paul and Myriam’s inner circle ends up knowing about Louise. Some of them have seen her in the neighborhood or in the apartment. Others have only heard about the feats of this legendary nanny, who seems to have sprung straight from the pages of a children’s book.
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Synopsis: When Myriam decides to return to work as a lawyer after having children, she and her husband look for the perfect nanny for their son and daughter. They never dreamed they would find Louise: a quiet, polite, devoted woman who sings to the children, cleans the family’s chic Paris apartment, stays late without complaint, and hosts enviable kiddie parties. But as the couple and the nanny become more dependent on one another, jealousy, resentment, and suspicions mount, shattering the idyllic tableau. Building tension with every page, The Perfect Nanny is a compulsive, riveting, bravely observed exploration of power, class, race, domesticity, motherhood, and madness—and the American debut of an immensely talented writer.
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What do you think? Do you want to keep reading?
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Well, the blurb makes me want to read it, but the dead baby in the first line is pretty disturbing. I hope it isn’t what it sounds like.
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Thanks, Roberta, I didn’t like the dead baby reference, either…but I am eager to keep reading this one.
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HI!
I’d definitely love this one!! Thanks for sharing. I will look out for it. 🙂
Here’s my choice: http://bit.ly/2FHVPqf
Have a great weekend!
Luv Sass x
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Thanks, Sassy, I do like a little bit of creepy….and after the last one I read, with so much violence (My Absolute Darling), I’m looking forward to it.
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Hope you enjoyed it! (Yep catching up lol) I love CREEPY too! I can tell you do… we like a lot of similar books 🙂
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What a sad opening…. my gosh, a broken baby. I bet it’s an intense read though. Happy weekend!
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Thanks, Freda, I expect an emotionally challenging read that will keep me turning pages.
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Oh this sounds so creepy. I’m not sure I could handle this one based off the beginning. I’m a bit chicken when it comes to anything involving children.
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Thanks, Katherine, and yes, stories with children are definitely a risk for my emotional well-being…but I like the sound of this one and the “subtle creepiness.”
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What a beginning! I’ve seen this book around and now I’m tempted to read it. This week I am spotlighting The Broken Girls by Simone St. James. Happy reading!
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Thanks, Kathy, and I hope to finish it quickly today…enjoy your pick, which is one I’ve been eyeing.
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Based only on the opening, I wouldn’t read this book. However, if I could get past that, the synopsis makes it sound like an intriguing story. I’ll watch for your review to see what you think of the story.
My Friday post features Before We Were Yours.
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Thanks for stopping by, Sandy, and I don’t especially like the opening, but I’ll keep going. I loved your pick for today!
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I have a feeling that I found this book via your blog. Thank you!
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Oooh, an evil Mary Poppins. I’m adding to the TBR right now.
Here is a link to my Friday 56: https://coffeeandcatsblog.wordpress.com/2018/03/16/friday-56-60/comment-page-1/#comment-1836
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Thanks, Loreen…I do love stories about less than perfect nannies….and I have watched The Hand That Rocks the Cradle several times. LOL
Enjoy your pick!
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Yes, I’d keep reading. That sounds like a page turner!
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Thanks, Kathy, I hope to love it!
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I do want to read this one–hope to borrow a copy from a friend soon.
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Thanks, Catherine; I hope to love it! Enjoy!
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This is definitely a different read, I hope you like it.
http://justmeandmyblogreviews.blogspot.com/2018/03/the-friday-56_16.html
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Thanks, Joann, I hope so too!
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This has me very intrigued. Thanks for sharing! Hope you have an awesome weekend! 🙂
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Thanks, Ashley, I hope you enjoy your weekend, too.
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Sad beginning, but it sounds like an interesting book.
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Definitely! Thanks for stopping by, Yvonne, and enjoy your weekend.
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Oooh This sounds very intriguing and creepy, too! Definitely one I’d love to read! Thanks for sharing, putting this on my TBR list.
Jo-Ann
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I think so, too, Jo-Ann….looking forward to it! Enjoy!
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Oh no, there’s that word ‘perfect’ again. Have a lovely weekend!
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Thanks for visiting, Alicia, and I think that the word “perfect” is probably the scariest word around…lol
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Nooo, why am I afraid and compelled to read this at the same time? Haha. Great excerpts!
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Thanks for visiting, Cara, and I often feel afraid, but have to keep reading.
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It sounds creepy but good.
The cover is enticing too.
Thanks for sharing, Laurel.
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Thanks, Elizabeth…I think it sounds creepy, and let’s hope it is good! I’ve had it with unlovable books…lol
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There are some unlovable books out there. 🙂
I hope it is good too.
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I know people who have read this book a loved it too. Enjoy!!
Ronnie @ Paradise Found
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Thanks, Ronnie, I keep hearing good things, too.
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Don’t know what to say. Feel very badly about the baby. Also, it seems very weird for a person to place themselves in the center of another person’s life. For what reason? To destroy all their feelings of safety and security? I am sure it’s easy to turn the pages to find out what’s going on.
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Yes, I think the story will keep me engaged, Marce, although I am sure the nanny will scare me before the end!
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Can’t say I was expecting that beginning! Happy reading!
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Thanks for visiting, Lauren, and I wasn’t expecting that either!
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