Friday! Friday! Friday! Three cheers for the upcoming weekend! But before we get there, how about discovering some great reads to distract you from those annoying weekend chores? 😉
As always, I’m sharing a line from a book I think my readers will be interested in. However, I’m stepping out of my norm, this week and sharing a nonfiction book with you. This week’s line is from Victorian Fashions & Costumes From Harper’s Bazaar 1867-1898 which is a book I’ve been referencing a lot for my current work in progress.
Again stepping away from my norm, instead of sharing the first line from this book, I am choosing to share the one which most intrigued me because it is the first line of a chapter entitled, “Bustles and Puffs 1867-1874”:
Sometimes fashions take their direction from practical needs.
Isn’t that a surprising start to such a chapter? I know I certainly never associated bustles or puffs with “practical needs.” So of course, I had to read on and discover why the author would choose to begin such a subject with a sentence such as this.
I am admittedly not a very fashion-minded person. I tend to try to choose things for myself which are more classic or timeless so that I don’t have to run out and purchase something new when my current wardrobe becomes embarrassingly outdated. Therefore learning all the ins and outs of the fashion terms and trends of the past is probably my most dreaded part of the historical research I must do. I admit, I would much rather read the diary of an oregon trail pioneer or even the history of a local historical building, than essays on the whys and wherefores of fashion history. BUT this book has made the task far less painful and even a bit enjoyable. Thus, bearing in mind that many of my fellow historical romance readers and writers differ greatly from me in their enjoyment of this topic, I present this book to you as a source of painless knowledge and possibly even entertainment. 😉
Now it’s your turn! Grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first (or your favorite) line!
Then head on over and share your first line with these friends:
Andi @ Radiant Light
Carrie @ Reading Is My Super Power
Rachel @ Bookworm Mama
Sydney @ Singing Librarian Books
Robin @ Robin’s Nest
Katie @ Fiction Aficionado
Bree @ Bibliophile Reviews
Beth @ Faithfully Bookish
Amanda @ With A Joyful Noise
Jessica @ A Baker’s Perspective
Trisha @ The Joy of Reading
Jeanette @ C Jane Read
Molly @ Molly’s Cafinated-Reads
Heather @ Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen
Sarah @ All the Book Blog Names are Taken
Lauraine @ Lauraine’s Notes
I love Victorian costumes, especially in paintings. Looks like a fun read!
Here’s my first line:
Garvin Poole slipped out of bed, got his lighter off the fireplace mantel, and walked in his underwear through the dark house to the kitchen, where he took a joint out of a sugar jar, then continued to the garden door. ~Golden Prey by John Sandford
Dinh @ Arlene’s Book Club
That’s a lengthy first line, but very visual. Thanks for sharing!
Interesting!
Here’s my first line.
A shiver rippled across Juanita Hoyt’s shoulders, an involuntary spasm induced by the cold metal encircling her wrists.
Signs of Life by Valerie Banfield
WOW! Now that is a line to keep you reading! Thanks for sharing!
Now I want to know what the practical needs were! I’m not terribly fashion conscious personally, but I do love historical fashions. Perhaps if we still dressed like that I would be more inclined to fashion consciousness!
I have the first line from Erynn Newman’s debut release ‘Out of Darkness’ on my blog, but here I’m going to share the first line from Johnnie Alexander’s latest release, ‘What Hope Remembers’:
“The June sun beat on Gabe Kendall’s bare head and tapped into his childhood memories of the horse farm.”
Happy Friday!
I know what you mean. On the other hand, I am incredibly grateful not to deal with all those layers! I don’t even like wearing a long sleeve t-shirt under a coat! Good thing I live in the temperate San Diego area where the weather accommodates to my preferences. 🙂
Such an interesting choice of words in that first line. It easily could have created a different feel just by substituting “beat” with “warmed” and “tapped into” with “brought to mind” or something similar. Instead the author chose some rather forceful words. Makes me curious to read on. Thanks for sharing!
Happy Friday! My first line is: “My heart beat as if it was trying to build up speed and erupt from my chest.” From Warfare:Life After Book 2 by Julie Hall. Coming out June 13th.
LOL I like that first line. Funny and suspenseful options there depending on what comes next. Thanks for sharing!
That looks like SUCH a great, resourceful book!!! I have a thing for research books. 😉 And I completely agree with your sentiments.
It has been very helpful. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
My first line is from TURTLES IN THE ROAD, a humorous romance from mother/daughter duo Rhonda Rhea and Kaley Rhea. The book arrived yesterday, and I didn’t get to crack it open until 1:00 AM…but I just HAD to start it before bed! The first chapter is hilarious…and Piper is my new BF! — “Normally a nice long solo drive had a calming effect on Piper.”
Well I just LOVE humorous romance and any book you anticipate that much is definitely worth checking out. Thank you for the recommendation!
ETA: Just read the blurb and bought it immediately! Now to find the time to read it! LOL Thanks again!
This looks like a wonderful book! As most know, the Victorian era is my favorite…I remember when I was in England, I got to visit a few museums that contained wardrobes from the past. It was so interesting to see how men and women dressed through the centuries. 🙂
How wonderful that you got to visit England. I would love to visit an entire museum of women’s Victorian clothing and accessories, wouldn’t you? Thanks for stopping by!
I love Victorian clothing!
It’s a Regency weekend for me. Today I’ve started reading Carrie Turansky’s Edwardian Brides series.
October 1911
Berkshire, England
Julia Foster lifted her gaze to the clear October sky as a lark swooped past.
The Governess of Highland Hall
HAPPY FRIDAY and HAPPY READING!
Sounds like a very serene start. Thanks for sharing!
A very interesting line! Happy Friday and Happy Reading!
Thanks for stopping by!
That’s so interesting! Happy Friday.
Here’s mine: Jody Hedlund’s For Love & Honor: “You have one month to pay the debt,” Captain Foxe stated, his tone as rigid as the plate armor he wore.
Uh oh. Sounds like trouble. Thanks for sharing!
This is the book I have just started to read; Mrs. Odboddy: Undercover Courier. By Elaine Faber ” Lighting flashed and thunder rattled the windows of Wilkey’s Market where Agnes pushed a little metal cart through the crowded aisle.”
But I do have another great mystery up today on the blog!
Mrs. Odboddy. Ha! What a great name! Thanks for sharing!
I am not fashion minded at all, at least not in this era lol. I could see me rocking those victorians though!
LOL I like the idea of dressing up in them for fun. So long as I can change back into my maxi skirts, jeans, or yoga pants whenever I want to. 😉 Definitely born in the right era. Thanks for stopping by!
Thank you to everyone who stopped by and shared today. Sadly, I and my kids are unwell so I haven’t the time to reply right now. I will try to read and respond as soon as I can but it may take some time. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
I’m so glad I got to join this! It’s so fun! This is a good FLF!! Thanks for sharing it!
A belated welcome to the FLF group! Thanks for stopping by!
Sounds like a great resource book! I thought I’d share something different here than the book featured on my blog today. This book is one my son is reading.
“Betsey Maxwell wearily trailed behind Loren as her brother dodged the muddy puddles, horse manure, and piles of crates in the narrow London street.”
– The Thieves of Tyburn Square by: Dave & Neta Jackson
The Trailblazer Books – Bethany House Publisher 1995
Ooooh. Trailblazer Books are great. Thanks for sharing!