Today we’re starting a book with an intriguing title for The Bestseller Code 100 challenge: A Day Late and A Dollar Short by Terry McMillan. It’s just in time for Book Beginnings on Fridays.
Book Beginnings is a fun meme hosted by Rose City Reader blog. To participate, share the first sentence or so of a novel you are reading and your thoughts about it. When you are finished, add your URL to the Book Beginnings page linked above. Hope to see you there!
A Day Late and a Dollar Short*
(*Amazon Affiliate link)
Summary: A peek into the dynamics of a complex and frankly dysfunctional family.
You might recognize some of Terry McMillan’s other novels, such as Waiting to Exhale and How Stella Got Her Groove Back.
First Sentence:
Can’t nobody tell me nothing I don’t already know.
Discussion:
What a strong voice! You have to hear the next paragraph:
Which is exactly how I ended up in this damn hospital: worrying about kids. I don’t even want to think about Cecil right now, because it might just bring on another attack. He’s a bad habit I’ve had for thirty-eight years, which would make him my husband, Between him and these kids, I’m worn out. It’s a miracle I can breathe at all.
Can’t you just hear this character talking in your head? I’m looking forward to see what more she has to offer.
The front matter shows a family tree, which I think I’m going to need to keep everyone straight. Looks like a lot of the people in the family have been married more than once, reflections of the realism of complicated modern families.
I started reading this book last night and the first line pulled me right in. I was certain that this was going to be an interesting story.
It also told me right off the bat that this was not going to be another detective novel. On our list of 100 Books, this book doesn’t have any description to indicate genre, and from the title I somehow assumed it would be a murder mystery or detective novel of some sort. Was I surprised!
No, not a mystery. There needs to be a label for family-centered fiction. Anyone know of one?
Did you see the family tree?
I did see the family tree. I have the hardcover version and those first sentences were on the paper jacket, so saw them before I saw the family tree.
I love that voice.
I think I read Waiting to Exhale many years ago, but I’d have to check to be sure. Hope you enjoy this one.
I’m reading Her Every Fear by Peter Swanson.
This one doesn’t sound like it is for me. I hope you enjoy it though. I have a science fiction book this week – The Collapsing Empire by John Scalzi. Happy reading!
I love her voice! I can definitely hear her talking and can feel her exhaustion and irritation. I’ll have to check this one out. I think I read Waiting to Exhale ages ago but nothing by McMillan since then.
I enjoyed this book! Thanks for sharing…and for visiting my blog.
One day I’m going to try this author for sure! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Lauren @ Always Me