Monday, February 8, 2016

The Giver - Teaser Tuesday and First Chapter / First Paragraph

I don't often read science fiction or young adult novels, but after seeing the opening paragraph and synopsis of The Giver on someone's blog, I decided to give this book a try. I was blown away by this story! No wonder the book has won all kinds of awards. I highly recommend The Giver for readers of all ages. It is Book 1 in the Giver Quartet, and I'm looking forward to reading the rest ASAP.
FYI: I understand this book was made into a movie but when I watched the trailer, it seemed to encompass more than the story told in this book. Perhaps it is based on all the books in the series.

First Paragraph:
     It was almost December, and Jonas was beginning to be frightened. No. Wrong word, Jonas thought. Frightened meant that deep sickening feeling of something terrible about to happen. Frightened was the way he had felt a year ago when an unidentified aircraft had overflown the community twice. He had seen it both times. Squinting toward the sky, he had seen the sleek jet, almost a blur at its high speed, go past, and a second later heard the blast of sound that followed. Then one more time, a moment later, from the opposite direction, the same plane.

Teaser (from 51% on my Kindle):
"Our people made that choice, the choice to go to Sameness. Before my time, before the previous time, back and back and back. We relinquished color when we relinquished sunshine and did away with differences."

Genre: Young Adult / Science Fiction
Book Length: 204 Pages
Amazon Link: The Giver
More Books by This Author: Amazon Author Page

Synopsis (from Goodreads):
The haunting story centers on Jonas who lives in a seemingly ideal, if colorless, world of conformity and contentment. Not until he is given his life assignment as the Receiver of Memory does he begin to understand the dark, complex secrets behind his fragile community. Lois Lowry has written three companion novels to The Giver, including Gathering Blue, Messenger, and Son.

Read a National Public Radio (NPR) interview with the author here: Lois Lowry Interview. There's also an audio interview included here.

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Miz B of A Daily Rhythm. Post two sentences from somewhere in a book you're reading. No spoilers, please!




First Chapter/First Paragraph/Tuesday Intros is hosted by Bibliophile By The Sea. To participate, share the first paragraph (or a few) from a book you're reading or thinking about reading soon.
Link at BibliophileByTheSea



Twitter: @SandyNachlinger
Facebook: sandy.nachlinger

31 comments:

  1. Oh I know that is a beloved book, but I have such trouble with SF that I haven't bothered to read it. The opener didn't capture my attention.

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  2. This is definitely a popular book. I think my daughter had to read it years ago for school. Somehow, it has never appealed to me, which is probably a loss on my part. Perhaps one day.

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  3. I'm not a SF fan at all, but feel like I "should" give this book a try. Hope you like it.

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  4. I liked this one even though I'm not a SF fan but, it felt like a book I should read.

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  5. I've seen the preview for this movie. LIke you I don't read much YA or sci-fi. Enjoy! I hope you can stop by:

    http://collettaskitchensink.blogspot.com/2016/02/teaser-tuesday-betting-on-hope-2916.html

    Colletta

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  6. I started to watch the movie, but didn't finish. The excerpts sound intriguing, though, and maybe I should give the book a try. Thanks for sharing.

    Here's mine: “THE PASSENGER”

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  7. I read this so many years ago. I really should re-read it as I remember so little of it. I am glad you liked it!

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  8. This has been on my to read list since it was announced as World Book Night book. Girl Who Reads

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  9. I think one reason I enjoyed this book so much is that it is so completely different from what I've been reading lately..

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  10. I read this book for school in 8th grade, and I liked it a lot. I wonder how I'd see it as an adult...

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  11. I've read this a couple of times. Excellent book.

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  12. Science fiction is not a comfortable genre for me either. However, I have set a project for myself to read all the books that won the Newberry Medal. I'm working my way backward. After reading your remarks, I'm now looking forward to this one.

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  13. I've been curious about this book. I love the writing, so I'd keep reading!

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  14. This sounds like a good read!I hope you're enjoying it :D

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  15. Great teaser! The Giver is one I still have to read!
    Thanks for visiting my teaser!

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  16. Thank you for stopping by earlier - I appreciate you taking the time... And I'm VERY glad I swung by your site - it's a bonus to find a sci fi book during TT! And this one is right up my street. Unlike some of your other visitors, I've never read this one and it looks like I should put it on my TBR pile - although it's dangerously teetering... I hope you continue to enjoy it.

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  17. This was my frist dystopian read! I'm so glad you enjoyed it Sandra :) You will not regret reading the other books in the series, they are just as engrossing :)

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  18. There's probably no real resemblance, but there's something about the synopsis that reminds me of Payton Place. Plus time travel.

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  19. Good selection for something different! Lois Lowry is featured in the "special features" part of the DVD (film adaptation) of this book and storyline. She gave the rare blessing of an author on another medium's take on her work.

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  20. Great TT! I've never read this book, but now you've got me interested.

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  21. I love The Giver! I read it two years ago with my teenage son. I really enjoyed it (and so did he). I need to continue the series. I thought the movie was good too. My husband isn't a reader so him and I watched it together.

    Thank you for stopping by my teaser.

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  22. This sounds good although this isn't a genre I'd usually pick.

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  23. You're right, it definitively looks interesting!

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  24. The last line of your teaser makes me think of what people will give up in the name of security and then perhaps regret later. I haven't read the book yet. I've wondered about it when I've seen it.

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  25. I'm not familiar with this novel but you've made it sound very interesting. Thanks for visiting my blog yesterday.

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  26. I remember reading snippets of this book in the library, but I don't think I've read the whole thing. I guess I should!

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  27. Not sure that this would be my kind of thing:) But it is a good taser, for sure.

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  28. Giving up color? That sounds a little bleak. I've never read this book though my husband did when he was younger. He really liked it. Maybe I should pick it up. Thanks for visiting The Coffee Pot Review. :) Great teaser!

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  29. I have never read The Giver, but the writing seems like something I would enjoy. Very descriptive!

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  30. Great choice of teaser! I'm a big fan of the Giver, it makes me want to re-read it (: Thanks for sharing!

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