Grab me from the first page

BookCat · 03-24-2012, 10:27 PM

I'm looking for a book, or books which will grab me almost instantly. I find it so easy to put a book down and forget about it after the first few pages, if it hasn't instantly rolled me into its world or plot.

Please recommend something. I don't care how long it is provided I can't put it down. No sci fi please; that's a genre I've not learned to appreciate. Please don't give away too much of the plot in your replies, assuming there are any

Don't worry too much about whether the books are free

The cats have tamed a parrot! I'll return the favour by recommending the books, if good, on Amazon, so the author will make lots more money

Please delete the previous paragraph if the bods don't like it (breaking forum rules

)

Anyway, those recommendations are desperately needed.

AndrewH · 03-24-2012, 11:02 PM

World War Z grabbed me instantly.

Quote:

The cats have tamed a parrot!

Is that some sort of British colloquialism?

BookCat · 03-24-2012, 11:38 PM

Hehe

no, just my way of saying that I can put one on my shoulder. Think Treasure Island

Thanks for the recommendation, will look it up.

BookCat · 03-24-2012, 11:53 PM

Just checked it out on Amazon. Sighed when realised it was sci fi, but the first few pages seem promising of a good plot, though don't really grab. I'll put it on my list of possibles. Thanks.

SteveK · 03-25-2012, 12:23 AM

Book Cat - If you enjoy historical fiction, check out "From Sea to Shining Sea" by James Alexander Thom. I finished it recently, and felt it to be one of the best works of fiction I've read in a long time. It's about 900 pages, so you'll get your money's worth!

It tells the story of the Clark family, including William Clark of Lewis & Clark fame. It's an excellent story, with very good character development, and the portion of the book that tells the story of the Lewis & Clark expedition appears to be very accurate in its portrayal of the adventures and difficulties encountered by the explorers.

Overall, it's an extremely good book, and I very much enjoyed reading it.

SteveK

AndrewH · 03-25-2012, 12:46 AM

Sci-fi? I wouldn't categorize it as sci-fi any more than I'd categorize it fantasy. Horror? It wasn't particularly scary though. There's certainly no nano technology, robots, or any other sci-fi memes.

World War Z is written as survivors' accounts of the zombie apocalypse.

BookCat · 03-25-2012, 02:49 AM

Andrew, I tried to delete my second reply to you, it sounded so ungrateful; but I wasn't able to do so. It wasn't until I read Amazon's description that I thought "sci fi", while reading the first pages (the site let me peek inside the book) I thought the plot might revolve around an outbreak of some deadly apocalyptic disease.
"World War Z" is on my list.

Steve, thanks, I love historical fiction and will look out for that book...900 pages!! It'll have to be some form of ebook. Must let the parrot out

VaporPunk · 03-25-2012, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BookCat

Steve, thanks, I love historical fiction...)

Funny. I just mentioned this in another thread. You could try Neal Stephenson's Baroque Cycle. Book 1

http://www.amazon.com/Quicksilver-Th...2662053&sr=8-1

It got me from page one, but others have felt very differently. Just might be your thing though. Good luck!

SteveK · 03-25-2012, 07:25 AM

Book Cat- yes, it's available as an ebook, and it's only $7. 99. I think you'll enjoy it. The author has several other books as well, all of which seem to be historical fiction.

Enjoy!
SteveK

CRussel · 03-25-2012, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BookCat

I'm looking for a book, or books which will grab me almost instantly. I find it so easy to put a book down and forget about it after the first few pages, if it hasn't instantly rolled me into its world or plot.

Please recommend something. I don't care how long it is provided I can't put it down. No sci fi please; that's a genre I've not learned to appreciate. Please don't give away too much of the plot in your replies, assuming there are any

Don't worry too much about whether the books are free

The cats have tamed a parrot! I'll return the favour by recommending the books, if good, on Amazon, so the author will make lots more money

Please delete the previous paragraph if the bods don't like it (breaking forum rules

)

Anyway, those recommendations are desperately needed.

OK, avoiding SciFi (even though I enjoy SciFi and there are plenty in the genre that meet your requirement), I'd try the Jane Whitefield novels by Thomas Perry. The first of them is Vanishing Act. The main character is Jane Whitefield, a half-white, half-Indian member of the Seneca Wolf clan. Jane helps people disappear. Some are good people, some less so, but all are in mortal danger. These books grab you from the first page and do NOT let go. Don't start one of his books when you have any other obligations, and especially not when you need to get to sleep.

These were a recent discovery by an author I hadn't read before, and they are excellent page turners. Not great on character development over time, but still compelling despite that.

Synamon · 03-25-2012, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CRussel

I'd try the Jane Whitefield novels by Thomas Perry.

Thanks for the recommendation, I'd been wondering if those were any good.

To the OP, this series is available on Overdrive, so you could check if your local library has them.

J. Strnad · 03-25-2012, 10:57 AM

It's hard to know what's going to "grab" someone in the first few pages.

When I read openings that seem to have come out of a college workshop, meant to "grab" readers right from the start, I'm actually kind of turned off. You know the sort of stuff I mean, I'm sure: "Bailey put his hand over his heart as he looked up at the corpse hanging from the flagpole." Unless it's a Tim Dorsey sort of book, not meant to be taken seriously, those kinds of openings strike me as amateurish.

I'm "grabbed" more by solid prose that gives me the assurance that I'm in good hands, prose that doesn't seem to be doing a song and dance to get my attention.

Tastes vary so widely, it's hard to make any kind of recommendation.

I'm reading Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children right now, and it's moving along at a nice clip. It might have too much of a fantasy slant for you, though. Cannibal Nights is a great collection of woman-centric short stories by Kiana Davenport. I don't know...hard to say without knowing what you like.

Apache · 03-25-2012, 11:31 AM

Try The Walking Drum by Louis L'Amour. It grabbed me from the start. It is not a Western. It is set in Europe and The Middle East during the 12Th Century.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Walking_Drum

speakingtohe · 03-25-2012, 03:31 PM

I am grabbed by something different, or something familiar. Read prologues but mostly hate them. Particularly hate it when the author quotes a scene halfway through the book at the beginning. I don't mind books that go back and forth timewise, but just quoting an excerpt seems to shout at me "at least there is one interesting page in this book"

To me it is not about the first page or chapter despite my strong feelings but whether I want to read more books by the author regardless of genre. Still I usually plod along fifty or so pages before deciding.

I would recommend
Robert B. Tanebaum - Butch karp series.
Liz Williams - Inspector Chen
Tee Morris - Phoenix Rising
F. E. Higgins - Tales from the Sinister City series
Simon R. Green - Nightside
Glen cook - Garret P. I.
Robert B. parker, Andrew vachss, Michael Connelly, Elmore Leonard, Tim Dorsey and the list could go on and on and on.

Might be more selective if you mentioned your favorite books

Helen

Elfwreck · 03-25-2012, 04:26 PM

Rottweiler Rescue: a mystery for dog lovers by Ellen O'Connell, if your interest in critters extends to canine. (It's also available at Amazon & probably B&N.) I also love her romances, but those are more "if you like historical romances, take a look; if it's not your genre at all, the excellent writing & characterization won't do you any good."

Crack-Up by Eric Christopherson; psychological thriller, heavy on the psychological: the protagonist is a functioning paranoid schizophrenic who runs a security company (what better way to cope than to find a job where you're *supposed* to suspect everyone of everything?); he's been charged with murder.

Drawn Together by Z.A. Maxfield, M/M erotica; Rory travels 1500 miles to meet the artist whom he just *knows* is the girl of his dreams, his soulmate... only to find that Japanese names don't follow English gender expectations and the artist is a guy. Who is gay.

03-24-2012, 10:27 PM	#1
BookCat C L J Posts: 2,911 Karma: 21115458 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Birmingham UK Device: Sony e-reader 505, Kindle PW2, Kindle PW3, Kobo Libra2	Grab me from the first page I'm looking for a book, or books which will grab me almost instantly. I find it so easy to put a book down and forget about it after the first few pages, if it hasn't instantly rolled me into its world or plot. Please recommend something. I don't care how long it is provided I can't put it down. No sci fi please; that's a genre I've not learned to appreciate. Please don't give away too much of the plot in your replies, assuming there are any Don't worry too much about whether the books are free The cats have tamed a parrot! I'll return the favour by recommending the books, if good, on Amazon, so the author will make lots more money Please delete the previous paragraph if the bods don't like it (breaking forum rules ) Anyway, those recommendations are desperately needed.

03-25-2012, 12:23 AM	#5
SteveK Addict Posts: 272 Karma: 1017902 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: Kindle PW, PW2, Kindle3, Kobo Glo, tablets, phone	Book Cat - If you enjoy historical fiction, check out "From Sea to Shining Sea" by James Alexander Thom. I finished it recently, and felt it to be one of the best works of fiction I've read in a long time. It's about 900 pages, so you'll get your money's worth! It tells the story of the Clark family, including William Clark of Lewis & Clark fame. It's an excellent story, with very good character development, and the portion of the book that tells the story of the Lewis & Clark expedition appears to be very accurate in its portrayal of the adventures and difficulties encountered by the explorers. Overall, it's an extremely good book, and I very much enjoyed reading it. SteveK Last edited by SteveK; 03-25-2012 at 01:10 AM.

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03-24-2012, 11:38 PM	#3
BookCat C L J Posts: 2,911 Karma: 21115458 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Birmingham UK Device: Sony e-reader 505, Kindle PW2, Kindle PW3, Kobo Libra2	Hehe no, just my way of saying that I can put one on my shoulder. Think Treasure Island Thanks for the recommendation, will look it up.

03-24-2012, 11:53 PM	#4
BookCat C L J Posts: 2,911 Karma: 21115458 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Birmingham UK Device: Sony e-reader 505, Kindle PW2, Kindle PW3, Kobo Libra2	Just checked it out on Amazon. Sighed when realised it was sci fi, but the first few pages seem promising of a good plot, though don't really grab. I'll put it on my list of possibles. Thanks.

03-25-2012, 12:46 AM	#6
AndrewH Fanatic Posts: 553 Karma: 1234566 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver, WA Device: Sony PRS-T1, & Kobo Mini	Sci-fi? I wouldn't categorize it as sci-fi any more than I'd categorize it fantasy. Horror? It wasn't particularly scary though. There's certainly no nano technology, robots, or any other sci-fi memes. World War Z is written as survivors' accounts of the zombie apocalypse.

03-25-2012, 02:49 AM	#7
BookCat C L J Posts: 2,911 Karma: 21115458 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Birmingham UK Device: Sony e-reader 505, Kindle PW2, Kindle PW3, Kobo Libra2	Andrew, I tried to delete my second reply to you, it sounded so ungrateful; but I wasn't able to do so. It wasn't until I read Amazon's description that I thought "sci fi", while reading the first pages (the site let me peek inside the book) I thought the plot might revolve around an outbreak of some deadly apocalyptic disease. "World War Z" is on my list. Steve, thanks, I love historical fiction and will look out for that book...900 pages!! It'll have to be some form of ebook. Must let the parrot out

03-25-2012, 07:25 AM	#9
SteveK Addict Posts: 272 Karma: 1017902 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: Kindle PW, PW2, Kindle3, Kobo Glo, tablets, phone	Book Cat- yes, it's available as an ebook, and it's only $7. 99. I think you'll enjoy it. The author has several other books as well, all of which seem to be historical fiction. Enjoy! SteveK

03-25-2012, 10:57 AM	#12
J. Strnad Guru Posts: 915 Karma: 3537194 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kobo, Kindle 3, Paperwhite	It's hard to know what's going to "grab" someone in the first few pages. When I read openings that seem to have come out of a college workshop, meant to "grab" readers right from the start, I'm actually kind of turned off. You know the sort of stuff I mean, I'm sure: "Bailey put his hand over his heart as he looked up at the corpse hanging from the flagpole." Unless it's a Tim Dorsey sort of book, not meant to be taken seriously, those kinds of openings strike me as amateurish. I'm "grabbed" more by solid prose that gives me the assurance that I'm in good hands, prose that doesn't seem to be doing a song and dance to get my attention. Tastes vary so widely, it's hard to make any kind of recommendation. I'm reading Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children right now, and it's moving along at a nice clip. It might have too much of a fantasy slant for you, though. Cannibal Nights is a great collection of woman-centric short stories by Kiana Davenport. I don't know...hard to say without knowing what you like.

03-25-2012, 11:31 AM	#13
Apache Readaholic Posts: 5,277 Karma: 90000484 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: South Georgia Device: Surface Pro 6 / Galaxy Tab A 8"	Try The Walking Drum by Louis L'Amour. It grabbed me from the start. It is not a Western. It is set in Europe and The Middle East during the 12Th Century. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Walking_Drum

03-25-2012, 03:31 PM	#14
speakingtohe Wizard Posts: 4,812 Karma: 26912940 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: sony PRS-T1 and T3, Kobo Mini and Aura HD, Tablet	I am grabbed by something different, or something familiar. Read prologues but mostly hate them. Particularly hate it when the author quotes a scene halfway through the book at the beginning. I don't mind books that go back and forth timewise, but just quoting an excerpt seems to shout at me "at least there is one interesting page in this book" To me it is not about the first page or chapter despite my strong feelings but whether I want to read more books by the author regardless of genre. Still I usually plod along fifty or so pages before deciding. I would recommend Robert B. Tanebaum - Butch karp series. Liz Williams - Inspector Chen Tee Morris - Phoenix Rising F. E. Higgins - Tales from the Sinister City series Simon R. Green - Nightside Glen cook - Garret P. I. Robert B. parker, Andrew vachss, Michael Connelly, Elmore Leonard, Tim Dorsey and the list could go on and on and on. Might be more selective if you mentioned your favorite books Helen

03-25-2012, 04:26 PM	#15
Elfwreck Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,187 Karma: 25133758 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SF Bay Area, California, USA Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3 (Past: Kobo Mini, PEZ, PRS-505, Clié)	Rottweiler Rescue: a mystery for dog lovers by Ellen O'Connell, if your interest in critters extends to canine. (It's also available at Amazon & probably B&N.) I also love her romances, but those are more "if you like historical romances, take a look; if it's not your genre at all, the excellent writing & characterization won't do you any good." Crack-Up by Eric Christopherson; psychological thriller, heavy on the psychological: the protagonist is a functioning paranoid schizophrenic who runs a security company (what better way to cope than to find a job where you're supposed to suspect everyone of everything?); he's been charged with murder. Drawn Together by Z.A. Maxfield, M/M erotica; Rory travels 1500 miles to meet the artist whom he just knows is the girl of his dreams, his soulmate... only to find that Japanese names don't follow English gender expectations and the artist is a guy. Who is gay.

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