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 better way to spend a Friday!
Today’s feature is the newest release from one of the authors I enjoy. Allison Winn Scotch’s In Twenty Years tells a story of splintered friendships and a reunion that could heal the wounds.
Beginning: (Prologue – 1998 – Late May- Bea)
Admittedly, it was an overly nostalgic idea. But, so what? If there were ever a time for nostalgia, it was tonight, our last night together at Penn, our last night under the same roof, our last night as a six-point star. Besides, if I didn’t insist on it, none of them would have been willing. Frankly, and this is the part that somersaulted my stomach, none of them would have even considered it, thought of it in the first place….
***
56: (Annie)
Breathe. This is what that therapist used to tell her, the one her OB-GYN insisted she see when she broke down on the exam table at her six-month postnatal appointment, her legs still aloft in the stirrups, the rest of her quaking so much the thin paper sheet beneath her shredded in two. Breathe. In. Out. In. Out.
***
Synopsis: Twenty years ago, six Penn students shared a house, naively certain that their friendships would endure—until the death of their ringleader and dear friend Bea splintered the group for good. Now, mostly estranged from one another, the remaining five reluctantly gather at that same house on the eve of what would have been Bea’s fortieth birthday.
But along with the return of the friends come old grudges, unrequited feelings, and buried secrets. Catherine, the CEO of a domestic empire, and Owen, a stay-at-home dad, were picture-perfect college sweethearts—but now teeter on the brink of disaster. Lindy, a well-known musician, is pushing middle age in an industry that’s all about youth and slowly self-destructing as she grapples with her own identity. Behind his smile, handsome plastic surgeon Colin harbors the heartbreaking truth about his own history with Bea. And Annie carefully curates her life on Instagram and Facebook, keeping up appearances so she doesn’t have to face the truth about her own empty reality.
Reunited in the place where so many dreams began, and bolstered by the hope of healing, each of them is forced to confront the past.
***
Reunions can be traumatic, with the past rearing its ugly head, forcing it to be confronted and reexamined. Would you keep reading this one?
***
I have this one from NetGalley. It will be the first book I’ve read written by this author!
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Oh, I noticed it on NetGalley after I had already pre-ordered this one. Hope you enjoy the author, Heather. Thanks for stopping by.
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I actually saw this book earlier today and added it to my TBR! I can’t wait to read it! Thanks for sharing.
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I am looking forward to it! Thanks for stopping by, Vanessa, and I hope you enjoy it, too.
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This sounds like my kind of book – those excerpts drew me in. Thanks for sharing.
Here’s my Friday read – Dear Amy by Helen Callaghan
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Thanks, Bev, and I hope you enjoy your pick today, too.
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Lately, I’ve enjoyed books that deal with relationships. So, In Twenty Years sounds like one I would enjoy.
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Thanks, Breana, and I, too, have to have relationship books mixed in with my thriller. Enjoy!
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AAAAH this is so funny!! My best friend for the past twenty years is coming to visit me for the weekend! I think I’ll read this yes. I’ve justed posted my Friday Meets – have a look and enjoy your weekend. http://marelithalkink.blogspot.co.za/2016/07/friday-meets-08-july-2016.html
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Thanks for stopping by, Mareli, and have fun with your friend reunion. I love those! Enjoy your time together…and your book.
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I hope you are enjoying this one. It sounds like it has lots of interesting relationships. Happy reading!
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Thanks, Kathy, I am eager to dive into this one. Glad you could stop by!
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This one has been intriguing me. I love the cover and the title and I definitely want to know what’s going on in that 56!
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Yes, that 56 grabbed my interest, too, Katherine. Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy!
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Not my type or read but I hope you enjoyed it! 🙂
Stormi
Friday Memes
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Thanks for visiting, Stormi, and enjoy your pick.
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This book hit me hard when I saw just the title….
I have a twenty year friendship that has recently drifted apart. Even after trying to discuss with my friend how I felt, that we seem to be drifting apart, she called me crazy and hasn’t seen me since. It’s tough when there is so much time, history, love and pain involved. I hope we reconnect, but sadly we are not a story with a happy ending, and I just don’t see us drifting back again.
Yeah, this book might be too much for me at this moment…. Happy weekend!
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Oh, I can relate, Freda. I had a friendship with a woman that began when we were in college, and despite various moves and changes, we maintained it. And then, for no apparent reason, she stopped responding to e-mails, etc., and it was hard to understand. The friendship had lasted 50 years, so it hit hard.
Maybe this isn’t a book for either of us!
Thanks for hosting…and for stopping by.
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The book sounds sentimental. I have been weepy lately (hormones) and I cry about the idea of friends gathering once a year to remember…
My Friday Quotes
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Yes, this kind of read is definitely an emotional one. I hope to manage it, though, and thanks for stopping by, Anne.
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This book sounds really interesting! I’ve never heard of it before. Thanks for sharing!
Here’s mine if you’d like to check it out.
https://travellingthroughwords.wordpress.com/2016/07/08/book-beginnings-and-the-friday-56-3-egg-and-spoon-by-gregory-mcguire/
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Thanks, Tavleen, I’m glad you could stop by, and I plan to enjoy this one.
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I’d definitely keep reading, and will. I’m adding this to my tbr list.
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Thanks, I think it will be a story I enjoy. Glad you could stop by, Vicki.
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I have mixed feelings about meeting some of my old friends again. I think we may have drifted too far apart!
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I definitely wouldn’t want to meet high school friends again…way too much water under the bridge. Thanks for stopping by, Harvee.
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I moved so much growing up and even switched colleges several times before finishing that none of my friendships have really lasted beyond Facebook. Online we’re all still great together — even my old crew from grade school. In person? I’m not so sure we would be. (I’m far more interesting online, I fear.) Sounds like an interesting book, though!
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I think the online connections are the best way to go for those we haven’t seen in ages. We can be as superficial as we like…lol.
Thanks for stopping by, Karen.
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I’d love to read this book. I’m huge on character driven stories and find group dynamics fascinating.
My Friday 56 from Scar Tissue
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Thanks, Laura, and I am definitely looking forward to this one.
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Such raw emotion in the 56. Hopefully the novel will provide a happier ending. Have a lovely weekend!
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Definitely! I hope so, too, Alicia, and thanks for stopping by.
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I’ve been eyeing this one. It sounds so good. I already have it on my wishlist.
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Thanks, Yvonne, I enjoy this author and love the sound of this one, too.
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To be completely honest – I’m not sure – it would have to really depend on how strongly I like the author – this seems like a book that will either really be excellent or really be horrible – probably full of lots and lots of emotional angst – thanks for visiting my Friday meme on Friday….I’m running a bit late this weekend….lol
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I chose the book because I have enjoyed the author…and I liked the sound of the premise. Thanks for stopping by, Maria.
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I think I would need to be in a very particular mindset to read this book. It sounds good! But it also sounds like it could have some too-close-to-home challenging scenes to read. Here is my Friday 56: https://vfseattle.wordpress.com/2016/07/08/friday-56-perdido-street-station/comment-page-1/#comment-126
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Thanks, GMR, it definitely does not sound like a light book. Thanks for stopping by!
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I’ve never even heard of this one before now, but happy reading!
Check out my Friday 56 (With Book Beginnings).
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Thanks, Lauren, I have enjoyed the author, so I was eager to read her newest book.
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