Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen -- BOOK BEGINNINGS

BOOK BEGINNINGS ON FRIDAYS

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Thank you for joining me for Book Beginnings on Fridays. Please share the opening sentence (or so) of the book you are reading this week. You can also share from a book that caught your fancy, even if you are not reading it right now.

MY BOOK BEGINNING

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.

-- from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. 

The opening sentence from Pride and Prejudice is so famous, I could type it in from memory. But it is a good one, no matter how hackneyed it has become. 

Because 2025 is the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth, I am rereading her six main books in publication order. Now up is her most popular book. I am reading it as an audiobook this time around. I plan to start this weekend. My only question is whether to go with a British reader for the traditional experience, or this delightful version read in an American Southern accent. Which would you choose?

The book cover, above, is not the cover on my copy. But it is so pretty that I wanted to share it. 

YOUR BOOK BEGINNINGS

Please add the link to your Book Beginnings post in the box below. If you share on social media, please use the #bookbeginnings hashtag.

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THE FRIDAY 56

The Friday 56 is a natural tie-in with Book Beginnings. The idea is to share a two-sentence teaser from page 56 of your featured book. If you are reading an ebook or audiobook, find your teaser from the 56% mark.

Freda at Freda's Voice started and hosted The Friday 56 for a long, long time. She is taking a break and Anne at My Head is Full of Books has taken on hosting duties in her absence. Please visit Anne's blog and link to your Friday 56 post.

MY FRIDAY 56

-- from Pride and Prejudice:

Allowing for the common demands of the game, Mr. Wickham was therefore at leisure to talk to Elizabeth, and she was very willing to hear him, though what she chiefly wished to hear she could not hope to be told, the history of his acquaintance with Mr. Darcy. She dared not even mention that gentleman.

 

The Lady of the Mine by Sergei Lebedev -- BOOK REVIEW

 

BOOK REVIEW

The Lady of the Mine by Sergei Lebedev, translated by Antonina W. Bouis

The Lady of the Mine is not an easy read, but it is a powerful one. Set in 2014 when Russia invaded eastern Ukraine, it is the tragic story of a Ukrainian mining village that suffered invaders throughout the 20th Century. There is an abandoned mine shaft in the village filled with the bodies of war victims dating back to the Russian Revolution. More recently, the Nazis executed thousands of Jews and and threw the bodies down the mine during World War II. As much as the Russians would like to expose the crimes of the Nazis, they keep the mine quiet because exposing the Nazis would also expose crimes committed by the Russians during their civil war and by Soviets later. 

That is the grisly backdrop to the 2014 story. When the Russians return to the village, the current conflict revives past miseries, especially when a passenger plan is shot down over the village. 

The book is told from multiple points of view, including a young soldier in the Russian occupying forces, a young woman with generational ties to the mine and people of the village, the former manager of the mine under prior Soviet occupation, and the original mine engineer, speaking from the grave because he is one of the bodies buried in the mine. Because the story is told by so many people and skips around in time, I had a hard time engaging with the book. I had to remind myself who the different narrators were and what their connection was to the historical events in the village. I also missed some of the many references to people, places, and events that are unfamiliar to non-European readers. 

Although I struggled with these aspects of the book, I ended up admiring it very much. It made me think about how dark times in history repeat themselves and the role of ordinary individuals in tumultuous times. Now that Ukraine is again fighting off the Russians, The Lady of the Mine is a particularly moving and significant story.

FROM THE PUBLISHER'S DESCRIPTION

The mystical laundress at the center of this novel is obsessed with purity. Her task is formidable as she stands guard over a sealed shaft at a Ukrainian coal mine that hides terrible truths. The bodies of dead Jews lying in its depths seem to attract still more present-day crimes. Acclaimed Russian author Sergei Lebedev portrays a ghostly realm riven by lust and fear just as the Kremlin invades the same part of Ukraine occupied by the Wehrmacht in World War II. Then corpses rain from the sky when a jetliner is shot down overhead, scattering luxury goods along with the mortal remains. Eerie coincidences and gruesome discoveries fill this riveting exploration of an uncanny place where the geography exudes violence, and where the sins of the past are never all that in the past. Lebedev, who has won international praise for his soul-searching prose and unflinching examination of history’s evils, shines light on the fault line where Nazism met Soviet communism, evolving into the new fascism of today’s Russia.

NOTES

The Lady of the Mine was one of my TBR 25 in '25 books and counts as my Ukraine book for the 2025 European Reading Challenge. I got my copy in a LibraryThing Early Reviewer giveaway. 

 

Paris Lost and Found: A Memoir of Love by Scott Dominic Carpenter -- BOOK BEGINNINGS

BOOK BEGINNINGS ON FRIDAYS

Paris Lost and Found: A Memoir of Love by Scott Dominic Carpenter

Thank you for joining me for Book Beginnings on Fridays. Please share the opening sentence (or so) of the book you are reading this week. You can also share from a book that caught your fancy, even if you are not reading it right now.

MY BOOK BEGINNING

Hands down my favorite heist ever.

-- from Paris Lost and Found: A Memoir of Love by Scott Dominic Carpenter.

I don't know what to make of that opening sentence. Paris Lost and Found is a memoir about Scott Dominic Carpenter losing his wife to dementia and living in Paris during the pandemic. He's not a criminal who commits heists. Perhaps if I had read his first memoir, French like Moi: a Midwesterner in Paris, I would understand his humor better. Nonetheless, I look forward to reading this one because, while the subject matter is sad, the storytelling is supposed to be very funny. 

See the Publisher's Description below for more details. 

YOUR BOOK BEGINNINGS

Please add the link to your Book Beginnings post in the box below. If you share on social media, please use the #bookbeginnings hashtag.

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THE FRIDAY 56

The Friday 56 is a natural tie-in with Book Beginnings. The idea is to share a two-sentence teaser from page 56 of your featured book. If you are reading an ebook or audiobook, find your teaser from the 56% mark.

Freda at Freda's Voice started and hosted The Friday 56 for a long, long time. She is taking a break and Anne at My Head is Full of Books has taken on hosting duties in her absence. Please visit Anne's blog and link to your Friday 56 post.

MY FRIDAY 56

-- from Paris Lost and Found:

The gruffness seemed uncalled-for, and out of keeping with the fake garlands of spruce that conferred holiday cheer on the establishment. I wasn't the only one who turned to watch.

FROM THE PUBLISHER'S DESCRIPTION

From bizarre encounters on the Metro to comical clashes with authority figures, including a quixotic battle against a flock of migrant parrots, and even the tribulations of dating, Paris Lost and Found unveils sides of the great city that are as quirky as they are authentic. With a unique blend of wit, insight, and wistfulness, Carpenter charts a path through a labyrinth of challenges—only to emerge on the other side, squinting into the bright light of hope and new beginnings.

Anthony Trollope -- FAVORITE AUTHOR, BOOK LIST

 

FAVORITE AUTHOR, BOOK LIST

Anthony Trollope

Thanks to Arches Bookhouse, I’m the happy new owner of a complete set of Anthony Trollope fiction. Plus some.

As you see, this isn’t a fancy set. It’s not even a matching set. These are all reader copies in mismatched paperback editions. I might call this a “collection,” but it’s not a collectible collection. Maybe calling it a "grouping" would be more accurate. Whatever you call it, I love it!

I had to rearrange a several of my paperback book shelves and even cull some books to make room for all of these. The result is a miracle of horizontal and double-deep organization. A common bookworm problem.

Anthony Trollope was a prolific Victorian author who wrote 47 novels, dozens of short stories, travel books, two plays, nonfiction, and several collections of correspondence. He died in 1882. The Trollope Society and the Trollope Society USA are excellent resources for Trollope fans. Both host in-person and online events for members and provide a trove of Trollope information.

The books I got at Arches include all the novels, short stories, and travel writing, plus a book of letters, his autobiography, two “companion” books, and a biography by Victoria Glendinning.

Trollope is best known for his two six-novel series, the Chronicles of Barsetshire and the Palliser Novels. I've read those books, although I'd like to read the Barsetshire novels again. But there are so many others that I haven't read for the first time, so it will be a while before I get to rereads. 

Are you an Anthony Trollope fan? Do you have any favorites or suggestions about which books to prioritize?

Here is Anthony Trollope's bibliography, which are novels unless noted:

The Macdermots of Ballycloran (1847) TBR SHELF

The Kellys and the O’Kellys (1848) TBR SHELF/ON AUDIBLE

La Vendee (1850) TBR SHELF

The Warden (1855) (Chronicles of Barsetshire, Book 1) FINISHED

Barchester Towers (1857) (Chronicles of Barsetshire, Book 2) FINISHED

Doctor Thorne (1858) (Chronicles of Barsetshire, Book 3) FINISHED

The Three Clerks (1858) TBR SHELF/ON AUDIBLE

The Bertrams (1859) TBR SHELF

The West Indies and the Spanish Main (1859) (travel) TBR SHELF

Castle Richmond (1860) TBR SHELF/ON AUDIBLE

Tales of All Countries, 1st Series (1861) (short stories) TBR SHELF

Framley Parsonage (1861) (Chronicles of Barsetshire, Book 4) FINISHED

North America, Volume 1 (1861) (travel) TBR SHELF

Orley Farm (1862) TBR SHELF/ON AUDIBLE/ON SPOTIFY

The Struggles of Brown, Jones, and Robinson, by One of the Firm (1862) TBR SHELF

North America, Volume 2 (1862) (travel) TBR SHELF

Rachel Ray (1863) TBR SHELF

Tales of All Countries, 2nd Series (1863) (short stories) TBR SHELF

North America, Volume 3 (1863) (travel) TBR SHELF
 
The Small House at Allington (1864) (Chronicles of Barsetshire, Book 5) FINISHED

Can You Forgive Her? (1865) (Palliser Novels, Book 1) FINISHED

Miss Mackenzie (1865) TBR SHELF

The Belton Estate (1865) TBR SHELF/ON AUDIBLE

Hunting Sketches (1865) (nonfiction)

Traveling Sketches (1866) (nonfiction)

Clergymen of the Church of England (1866) (nonfiction)

The Last Chronicle of Barset (1867) (Chronicles of Barsetshire, Book 6) FINISHED

The Golden Lion of Granpere (1867) TBR SHELF

The Claverings (1867) TBR SHELF/ON AUDIBLE

Nina Balatka (1867) TBR SHELF

Lotta Schmidt and Other Stories (1867) (short stories) TBR SHELF

Linda Tressel (1868) TBR SHELF

Phineas Finn (1869) (Palliser Novels, Book 2)

He Knew He Was Right (1869) TBR SHELF/ON AUDIBLE/ON SPOTIFY

Did He Steal It? (1896) (play)

On English Prose Fiction as a Rational Amusement (1869) (lectures)

The Vicar of Bullhampton (1870) TBR SHELF/ON AUDIBLE/ON SPOTIFY

An Editor's Tales (1870) (short stories) TBR SHELF

The Commentaries of Caesar (1870 (nonfiction)

Ralph the Heir (1871) TBR SHELF

Sir Harry Hotspur of Humblethwaite (1871) TBR SHELF/ON LIBBY

The Eustace Diamonds (1872) (Palliser Novels, Book 3) FINISHED

Australia and New Zealand, Volume 1 (1873) (travel) TBR SHELF

Australia and New Zealand, Volume 2 (1873) (travel) TBR SHELF

Phineas Redux (1874) (Palliser Novels, Book 4) FINISHED

Lady Anna (1874) TBR SHELF/ON AUDIBLE

Harry Heathcote of Gangoil (1874) TBR SHELF/ON LIBBY

The Way We Live Now (1875) TBR SHELF/ON LIBBY

The Prime Minister (1876) (Palliser Novels, Book 5) FINISHED

The American Senator (1877) TBR SHELF/ON AUDIBLE

South Africa, Volume 1 (1877) (travel) TBR SHELF

South Africa, Volume 2 (1877) (travel) TBR SHELF

The Lady of Launay (1878) TBR SHELF

Is He Popenjoy? (1878) TBR SHELF/ON AUDIBLE

Cousin Henry (1879) TBR SHELF

An Eye for an Eye (1879) TBR SHELF

John Caldigate (1879) TBR SHELF/ON SPOTIFY

Thackeray (1879) (nonfiction)

The Duke’s Children (1880) (Palliser Novels, Book 6) FINISHED

The Life of Cicero, Vol. 1 (1880) (nonfiction)

The Life of Cicero, Vol. 2 (1880) (nonfiction)

Ayala’s Angel (1881) TBR SHELF/ON AUDIBLE

Dr. Wortle’s School (1881) TBR SHELF/ON LIBBY

Marion Fay (1882) TBR SHELF

The Fixed Period (1882) TBR SHELF

Kept in the Dark (1882) TBR SHELF/ON AUDIBLE

Why Frau Frohmann Raised Her Prices and Other Stories (1882) (short stories)

Lord Palmerston (1882) (nonfiction)

Mr. Scarborough’s Family (1883) TBR SHELF

The Landleaguers (1883) TBR SHELF

An Autobiography (1883) (nonfiction) TBR SHELF

An Old Man’s Love (1884) TBR SHELF/ON LIBBY

The Noble Jilt (1923) (play)

London Tradesmen (1927) (nonfiction)

The Tireless Traveler: Twenty Letters to the Liverpool Mercury (1941) TBR SHELF

The New Zealander (1972) (nonfiction)

The Letters of Anthony Trollope (1983)

NOTES

I cobbled together this list from wikipedia and other sources. It may not be 100% accurate, especially about publication dates. If anything is missing or in error, please let me know.

I linked to bookshop.org when I could, just to provide an easy source of information about the books. (Although I do have an account, so I probably get a few pennies if you order any of them.) If bookshop.org didn't have it, I cited to what I could find. 

Because the books are old and out of copyright, you can find many of the texts on line, in generic paperbacks, and very inexpensive "complete works" ebook editions. These last contain almost everything Anthony Trollope wrote, including the hard-to-find books, like his plays and lectures. I can't vouch for their completeness, especially as to posthumously published works. For instance, I could not find a "complete works" that contained his letters, which were published well after his death.  

Many of Trollope's books are available as audiobooks from the library (Libby), Audible, Spotify, LibreVox, and others. Most of them are available for free from LibreVox, but the quality varies. 

Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson -- BOOK BEGINNINGS

BOOK BEGINNINGS ON FRIDAYS

Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson

Thank you for joining me for Book Beginnings on Fridays. Please share the opening sentence (or so) of the book you are reading this week. You can also share from a book that caught your fancy, even if you are not reading it right now.

MY BOOK BEGINNING

As a kid growing up in South Africa, Elon Musk new pain and learned how to survive it.

-- from Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson.

Love him, hate him, don't care -- Elon Musk is in the spotlight. I decided this was the perfect time to read Walter Isaacson's biography of Musk to get a better understanding of this man playing such a huge role in public affairs right now. The book came out at the end of 2023, so does not cover the 2024 election or Musk's role heading up the DOGE. But it offers a lot of insight into this man of the moment. 

Isaacson's biography of Steve Jobs was excellent, so I knew this one would be well-written, meticulously researched, and balanced. I just finished it and it is all those things. Musk is a fascinating person. His technological breakthroughs and business successes are jaw-droppingly impressive. He is also a really strange dude and can be a total jerk. I was riveted. I highly recommend this one.   

YOUR BOOK BEGINNINGS

Please add the link to your Book Beginnings post in the box below. If you share on social media, please use the #bookbeginnings hashtag.

Mister Linky's Magical Widgets -- Thumb-Linky widget will appear right here!
This preview will disappear when the widget is displayed on your site.
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THE FRIDAY 56

The Friday 56 is a natural tie-in with Book Beginnings. The idea is to share a two-sentence teaser from page 56 of your featured book. If you are reading an ebook or audiobook, find your teaser from the 56% mark.

Freda at Freda's Voice started and hosted The Friday 56 for a long, long time. She is taking a break and Anne at My Head is Full of Books has taken on hosting duties in her absence. Please visit Anne's blog and link to your Friday 56 post.

MY FRIDAY 56

-- from Elon Musk:

They were impressed and wanted him to work full-time, but he needed to graduate in order to get a U.S. work visa. In addition, he came to a realization: he had a fanatic love of video games and the skills to make money creating them, but that was not the best way to spend his life.

There's a lot of Revenge of the Nerds to Musk's story.  

FROM THE PUBLISHER'S DESCRIPTION

The #1 New York Times and global bestseller from Walter Isaacson—the acclaimed author of Steve Jobs, Einstein: His Life and World, Benjamin Franklin, and Leonardo da Vinci—is the astonishingly intimate story of the most fascinating, controversial innovator of modern times. For two years, Isaacson shadowed Elon Musk as he executed his vision for electric vehicles at Tesla, space exploration with SpaceX, the AI revolution, and the takeover of Twitter and its conversion to X. The result is the definitive portrait of the mercurial pioneer that offers clues to his political instincts, future ambitions, and overall worldview.