Conversations With Kav – First Sentence Fun + Giveaway

True Confession: I have a library problem. A BIG problem! Like a 44 Books Checked Out problem. Partly because it seems to just happen that a bunch of holds come in at the same time, but largely because I can’t resist browsing the bookshelves and adding to my growing collection.

Then I get home and I add them to my mountain of a TBR pile and promptly start to feel overwhelmed. Then, when it’s time for a new read I cautiously approach the pile and spend an hour browsing through all the books trying to decide what to read next. I like to read and rate the first sentence of all the books and choose the one that intrigues me the most.

It can take ages to narrow it down to the ‘winning’ book. I look for a first sentence that beguiles me, leaves me with a question or sparks intrigue. A sentence that makes me want to read more. So I did that today after I came home from my third library visit this week (I just can’t stay away!) And I spent way too long winnowing down my first sentence hopefuls only to become stymied by indecision when I pared the pile down to seven books. Groan! (And, yes, I could have read a whole book with the time I’ve spent trying make this monumental decision!)

So, I had a brilliant idea! Why don’t I let YOU choose my next read for me? Just read the seven first sentences below and and vote for the one you find most appealing in a comment. I’ll tally the answers up and the sentence with the most votes will be the book I read next. And I’ll be able to return at least one book to the library next week! Yay! 🙂

Nine PM and time for me to head to bed…with a book, of course! So I thought I’d update these first sentences with their matching titles in case some of you won’t be able to sleep tonight for not knowing! Bwahahaha!

One

This Great Water will be my sepulcher.

Tempest at Annabel’s Lighthouse by Jaime Jo Wright

Two

It was a strangely calm morning in March, with no wind off the dales, when the woman I assumed to be my mother slipped into the shop.

The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House by Joanna Politano

Three

So this is how it feels to be near death and utterly alone.

Indigo Isle by T.I. Lowe

Four

Bleak. The weather, her mood, her life.

The Seaside Homecoming by Julie Klassen

Five

What had I done?

The Vanished by Cara Putman

Six

Strange how an empty room could be haunted by sound, especially a sound as whispery and distant as the shiff of sand between the bowls of an hourglass.

The Atlas of Untold Stories by Sara Brunsvold

Seven

I was only eight years old when my aunts cursed me.

Truth Cursed by Angie Dickinson

Questions, I Have Questions (and a Giveaway)

  • I’m curious: are you a library user? How many books do you have checked out at time?
  • How do you choose what will be your next read?
  • Do you pay attention to the lure (or not) of first sentences?

And, of course there’s a giveaway.

Leave your vote (#1-#7) in a comment below and join in the conversation to be entered in a draw for:

  • US – $10 Baker Bookhouse e-gift card
  • Canada – $10 Amazon or Indigo e-gift card

Draw will be held and winner announced on

Saturday October 18 2025.

87 thoughts on “Conversations With Kav – First Sentence Fun + Giveaway”

  1. It’s between 2 and 5 ~ but five deserves a second sentence ~ would I continue to read to decide or go back to 2? I can identify with your anguish in choosing. Would I choose both and read between them?? Unfair to make me choose! One in one hand and one in the other. I chose 2 before I knew there was 5. Send all the others back. Read 2 in anticipation of 5, and snappo! Is that another new book I must have?

    I choose 2, lol. With my discovery of Libby, and your suggestion to try Hoopla, a whole new world has opened! Armchair reading/listening (a dilemma; where do you decide to turn it off?!). I have a list of new to me authors who have commented in the front of a book I am reading. I have read quite a few and enjoyed them. If not available for Kindle or my phone, I check at the library for a paperback or order interloan. Only, new books do not go out for interloan so I hope I might win them with you! Kathleen lanehillhouse(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Bwahahahaha! Glad I’m not the only one who waffles between first sentence decisions! These authors make it so hard for us! And yes, #2 is likely a book you might want to read too 🙂 Love that you have discovered Libby and Hoopla — such great resources! Interlibrary loans are such a boon to us readers! Yay libraries! Good luck, Kathleen!

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  2. I’m also going with two because the others sound creepy haha. I absolutely like to gauge a book’s beginning, although I usually go in for more than a sentence. Sometimes I’ll be in the middle of one book and really want to read another, so I’ll just taste a smackerel. (Spoiler: I often end up reading the one I tasted)

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    1. That’s funny, because they aren’t all suspense books but I can see how those first lines seem like they are. Only one straight up suspense in the lot. But, Stephanie….GASP…you didn’t just admit to abandoning one book to take up with another?! THUD! I have no words. 🙂 Good luck!

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    1. Ohhh, you like to live on the edge with your book selections! I just couldn’t do that. I am very methodical…at least about my library books. Cover love, back blurb, first sentence then time to make the decision. I’m so boring! Good luck, Kim!

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  4. I’d go with number 5. Now I’m curious!!

    I love the library. I’m thankful for interlibrary loan so I can get most of the books I want. But there are still a few outliers I can’t get ahold of. Then I choose what to read based on what is due first! I’m too practical!

    kathrynlvossATgmailDOTcom

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  5. For me, it was a toss up between 2 and 5. Five because sometimes more can be said with only a very few words. This story could go in so many different directions. But in the end, I chose two because in that one sentence you can envision someone’s whole life dissolving right before their eyes leading you to want to find out what direction their life goes and how this person’s life ends up on what promises to be a very bumpy ride.

    While I do visit or library some, it’s usually not very often. It’s a small one and I usually have lots of books already on my desk that need my attention.

    There are many factors that might decide my next book. It would be one highly recommended to me, a cover that grabs my attention and says “read me”, one I’ve promised to read from one source or another, or even just a favorite author of mine.

    Yes, I often check the first paragraph, especially if the back cover sounds amazing. It can give a hint into the story as well as the author’s way of righting. Love a first line that grabs your attention to see what happens next.

    Thank you for the chance to win a $10 Baker Bookhouse e-gift card!

    After letting some dear friends that live way out in the country the opportunity to have a yard sale here during our annual county wide sale and helping them out as much as possible, it’s going to be nice to have a day for some reading today – even it will be traveling. Headed down to put flowers on the family gravesites 2 1/2 hours away for the fall/winter. Now, I’m wondering why we selected today to do it (after the sale), but we had made arrangements to meet up with a nephew so off we go.

    Have a fabulous Sunday, whatever your day holds!

    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    1. Yes to #5 — I immediately want to know what’s she has done and how dire the backlash will be. Short but definitely intriguing. Surprised at all the votes for #2 which may end up being my next read, which will work out just fine since it’s due back this week.

      I know people who don’t ever read the back blurb and don’t want to know anything about a book before reading it. I am the exact opposite. I need to know a bit of what I’m getting into so the cover — art and blurb – are so important to me!

      Sounds like you’ve had a busy weekend so far. Glad you’ll be able to rest and read on your journey today. (Hopefully not while driving!) Good luck, Kay!

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  6. The second line has the biggest hook. I want to know what the name of the book is!

    I do have a library card; however, our library just reopened after being closed a year for a remodel and expansion. They added a whole new children’s wing and it’s fantastic. I would have never left there if I had had access to that many books back then. But I digress, since I mainly read ebooks I buy or borrow from KU most everything I read these days. There is a library ebook loan system, but I have yet to master it.

    I don’t spend the time you do wavering over the next book to read. If I’ve downloaded it, it has already passed the “I want to read it” test. I do try to switch up genres as this keeps my reading fresh with each book. I switch back and forth between contemporary, historical and suspense all the time.

    There’s a nor’easter over me, wind and rain, so online church it is. Then cozy reading in my favorite chair.

    Thanks for the giveaway Kav! tracey14567 atgmaildot com

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    1. I couldn’t stand the waiting, so I googled, lol. I’m not a big gothic reader but I may give this one a go. I’ll see what you say after you read and review 🙂

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      1. Bwahahaha! Trust our ace investigative reporter to source out the book! Maybe I should edit the post later tonight and add in the titles for those of you who want to know which books match which first sentence.

        That would be agonizing to have your library closed for a whole year! Excited that it’s back in business and better than ever though. KU is a great resource too but if your library ebook system is Libby or Hoopla (or both) it’s pretty easy to set up. A librarian could help you and then the access to books — wowzers, audio books too.

        I guess I have too many levels a poor books has to work it’s way through before it finally gets picked to be read. Poor things, all waiting hopefully in a pile at the the foot of bed. I wonder if they feel jealous about the book I finally pick? Is there bickering and jockeying for position of prominence on the pile? Do they quietly debate the merits of their first sentences in the dead of night when I’m sleeping? You see why it takes me so long to decide who to choose next? I don’t want to hurt any bookish feelings! 🙂

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  7. With no other context, #6.

    I use the library a lot – it only took about a month of living here for the librarians to know me by name, and I’m not chatty and rarely ask for help. Often I only have a couple books checked out at a time (making it pretty simple to choose), but it’s more because they never all come in at the same time and I live about a quarter mile away, so I can walk down and pick a book up within an hour of when it comes in (and likely return the one I just checked out the day or two before).

    rdalquist AT gmail DOT com

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    1. Ohhh, an outlier. Not only is that first sentence intriguing, I love the phrasing. Sounds like the kind of book you want to read aloud.

      I do so love an efficient library patron! Love living close to a library. I have all my life. Always within a half hour’s walking distance. It’s the first thing I look for before I move. My new home must be accessible to a library and, of course, a church. Good luck, Rachael!

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  8. I vote for #2, but #3 kinda sounds like Jaime Jo Wright (my fave!).  I do check out a lot of library books but only 7 or so at max unless the hold landslide happens when they all seem to show up at once.  I am currently holding 5 books hostage because I know I won’t get to finish them before they’re overdue.  One I will finish, Kristy Cambron’s The French Kitchen (very good), the rest will have to be returned & hopefully checked out again at a later date.  The holdup was 9 Net Galley books that I just need to  finish writing two reviews for. Anything else I asked the library to order will take quite some time, since it’s the end of their fiscal year and orders are on hold until the new year (whenever that is) which should clear me up to free range “mood read” like I usually do, maybe in November.  I don’t pay much attention to first lines (but maybe I should!).  I do occasionally sneak a peek at Reading is My Superpower’s First Line Friday blog.  It’s clean, but not all Christian fiction.

    perrianne ( DOT) askew (AT) me ( DOT) com

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    1. Is this the part where I confess the number of holds I have placed at my library? 108. 🙂 Ahem, anyway, at least I am contributing to the circulation stats for my library which is important because they use it to plan the budget. 🙂 And sometimes I put new release Christian Fiction on hold even though I’be bought a copy to increase it’s circulations status and prompts the book.

      I can see how Net Galley approvals can change the course of your reading life. It’s happened to me a time or two, though since I only apply for audio books that doesn’t happen very often. I like the phrase ‘free range’ applied to mood read. Gives me visions of us all strutting around a field full of books pecking at this one and that until we find the perfect morsel to gobble up. Bwahahaha! Good luck, Perrianne!

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      1. 108!!!!’ WOW!!!! I think 7-8 is the most I’ve checked out (but gradually, not all at once). Hold list maxed at 18 for me. Net Galley has dried up with most CF released in Sept/Oct. I love that you’re circulating CF, keep it up. I hope to gobble up some free range reading in November!

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  9. I’d pick line #2, with line #4 my second choice. I definitely would like to know more about those books. I choose my next book to read based on what I have checked out of the library and then like to vary the genres.

    My library system is the best and I use it extensively! It’s a district wide system with transfers between about 20 branches. I usually browse online then pick up the book at my local branch. I also check out a lot of books through Libby and Hoopla, both have a great selection of Christian fiction available. If a book isn’t available in the system I can submit up to 5 suggested purchases per month, many of which have been ordered.

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    1. Sounds like you have a system whereas I have a…kaffuffle of indecisions! lol Your library sounds similar to mine with the exception of Hoopla. Mine only has the movie feature – no books at all. I’m guessing it’s a cost issue? I actually paid for a library membership in a small town close to me because they had Hoopla with audiobooks and I was in heaven for a year and then they had to cut back too and – pouff, no more hoopla. Broke my bookish heart! Good luck, Sandy!

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  10. Thanks for making me giggle over the 44 books! I can just see the librarian’s face now. I needed that chuckle as my life resembles #4 this past few weeks. “Bleak. The weather, her mood, her life.” All of those! I’ve been to the Dr & got a shot of antibiotics for a UTI & now I really feel blah bc my digestive system isn’t happy. sigh…

    Ok, enough whining & complaining. As for your question, #2 sounds the most interesting. No wind off the dales makes it sound like a gothic regency perhaps?

    Since I read a lot of ebooks on my Kindle, the library has fallen by the wayside for me, I’m afraid. And I still use Netgalley, just not as much. I’m a mood reader & pick my reads accordingly. I may be in a suspensey mood, then switch over to historical, then a contemporary—whatever strikes my fancy.

    Oh, and something exciting happened Fri! You’ve read all of our rants about how Bethany House is only using professionals and librarians now for reviews. But I requested Nancy Mehl’s latest & BH approved it Fri!! What??? I’m on her launch team but didn’t want her to go to the trouble of mailing a pprbk. So this dreary, rainy afternoon after online church, you know what I’ll be doing!

    dianalflowers at aol dot com

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      1. Perrianne, yes! She was also back in the 1st book in the series Shattered Sanctuary. I’m glad I have it on my Kindle now & don’t need to wait on the paperback in the mail. I was shocked Bethany approved it!

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    3. I was referring to NetGalley & Bethany House requests, Kav. Yippee! BTW after I said something about librarians I got to wondering if they use them anymore to check out books or do they have a self checkout like Walmart? lol

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      1. We have self checkouts at my library and then if there’s a problem you can take it to the library desk. I imagine they would do check out for people who weren’t comfortable doing it themselves as well. Times they are a changing.

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      2. When you walk in, I’m sure the librarian is thankful for self checkouts. hahaha Then again I feel sorry for the one who has to put all the books back on the shelf that you’ve read. lol However, without readers like you there would be no need for libraries. So kudos to you!

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    4. Whee, I just saw Tracey’s comment and googled it as well! It wasn’t easy to find for some reason. I think I was right about the gothic part, but not sure if it’s a regency era. Inquiring minds want to know!

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    5. Ha, you may laugh, but the books in my TBR are not! I can feel their discontent rising even though I’m in another room. I have to make a decision quickly or they might revolt!

      Sorry you are having a bleak week. Praying your body sorts itself out quickly and you feel better soon.

      Looks like I’ll be reading book #2 unless their’s a flurry of other votes the rest of the day. It’s kind of fun to have y’all make decisions for dithery ol’ me! I’m a mood reader too, but I try to be more deliberate about selecting library book reads. I kind of moody my way through my audiobook choices though.

      Ah, yes, the perfect Sunday afternoon – being scared witless by Nancy Mehl! Eeeeeekkk! Well, the weather is cooperating with the ambience at least. It’s a glorious sunny autumn day here. Cool enough to make the walk to church invigorating but not cold enough to make it uncomfortable.

      That’s so neat that you got approval from Net Galley though. That was a nice way to end your yucky week. I got my first ever auto approved invitation to review a book. It came as an email and I thought it was spam and almost deleted it! Gasp!! But it was from the publicity team for my fave cozy mystery series — the Donna Andrews Christmas book that I just reviewed a week ago. I just had to click on a link and it flew me over Net Galley. I was that thrilled!!!! Good luck, Diane. Feel better!

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      1. Oh my! A book mutiny! Do be careful! 😳

        I started reading a little of another book before approval for Nancy’s so am reading both books at the same time. However, I’ve changed my mind & think I’ll refrain from being scared witless & stick to the other book today. Although the weather is absolutely conducive to Nancy’s, my tummy isn’t. Ugh-antibiotics. Sending hubby for some probiotics. Thanks for the prayers & well wishes!

        So glad you’re experiencing a nice perfect Fall reading day!! Awesome about the Donna Andrews auto-approval! EEP!!! NetGalley gave both of us a fabulous, shocking surprise!!

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  11. Number 3, to me, garners immediate attention and sets the tone. I love the library and have been a frequent patron for many years, and I have supported the Friends of the Library group. Many of my reads are from the library. I obtain information from the new releases section at the library, your blog, and author newsletters. Selections depend on needing a good, simple escape or wanting something more weighty to learn something.

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    1. You’re the first one to pick #3, I think it’s interesting because you could take it two ways — maybe dripping in sarcasm for a rom/com or take it at face value for mystery or suspense. Time will tell. 🙂 Yay for being a life long library patron! They are such an incredible resource I could never do without. Not just for books but other services and events they offer. I attended gardening seminars last spring which was loads of fun and they are actually hosting a seed exchange the end of this month. Good luck, CC!

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  12. Some good ones there! I would say #2 or #3. If I had to choose one, I would say #2.

    At this point I only use my library for access to the Libby app. I think the last time I was actually in the library was to renew my library card. It is also the location we go to for early voting when political season comes around.

    I pay no attention to first lines when choosing a book.

    I have no real method to choosing my next read. I do have a stack of about 8-10 books that I would really like to read, but I really just pick whatever suits my fancy at the moment. So if it’s not something from that stack, but something else from my packed bookshelves, so be it!

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    1. You sound like a more decisive reader than me. A brisk perusal of your books and ‘right, you’re next’ and you’re ready to read. I’m kind of envious. 🙂 Libby is an excellent resource since so many people read ebooks these days. Love the way libraries keep current with the times to meet the needs of their patrons. Good luck, Patty!

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  13. I choose #6 because I want to know why is it so silent? What one of building is it? Is it spooky or sad? Etc. My second choice is #2 because the person seems to be guessing at whether the woman is their mother??

    • I’m curious: are you a library user? How many books do you have checked out at time? – Not too much. I rarely use our physical library but I sometimes use the e-library via Libby. I do use Everand. It’s not a library but they have lots of CF.
    • How do you choose what will be your next read? – Typically by mood alone! Unless I have ARCs that need my attention. I have a number due this month. Il on my last or second last.
    • Do you pay attention to the lure (or not) of first sentences? – Yes, I do. If a book doesn’t capture me in the first chapter, I get concerned that it’s going to be a slow read. My general rule is to read 25% before I can DNF. I rarely DNF though.

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      1. Don;t you just love it when one measly ol’ sentence sparks a ton of questions? I’ll have to check out Everand. I’ve heard book tubers talk about it but I’ve never looked into it. I’m a mood reader too but sometimes I don’t know what mood I’m in and then I play the first sentence game and confuse everything into a hopeless muddle. lol

        I won’t dnf a book for a boring first sentence, but it may take longer for me to pick it up. And like you, I have a limit on how far I’ll read before giving up on a book. For me it’s usually three chapters. If I’m not hooked by then…well, I have this bulging TBR so….:-) Good luck, Tammy!

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  14. Definitely #2. Very intriguing. I would love to know which books these first lines came from! My local library is organized by author instead of genre, so because I only read Christian fiction, it keeps me from browsing too much, but my books at home are stacked pretty high and it can be hard to pick the next read. I’ll have to try the “read the first line” method. Currently reading Dee Henderson’s O Malley #5 – the Healer.

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    1. I’ll edit this post later this evening and add in the titles so you can all see which book belongs to which first sentence. Bet you’ll be surprised.

      My library is the same way — the Christian Fiction is shelved in with all the rest of the fiction, plus my branch doesn’t have a ton of CF though there’s quite a bit spread over all the other branches so I frequently check for new titles and put on holds. I also search the catalogue by genre and find books that way.

      I LOVE the O’Malley series. That’s iconic Christian Fiction — classics, all of them! Happy Reading, Rebecca and good luck!

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  15. I can totally see how you would be having a hard time deciding! I am between #2 and #3, so I think I will just vote 2. I love the library and have been there 3ish times this week, LOL. But, I only have 9 physical books out, and one Hoopla book, but I have some magazines as well, LOL! I would have more out but I am really trying hard to get my physical unread shelves lower. Have a great rest of your day!

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    1. It’s fun to see which first sentences lure us in. #2 definitely seems to the winner today. Guess I now know what I will be reading next. Yay, another multiple visits a week library user! And yes, to magazines. Must check them this week because the Christmas decorating and baking ones will be coming in. I noticed unread shelves as in plural. Happy sigh. Squirrels store up nuts for winter, we readers store up books. Makes total sense to me. 🙂 Good luck, Cindy!

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  16. I was drawn to both 2 and 5 but I’ll go with 2 for my vote. Makes me want to find out more about the narrator, the mother, the shop, and where they are 🙂 Will be interesting to see which one the group chooses for you 🙂

    I use the library when I don’t have a book in my stack that is really calling to me. I usually only check out one at a time but have been known to go crazy and get two 🙂

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

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    1. It’s looking like #2 is the winner so far. And it is an intriguing opening line – poses so many questions.

      GASP! Only one book checked out at a time?! I didn’t even know that was possible. I thought library books came by the dozen! Bwahahaha! Good luck, Cheryl!

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  19. Kav, these seven choices sound like ones I would enjoy too. My favorites are #5 & #6.

    Usually my mood determines my next read. However, reading challenges will narrow my choice.

    I live the next block over from my library. The staff is incredible. I use the Inter Library Loan service quite often.

    psalm103and138atgmaildotcom

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  20. I’m going with #6 because I love the poetry. Can’t wait to see what book that one is.

    I am sadly not much of a library user nowadays. I absolutely love them and weekly visits to my library were an integral part of my childhood, but now I pick books out of my personal library where my TBR pile needs its own room.

    As far as choosing my next read, if it’s not a book I need to review, I am a mood reader. To narrow down the choices from collection, I rotate alphabetically by author last name. I just finished a book by Kathleen Fuller, so my next mood read will be from an author with the last name of G. Gotta be organized somehow. 🙂

    I’m intrigued by first lines, but many times I have to read the first page to really decide if I want to go further.

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    1. Some of my fondest childhood memories are library visits! I was such a little bookworm! I love how many fellow mood readers are here. So many content creators on booktube plan TBRs for each month and I can’t wrap my head around the idea of planning out all your reads a month in advance. You have a very innovative way of narrowing down your book choices, though! Very unique. Good luck, Loraine!

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  21. #2, though it was hard to choose. I know that #2 is a really good book.

    I currently have two library books checked out. One or two books at a time is typical during the school year when I work. In the summer I sometimes will check out more at a time since I have more reading time.

    I know my next book will have to be my book club selection so I have it finished on time. I don’t pay much attention to first lines when selecting which book to read. I go more by mood or genre. I like to change things up.

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    1. The second one was by far the most popular today so I’ll be starting The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House today! Oh, to have your restraint! Only two library books out at a time! Good luck, Pam!

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  22. Would you believe I have read 1,2,4,5,6 and did not recognize any of them???
    I have one book checked out from the library. It is Pat Bradley’s Shadows of the Past. She suggested that I read it before her new book and I don’t own it.
    I mostly read by release date because I read for review. But if multiple books are released on the same date, I usually go with historical first, then suspense. This month has been crazy with so many books coming out. But December seems pretty sparse.
    I don’t usually pay attention to the first line, more so the back cover copy.

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    1. I guess we pay attention to first sentences as the lure to get us reading and then promptly forget about them once we’re totally into the story! I love reading back cover blurbs too — in fact, I have to read them before I open the book! It’s a compulsion. 🙂 Good luck, Paula!

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  24. I’ll say #2. It’s by one of my favorite authors and her books are always fantastic! I think I’ve read all of Joanna’s books. This one is great.

    I’m a library user, but I haven’t checked out any books lately. I used to go and check out a bunch at a time. I’m on a lot of launch/review teams now, so I have plenty to read. I usually just read whichever is next on my list. I do fit in a few others here and there–usually ones I’ve won. I read a lot of historical fiction and sometimes need an entirely different genre, so I’ll grab a contemporary rom-com or suspense book.

    I usually read the blurb on the back and choose books by that. I rarely check out the first line.

    whthomas13 at yahoo dot com

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    1. I’m looking forward to The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House now. I love learning how readers choose their next book and it’s great that you have enough review books to keep you busy! Good luck, Winnie!

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  25. #6 grabbed my attention

    I usually go to the library once a month as I have our BookClub meetings at the library.

    if I am making a list for my book of ladies to vote on I check out a lot of books preparing the voting list.

    I mainly do my library shopping online. I like to go to Amazon and get a sample of the first chapter and if they have an audiobook sample I sample that as well.

    I am persuaded to pick up a book by the author and also by the cover.

    I try not to read a book in the same genre I just finished. I try to read books that my BookClub ladies like and I do break out and read some books. I like to.

    fun discussion thank you for all you do

    NORA findingHope at yahoo

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    1. Yay for library book clubs. Sadly, I don’t jive with the books my library chooses for their book club so I’m not a member. I always check audio samples too because a narrator can make or break a book for more. If I don’t like the narration, I’ll go for a print copy instead. I try to vary my genre reading too, especially for giveaways on this blog, but sometimes I get in a certain mood and I can’t help myself. Right now I’m gearing up for Christmas so I keep grabbing Christmas books. lol Good luck, Nora!

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  26. Hi Kav, I’d pick the intriguing #2 opening line. I’m astounded that all of these titles are available at your library. It’s slim pickings for CF where I live. I’ve also missed my last two library holds because I was out of town when they were available. I’m on a library break atm and reading from other sources. 🙂

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    1. I think it’s neat that so many people chose #2. The power of an opening sentence! I’m thrilled over the amount of Christian Fiction I can get from my library. I live in a city so there are 33 branches and each branch orders their own books as well as getting system wide purchases so that gives me access to 33 libraries. Plus I can request up to five titles a month and my branch has purchased nearly all of my requests. Love my library! Happy Reading, Narelle.

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  28. I KNOW that #5 is a great read but I also suggest #1 because you can’t go wrong with a Jaime Jo Wright book. Tempest at Annabel’s Lighthouse is on my TBR list right now!

    I was a public librarian for almost 23 years so I know how important they are! I am still a library user but not as much as I once was because I’ve been blessed to be picked for several launch teams. I have quite a few books to promote in the next few weeks!

    Connie

    cps1950ATgmailDOTcom

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    1. That’s why I start to dither over what to read next – so many great authors in my TBR, it’s hard to decide. Jaime Jo Wright’s will get read soon too because her new one is out soon. Yay for librarians! And libraries! The best place to work, in my opinion! Good luck, Connie!

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  29. #2 sounds super intriguing!

    As for me, I only check out one or two library books for myself at a time. However, my kiddos have been known to check out 30-40 books at a time! I wish I had as much time to read as they do!

    Jolene – iwant2save34 at gmail dot com

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  30. I vote #7 And, I love my library! I currently have 4 books checked out and I thought that was a decent pile! 😂 I need to up my game! I also agree on first sentences. The first sentence of a book is so important in making me want to read it!
    manderley23 at gmail dot com

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  32. #2 is my pick–though, I’ve read five of the books you listed, and they were all excellent.

    Right now, I try to only check out 3-4 books at a time from my library because I’m also trying to whittle the towering tbr book stacks in my house. 😀 I’m more of a mood, so while I do appreciate an intriguing first sentence, I usually read the back cover summary to determine if I want to read a book or not.

    bookgurl60 at gmail dot com

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      1. Yay for towering TBR stacks, they are such a comfort. And an excellent resource for a mood reader like yourself. I’m nearly finished #2, thanks to everyone voting for it. Whoa — I was unexpecting, well, any of it! Good luck, Elizabeth!

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  33. I know I’m late to the party with my comment, I don’t know where this week has gone! But, I vote for option 2! As far as libraries go, I’m more addicted to my local used bookshop than my library. Thankfully it’s about an hour away, otherwise I’d go too often. 😜

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    1. Option 2 won the popularity vote and has now been read. You were all right. 🙂 Ohhh, love bookstores too. I don’t have any used bookstores close to me but there is one two bus rides away which I’ve been meaning to check out. Just worried about how hard it will be to lug all the books home on the bus. bwahahaha — Good luck, Sabrina!

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