Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Six Strings - Teaser Tuesday and First Chapter / First Paragraph

six-strings_itunes
A story about a 17-year-old who travels through time doesn't sound like the kind of book I'd like, but I really enjoyed Six Strings. The reason? The characters. Jen Sanya Williamson did an excellent job of going deep into the protagonist's head--showing her insecurities, hopes, fears, and strengths. Williamson's bio says she teaches junior high school, and that comes across in her realistic dialogue. I could easily hear those high school kids talking. Her descriptions brought the settings to life too, both in present day and back in 1973. Although I'm not the genre's target audience, I was drawn into the plot. This was an enjoyable, nicely edited read.

FYI: Six Strings is the first book in a series, and although the story is complete, lots of issues were not resolved in this volume. 

First Paragraph:
I am running out of time. That thought tugs at the corner of my mind a lot these days, but right now, as I speed somewhat erratically toward downtown Tucson, I am definitely running out of time. If I don't make it back home before my mother, I'm dead.

Teaser (from 15% on my Kindle): 
My mom thinks there is something wrong with me. I can tell by the way she studies me sometimes. Like she's wondering, where did you come from?

Genre: Young Adult (Time Travel)
Length: 216 pages
Amazon Link: Six Strings

Synopsis from Goodreads:
      Riley Witt is running out of time.
      Battling Alzheimer’s disease, Riley’s grandmother Mary suffers from memory loss, mood swings, and a tendency to wander off.
      As senior year approaches, Riley has to face the reality that the one person she depends on most is slowly fading. Making matters worse, when Mary does remember the past, she tells tales of time travel and visions. As Mary’s version of the past gets more confused, Riley knows they are running out of time together.
      But when Riley discovers a guitar belonging to a famous rock star at Mary’s house, the truth behind the crazy tales finally comes out.
      SIX STRINGS tells the story of Riley’s journey back to 1973 where she enters a world of music, long-lost family, and first love. Her adventure is all about discovering her past, understanding her present, and figuring out how to step into her future.
 



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34 comments:

  1. The title is interesting! But there is no music in the teaser. Is the character so weird than?

    https://storytreasury.wordpress.com/2015/02/03/teaser-tuesday-night-blooming

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    1. A guitar definitely plays an important part in the story.

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  2. Anything that hints at time-travel is a novel I would pick up. Thanks for putting this one on my radar. Great teaser :)

    My Teaser this week

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    1. This is only the second time-travel novel I've ever read, but now I think I'll look for more!

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  3. It sounds interesting. I like the way the girl described herself in the teaser. I think for a lot of kids that would be a familiar feeling. Something that they would even remember after becoming grownups, once they saw the description.
    Thanks for coming by My Teaser

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    1. The author did a great job of making her characters realistic. I think that's why I was able to really get into the story.

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  4. Nice teasers! This one sounds really good. I'll have to check this one out. Thank you for stopping by. :)

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  5. I'm definitely intrigued and based on your sampling, the writing is strong. This is going on my wishlist.

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    1. I hope you enjoy it. I think the author captured the way teenagers think -- lots of drama, as evidenced by "I'm dead."

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  6. For a minute I thought she might be her own grandmother. Then I did some math.

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  7. I see why you'd like this book! I think the author's experience as a high school teacher must help in writing her dialogue. However, I think I'd have to read a bit more before I could say whether it was one for me! Thanks for stopping by :) I hope you have a great week!
    Juli @ Universe in Words

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    1. This book was completely different from what I usually read, but I did enjoy it.

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  8. You make it sound good, I'd have to read a bit more before deciding. Have a nice week. kelley—the road goes ever ever on

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    1. I often "look inside" on Amazon and read a little bit before deciding whether or not to buy a book. Bad grammar turns me off, so if I see errors in the sample, I probably won't buy the book. Someone did a good job proofreading this book.

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  9. Time travel can be hard to get right, but I do enjoy books that include it now and then. I think what draws me to this one is the way you described how well developed the characters are.

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  10. Wow, this one does sound good. I love how a book that we wouldn't normally read can draw us in with great characters. Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.

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    1. Lately I've been trying to read different genres, so I decided to give this book a chance.

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  11. LOL I imagine a lot of parents look at their kids that way. I'm not into time travel books but this does sound interesting. I'm curious about why that title.

    My TT - http://fuonlyknew.com/2015/02/03/teaser-tuesdays-100-one-more-day-what-if-tommorrow-never-happens/

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    1. A guitar does play a part in the story, but if its role had been mentioned in the blurb, that might have given away too much.

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  12. At first glance, this doesn't sound like something I'd enjoy. Time travel isn't really my thing. But the synopsis actually sounds pretty interesting.

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    1. I have a feeling that I read the book's opening on someone's First Chapter/First Paragraph post and found it appealing. This group adds so many books to my TBR pile!

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  13. Sounds interesting...I'm glad you were pleasantly surprised.

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  14. I'm not much of a YA or time travel reader, but this sounds interesting.

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  15. WOW, that is some intro, but I tend to shy away from time travel. Hope u enjoy this one.

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  16. Sounds like this one might surprise me too, Sandra. 1973 would take me back to younger days and I even had a grandmother with - what they called dementia back then and could well have been Alzheimer's.

    Thanks for stopping by my TT for one of Beaton's Hamish Macbeth tales at http://wp.me/pZnGI-iW

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  17. Wow, this looks really good! It's going straight to the TBR pile.

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  18. I like the intro. It's been awhile since I read a time travel novel, and this one looks good! I'd keep reading!

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  19. I haven't seen this one before. Sounds interesting! I might have to check it out.

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  20. sounds really interesting Sandy...though I must admit that I am not much of a YA reader:)

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  21. I don't usually read contemporary settings, but this sounds intriguing. I might check it out! Thanks for visiting my Teaser post.

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  22. Nice teaser! Thanks for stopping by!

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  23. Great teasers! Sounds like an interesting book. I'm usually a big fan of time travel books. Happy to hear you're enjoying this! Thanks for sharing (:

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  24. That must be a pretty awful feeling... that the mom looks like she wonders where her child came from :( I hope you're enjoying Six Strings, Sandra!

    Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews

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