The Rules of Magic, by Alice Hoffman (Simon & Schuster, October 2017). These are the book's first sentences:
Once upon a time, before the whole world changed, it was possible to run away from home, disguise who you were, and fit into polite society. The children's mother had done exactly that.
About the Book:
"For the Owens family, love is a curse that began in 1620, when Maria Owens was charged with witchery for loving the wrong man.
Hundreds of years later, in New York City at the cusp of the sixties, when the whole world is about to change, Susanna Owens knows that her three children are dangerously unique.
From the start Susanna sets down rules for her children: No walking in the moonlight, no red shoes, no wearing black, no cats, no crows, no candles, no books about magic. And most importantly, never, ever, fall in love. But when her children visit their Aunt Isabelle, in the small Massachusetts town where the Owens family has been blamed for everything that has ever gone wrong, they uncover family secrets and begin to understand the truth of who they are. Back in New York City each begins a risky journey as they try to escape the family curse."
Initial Thoughts:
I read Hoffman's Practical Magic a few years back and loved it. The Rules of Magic is the second book about Franny and Jet, the Owens sisters, and their very unique family -- actually a prequel to that earlier book. I've been looking forward to this one, and hoping it turns out to be as good as its predecessor. I'm about a third of the way through now, and so far I'm enjoying it almost as much as I'd hoped. Enough to go on reading, anyway.
Rose City Reader hosts Book Beginnings on Friday. As she says, the idea is to post the first sentence (or so) of the book you're currently reading, along with any first impressions or thoughts you have about the book, the author, etc. It's a wonderful way of adding new books to your must-read list, and a chance to connect with other readers and bloggers.
