Sheila over at Book Journey is once again hosting the "First Book of the Year" event. My pick last year turned out to be a hot mess and so did my year so fingers crossed that this year's pick will turn out to be a much better selection!
My first book of 2018 is going to be The Listener by Robert McCammon.
I've done a decent job at shielding myself from the plot, but I'll include the Goodreads blurb here so you can see what it's about. (McCammon is an auto-read for me so I prefer to go into it blind.)
1934. Businesses went under by the hundreds, debt and foreclosures boomed, and breadlines grew in many American cities.
In the midst of this misery, some folks explored unscrupulous ways to make money. Angel-faced John Partlow and carnival huckster Ginger LaFrance are among the worst of this lot. Joining together they leave their small time confidence scams behind to attempt an elaborate kidnapping-for-ransom scheme in New Orleans.
In a different part of town, Curtis Mayhew, a young black man who works as a redcap for the Union Railroad Station, has a reputation for mending quarrels and misunderstandings among his friends. What those friends don't know is that Curtis has a special talent for listening... and he can sometimes hear things that aren't spoken aloud.
One day, Curtis Mayhew's special talent allows him to overhear a child's cry for help (THIS MAN IN THE CAR HE'S GOT A GUN), which draws him into the dangerous world of Partlow and LaFrance.
This gritty depression-era crime thriller is a complex tale enriched by powerfully observed social commentary and hints of the supernatural, and it represents Robert McCammon writing at the very top of his game.
A friend was sweet enough to send me her ARC. Since it doesn't release until February, I've been holding on to it until 2018. I try not to read any books before the year they are published in case they wind up being a "best of the year" book. I always have the highest of hopes!
Do you have a special book planned for the first book of the year? I'd love to hear what you will be reading!
Oh good pick! I have a couple books I received from a publisher by McGammon - I've never read him before, but I gotta say your praises for him have not gone unnoticed. He's definitely on my list for 2018!
ReplyDelete~Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum
:D I hope you do get a chance to read something by him.
DeleteI hope it’s a good one. My first book of 2017 was a bust too. I hope whatever I pick is great.
ReplyDeleteI hope your next book is a great pick, too, Jenny.
DeleteI started a few at the end of last year so they'll be completed in the next few days...zombies, political cartoons and a Game of Thrones!
ReplyDeleteI've had to stop myself from starting something new the last couple of days. It's been pretty tough! Game of Thrones will definitely keep you busy for a while. I'm not sure I will ever tackle that series.
DeleteI hope you love your first book of 2018. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pat. Happy New Year!
DeleteI read a book by this author a long time ago (fifteen years?) and loved it. I was just thinking about this book the other day. I want to reread it, I think. It’s Boy’s Life.
ReplyDeleteI hope you love this book!
Deb, Boy's Life is my favorite book of all time. You should definitely read it again. :) I'm hoping to read it again soon, too.
DeleteIt sounds like a good one, enjoy it! I think I'll start 2018 with a historical romance.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I hope you have a great first read!
DeleteOoh, ooh! Is Robert McCammon the author of Boy's Life? That was a fantastic audiobook! I need to add more of his books to my TBR list. Thanks for selecting this and putting him back on my radar! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteYeeeess! :) Boy's Life is amazing. I'm glad I could remind you of McCammon. Happy New Year!
DeleteThe anticipation of reading a favorite author as a first read makes it all the more exciting. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThanks! :)
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ReplyDeleteYour choice sounds amazing. Not a setting I would usually pick but the blurb is compelling. I also went with historical fiction.
ReplyDeletehttps://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2018/01/first-book-of-year-2018-mayflower-bride.html
It's an amazing read so far.
DeleteOoh, sounds like a good one! I just want to jump right into your photo. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteHaha. Come on in! I still have plenty of marshmallows. :) Happy New Year!
DeleteI always have high hopes too, I am starting to think my last book of the year should be my 1st as they have always been excellent but great end to the year I guess. Happy New Year Jennifer
ReplyDeleteYou are really on to something Marce. My last book the last couple of years have been some of my best reads. Happy New Year!
DeleteSounds like a good one! The hint of the supernatural has me intrigued. I've never read McCammon.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!!!
McCammon has the touch. Happy New Year!
DeleteFirst Book of the Year sounds like a fun event! I'll try to remember it for next year! a touch of supernatural is always good! Happy New year Jennifer!
ReplyDeleteIs that hot chocolate? AND marshmallows? Can I come over?!
ReplyDeleteNice pick for your first book of the year. I am also reading a new release and hope to finish it before that release date.
Nice - I'm going to start the second Katherine Arden book next - The Girl in the Tower.
ReplyDeleteLynn :D
Oooo, you're so lucky! Enjoy it. I hear it is fantastic.
ReplyDeleteSo is your first book of the year turning out to be good? :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I've told you before that "Swan Song" is one of my favorite novels. I've read some other stuff by McCammon as well, though not all.
ReplyDeleteThe first book of 2018 for me is "Napoleon: A Life." So far, it's fascinating. I didn't know very much about Napoleon's life, so it's been great to learn about. That dude was epic.