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The Friday 56 (With Book Beginnings): The Summer That Melted Everything by Tiffany McDaniel


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 one of my current reads, The Summer That Melted Everything by Tiffany McDaniel.  I've been hearing so many good things about this one lately, and I'm really enjoying the style so far.  In a way, it reminds me of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird as if it was told by Neil Gaiman - I never expected that that combination could work, but it really is so far.  Also, the author is from my home state of Ohio and it's set in the fictional Ohio town of Breathed (pronounced "Breath-ed", not "Breathed" as in the past tense of breathing)!

Beginning:

The heat came with the devil.  It was the summer of 1984, and while the devil had been invited, the heat had not.  It should have been expected, though.  Heat is, after all, the devil's name, and when's the last time you left home without yours.

56:

People think hell is about flames and demons, but I employ no demons.  There are fires, yes, each door burns.  I've started none of these fires, not even the one that burns my own door.  And just as I cannot put out my own, I cannot put out theirs.

Comments

  1. This sounds like a great book, Lauren. I've heard about it before. It's nearly summer here, so I'll wait to read it. (Who am I kidding, I've got so much to read, I won't get to it before summer!) Here's Dead in the Water by Irna van Zyl, which I'll be reading this weekend.

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    1. This summer has been a scorcher so it really fits here! Thanks for sharing!

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  2. Sounds a bit too poetic and sometimes the writing can turn me off, even though it sounds like a great book. I would have to be in the right mood to read it. Happy reading.
    sherry @ fundinmental Friday Memes

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    1. I can understand that - during the story the main character is supposed to be 13, but he's telling it when he's in his 80s.

      Thanks for sharing, Sherry!

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  3. Wha ha ha!! Loved your gif!!! So funny. I soooo want to read this one. It hurts! Need to get my hands on it.... Thanks for sharing and I hope you will have a good weekend. Here's my Friday Meets: http://marelithalkink.blogspot.co.za/2016/09/friday-meets-another-one-down-drain.html

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    1. Thanks! I hope you have a good one too! You can't go wrong with Wreck It, Ralph. :)

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  4. Great excerpts, and I like imagining the writer combining the styles of Gaiman and Harper Lee.

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

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  5. I read this one, but wasn't blown away by it. Don't get the Harper Lee reference either... Love Harper Lee but not Tiffany McDaniel...
    Happy Labor Day weekend!

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  6. I haven't heard of this book. It sounds like a serious story, and I'd have to be in the right mood to read it. I like the beginning.
    My Friday post features BAREFOOT AT SUNSET.

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    1. I can see what you mean by that. Thanks for sharing, Sandra!

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  7. This sounds really different - have never seen it before - and it was hot as hell this summer where I live so I feel as if I can commiserate with the writer about the heat - lol - here's my Friday meme

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  8. I believe this title is about where I live. It can get so hot, I'm so happy fall is coming. I love the way you describe this one (if Neil Gaiman wrote To Kill a Mockingbird) and will now be adding it to the TBR based on this description alone. Happy Labor Day weekend!

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    1. Woo! Glad I could pique your interest! Thanks, Alicia! Hope you have a great weekend, too.

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  9. What an interesting sounding book and the quotes, wow. Just wow. Glad you are enjoying the book.

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  10. I have not heard of this one before, but it sounds really interesting. Thanks for mentioning it. :-)

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  11. So visual, Satan's little helpers... The heat fits in with the drought we've been having in SoCal. Praying for rain! Happy reading!

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    1. Totally fits in with the humid heat here in Ohio, too.

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  12. It was so hot this past summer, I can relate to this book!

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  13. Yes that GIF c': but I haven't read this book, I feel like I'd really have to be in the right kind of mood to sit down and read it.

    Amy;
    Little Moon Elephant

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  14. It was so hot this past summer, I can relate to this book!

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  15. Summer has just about ended here so it will be interesting reading this book in Winter (let's be honest I probably won't get to it until then ahah). I hope you enjoy it!
    Enchanted by YA

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  16. We had a very hot summer, but I loved it.

    ENJOY your book, and thanks for stopping by my blog earlier.

    Elizabeth

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  17. This book sounds intriguing. I saw your comment on my blog today so came right over to say hi.

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  18. This sounds great and I love that cover!

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  19. I don't think I've heard of this one, but it sounds great!! Enjoy!

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  20. This sounds like a good story. I must check it out.

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