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The Friday 56 (With Book Beginnings): Everybody Smokes in Hell by John Ridley


Welcome to The Friday 56, a weekly meme hosted by Freda's Voice.

These are the rules:
1. Grab a book, any book.
2. Turn to page 56, or 56% on your eReader.
3. Find any sentence (or a few, just don't spoil it) that grabs you.
4. Post it.
5. Add the URL to your post in the link on Freda's most recent Friday 56 post.


I'm also taking part in Book Beginnings, a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader.  The rules are pretty simple - you share the first sentence or so and your initial thoughts, impressions, or whatever else it inspires.  Don't forget to link up your post's url with Rose City Reader.



This week I'm spotlighting my current read, Everybody Smokes in Hell by John Ridley.  I picked this up at a this up at a thrift store not too long ago because it sounds like a good modern noir - and I've always enjoyed noir (although it's usually set in the 30s-50s).  I haven't gotten very far but if the snippets and what I have mean anything I think I'll enjoy it.

Book Beginnings:

Hollywood was what the sign said.  Said it in giant white letters.  Said it big as every dream of every dreamer who ever came Tinseltowning.  Said it for all the world to see, when anyone could see it at all through the overcoat of smog that kept the city of Los Angeles bundled up tight.

56:

A phone call.

Just one phone call.

And now Paris was one of them.  Almost.  Would be with the cash he was about to collect.  Paris would be a million dollars' worth of somebody.

Comments

  1. Well, the writing style is certainly noire-esque. I agree, it's difficult to find contemporary novels written in this style. I wonder if authors feel like they're stealing some else's voice? I don't see it that way, but you never know what people are thinking in the creative arts.

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    Replies
    1. I know - I've wondered the same thing. I do wish there were more written in the style these days. :)

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  2. Replies
    1. I finished it the other day and you can say that again!

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  3. I love the description of "the overcoat of smog that kept the city of Los Angeles bundled up tight."

    Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.

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  4. Hollywood is a great noir setting...enjoy the read!

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  5. I love the atmosphere of noir films and the like. Hope you enjoy!

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  6. This has a very classic Hollywood film feel to it. I love how descriptive the writing is! Hope you enjoy it!

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  7. I am not so sure about this one. Here is Friday 56
    http://totallyaddictedtoreading.blogspot.com/2015/09/friday-56-12.html

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  8. I laughed out loud at that title. And the cover is awesome. I'd like to know what was said in that phone call. Definitely something I'd like to read.
    Thanks for stopping by my 56 and have a great weekend.

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    Replies
    1. That was my reaction when I saw it at the thrift store!

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  9. I am impressed by the quotes and the idea of reading a Noir mystery. I am a day behind on my comments. Yesterday didn't unroll as I thought it would. It ended in the emergency room for dogs. Sigh.
    My Friday Quotes

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  10. Interesting. It sounds like a very mysterious book. I hope you enjoy it. :)

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  11. Pretty intriguing snippets!!
    Hope you had a great weekend!

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