Friday, May 30, 2014

Friday 56 and Book Beginnings













It's Fridays so I'm linking up with Rose City Reader for Book Beginnings and Freda's Voice for The Friday 56.

Today's book is Arthur Hailey's Hotel.  This book was published in the mid-60s and went on to inspire a movie and a television series.  Hailey also wrote the book Airport which inspired a movie and sequels and my personal favorite - the spoof Airplane.  I almost didn't pick this book up when I saw it on NetGalley but I was intrigued by the idea of a look inside the workings of a large independent hotel in New Orleans over 5 days.  I've been really enjoying it and look for my review on Monday!

Book Beginning:


"If he had had his way, Peter McDermott thought, he would have fired the chief house detective long ago.  But he had not had his way and now, once more, the obese ex-policeman was missing when he was needed most."

Friday 56:

The rules are pretty simple - go to page 56 or 56% and pick a line that grabs you (no spoilers!)
Here's mine:

"Compared with the normal easygoing method of handing out room keys, today the desk clerks were being cautious.  As guests requested keys, the clerks asked names, then checked the answers against a registration list.  Undoubtedly, Keycase reasoned, his coup of early this morning had been reported, with security tightened as a result."

So what do you think?  Would you keep reading?


34 comments:

  1. I remember when Hailey was hot but I don't think I've ever read any of his books. If I have, I don't remember it. I may have to check one out.

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    1. Hailey was always one of those names but not one I ever felt impelled to read. I really enjoyed this one which was a nice surprise!

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  2. Yes, now I remember, too, but like Bea, haven't read the books. Now I'm intrigued. Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.

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    1. You definitely should give it a try! I was very pleasantly surprised by this one!

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  3. I remember, too, but I haven't read them either. This one does sound interesting, though.

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    1. It really was interesting! I liked all the details about the inner workings and internal politics.

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  4. Wonderful beginning and great 56!! I loved the cover. Worth picking it up!!

    Here is my Friday 56 post!!

    AND

    Here is my Book Beginning post!!

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  5. When the TV series was on I didn't even know about this book. I still haven't read it. Shame on me.

    Thanks for visiting The Busy Mom's Daily.

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    1. That's okay - I didn't realize until recently that Hitchcock's The Birds was based on a short story and one by one of my favorite authors no less! I'm kind of interested to see the show after reading the book.

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  6. I would keep reading - I can say that I've been where Peter was in that first sentence.
    TFS! Here is mine:
    http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/

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    1. It doesn't get any better for Peter for awhile! Plus, he's just so nice you want to root for him. I've definitely been there too which I think helps make him so easy to relate to.

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  7. Keep reading because the cover art is so cool and the hotel drama is sure to unfold at a good pace!

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    1. It definitely does unfold pretty quickly! I finished it last night and definitely enjoyed it!

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  8. Okay, I have to admit, at first I thought this was a front cover of the Palace of Versailles, but then I read the title Hotel and laughed out loud; literally. I can't even begin to imagine the scandals that could be written in a book with a title like this! XD

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    1. It does have a very Palace of Versailles vibe on the cover! The scandals were pretty good both among the guests and the staff!

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  9. Sounds like a great suspense!

    Happy weekend!

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  10. I loved that book! And I am always in the mood for shaggy 1970s sagas in the summer. Thanks for posting the beginning on BBOF!

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    1. This one's set in New Orleans and you can all but feel the humidity. Definitely a good summer read!

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    1. He's actually one of the least scandalous! The Duke and Duchess... Wow!

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  12. I like the sound of this one. I love the name of your blog! Thanks for visiting mine too.

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  13. It has been so long since I read The Hotel ... perhaps it is time to reread it.
    So glad you stopped by to visit my site, glad to have found yours.

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    1. I enjoyed it and was surprised with how undated it felt even though it hadn't been re-edited at all.

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  14. I loved this book back in the day and the tv series. Thanks for the invoking pleasant memories and for visiting my blog.

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    1. Oh you're welcome! I must confess Hailey was a little before me so I hadn't really come across him until this book re-release but now I'm definitely going to have to look for his other books.

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  15. Wait - they have old books on NetGalley? I had no idea!

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    1. This is a re-release so that's why they had it listed. Thankfully they don't! I'm not sure how much trouble I'd get in if they had old books as well as new.

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  16. I am absolutely clueless about this book or it's author….i think I'm showing my age here >.<

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    1. That's all right. To be honest the only reason I'm familiar with Hailey because he was always in used bookstores where I used to spend a lot of time. To be honest he's a bit before my time as well!

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  17. I am wracking my brain trying to remember if I have ever seen the show. It sounds familiar, but I can't exactly remember it. I am sure I had no idea it was based on a book. I hope you enjoy the book!

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    1. I hate when I can't remember something! I've done that with books and movies that I think I've seen/read but it also could be just because I've heard so much about it. After reading the book I'm really curious about the show and the movie.

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