Rules:
* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of this blog.
*Post a link along with your post back to this blog.
* Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.
Even though we can never help them all,I feel my mind flying and glowingalong with the winged creaturesthat we have rescuedas they soar away, free . . .
p. 56 The Firefly Letters: A Suffragette's Journey to Cuba by Margarita EnglePage 56 had only one complete sentence but it captures the essence of this book based on the true story of Swedish women's rights activist Fredrika Bremer's three-month visit to Cuba in 1851. The speaker in the above sentence is Cecelia, a slave at the mansion where Fredrika is staying. A few other short excerpts that struck me:
Cecilia, again:
I just want to breathewithout gasping for airand love my babywithout strugglingto understand theimpossible future.
And Elena, the young daughter of the mansion owners:
My mind soarsand whirlsin a danceof wild fearand graceful hope.
Book Beginnings on Friday is a meme hosted by Becky at Page Turners. Anyone can participate; just share the opening sentence of your current read, making sure that you include the title and author so others know what you're reading. If you like, share with everyone why you do, or do not, like the sentence.Biblioburro: A True Story from Columbia by Jeanette Winter is such a lovely picture book that I decided to share it for this week's Book Beginnings. Luis loves to read so much that he decides to get two burros and share his books with children all over rural Columbia. (Biblioteca is Spanish for library.).Deep in the jungles of Columbia, there lives a man who loves books.
The Firefly letters sounds really good and the cover is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI'm really liking the excerpts from Firefly letters. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMy Friday 56 is up as well. You are welcome to visit.
Great excerpts! Hope you're enjoying the book.
ReplyDeleteHere's mine:
Click my name for the URL
My Friday 56 from Self Love by Robert H. Schuler:
ReplyDelete"When we love ourselves we project this radiant well-being into those around us. (Just as surely as when we dislike ourselves, we "take it out" on those with whom we come in contact.) Love yourself and you will find yourself loving the people around you. Love the people around you, and you will find yourself loving God. Love God, and you will find yourself conquering, with His help, the restrictive forces of negative thinking. Worry, resentment, fear, anxiety begin to leave you.