Please join me to share your book beginnings on Fridays and join Freda on Freda's Voice to share a teaser on The Friday 56. Read details about both events here.
I have a Book Beginnings twofer this week because these two new books share a theme. I think it is cool how they dovetail. Both are sibling stories with a past story line about Vietnam War protests and a more contemporary story line.
Reading them together is a particularly rich experience, a way to immerse yourself in the Vietnam war period by looking at the similar stories told in different ways.
It was the summer of fire, 1998. The east coast of Florida burned.
Burn Down this World by Tina Egnoski (Adelaide Books). The two stories in Burn Down this World involve a sister and brother who both protested the Vietnam war at the University of Florida but then parted ways. The other part of the story takes place during the 1998 Florida wildfires when the siblings reconnect and try to reconcile -- with each other and their past.
The August air was charged with whiffs of marijuana and patchouli oil, the sulfur stench of asphalt softening in the heat, and the distant admonition of tear gas.
Her Sister's Tattoo by Ellen Meeropol (Red Hen Press). Egnoski uses a "braided narrative" format, going back and forth between events in 1972 and 1998. Meeropol moves chronologically, starting with two sisters joining in anti-war protests in Detroit in 1968, following events through 1980, then jumping to a final section set in 2003.
YOUR BOOK BEGINNING
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MY FRIDAY 56
From Burn Down this World:
Dad came into the kitchen. He was in his uniform, ready to leave for work.
From Her Sister's Tattoo:
Under the table, he rested his hand on Rosa's thigh. "Conspiracy is what they charge when they really want to nail you big time."
Fabulous cover! I like the sound of this one.
ReplyDeleteI agree! Have a good weekend!
DeleteHi Gilion,
ReplyDeleteI have recently finished a war/independence struggle, book about Indonesia, which has left me needing a more light-hearted interlude in my reading. However my epic journey did also rekindle my interest in history, a subject I did enjoy in my studies, so I am adding both of these to my list as possible future reads!
Thanks for sharing and hosting :)
Yvonne
xx
Sounds like you could use a lighthearted book Yvonne!
DeleteI like the sounds of both books! Happy weekend, stay safe!
ReplyDeleteThanks Freda! And thank you for hosting The Friday 56!
DeleteBurn Down this World sounds really good. I love a good reconciliation story!
ReplyDeleteI think so to! And family reconciliation stories are so satisfying.
DeleteI especially liked the beginning of Her Sister's Tattoos. I could almost smell the intensity of all the aromas it describes.
ReplyDeleteI had the same reaction -- it really sets the scene, doesn't it?
DeleteBoth beginnings sound really good. Very descriptive.
ReplyDeleteBoth start right in the middle of the action!
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteSound like really great books...I'll have
to check them out...have a great day!
You too Sherrie! Have a great weekend!
DeleteThey both sound super reads! Have a lovely weekend, take care!
ReplyDeleteGood weekend to you too! Happy reading!
DeleteInteresting! I just signed up to read a journalist's perspective of the Vietnam war. I'm curious to learn more.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Konna that the beginning of Her Sister's Tattoos utilizes the sense of smell very intensely. Interesting, because memories can often be triggered by smells. Love the idea of reading two books with similar topics to see how the different viewpoints and styles work. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds very interesting.
ReplyDeleteYes, it sounds like it would be interesting to read both together.
ReplyDeleteBoth of these sound like promising reads. Burn Down This World has me wondering why the two siblings were estranged in the first place. I hope you are enjoying both of these! Have a great week.
ReplyDelete