Book Beginnings – The Binding by Bridget Collins

Hey Booklovers! Happy Friday! Today I’m trying something a bit new, and am joining in on Book Beginnings! This is a weekly post hosted by Rose City Reader – you can find the original post here. Book Beginnings is where we share the first line or so of our current read, and then talk about our impressions so far etc.

So the book I have literally just started this morning is The Binding by Bridget Collins.

Opening Sentences 

When the letter came I was out in the fields, binding up my last sheaf of wheat with hands that were shaking so much I could hardly tie the knot. It was my fault we had to do it the old-fashioned way, and I’d be damned if I was going to give up now; I had battled through the heat of the afternoon, blinking away the patches of darkness that flickered at the sides of my vision, and now it was nightfall and I was almost finished. 

First Impressions

I’m already intrigued about the letter (although from the synopsis I already know what it is), but it still has me excited as this means the book is going to be diving in quickly to the story line – which I am all for. I am also keen to know why doing it the old-fashioned way is the MC’s ‘fault’! So far, I’m keen to see how this book pans out. I’m super excited for this book anyway as it sounds amazing!

Synopsis

For those who want to have a read of the synopsis here it is (Courtesy of Amazon):

Imagine you could erase your grief.
Imagine you could forget your pain.
Imagine you could hide a secret.
Forever.

Emmett Farmer is working in the fields when a letter arrives summoning him to begin an apprenticeship. He will work for a Bookbinder, a vocation that arouses fear, superstition and prejudice – but one neither he nor his parents can afford to refuse.

He will learn to hand-craft beautiful volumes, and within each he will capture something unique and extraordinary: a memory. If there’s something you want to forget, he can help. If there’s something you need to erase, he can assist. Your past will be stored safely in a book and you will never remember your secret, however terrible.

In a vault under his mentor’s workshop, row upon row of books – and memories – are meticulously stored and recorded.

Then one day Emmett makes an astonishing discovery: one of them has his name on it.

Now, go ahead and tell me this book doesn’t sound interesting! I dare you! I can’t wait to get stuck into this book over the weekend! I’m so excited!

As always please feel free to leave your comments below. What are the first few lines of the book you are currently reading? Are you enjoying it? Let me know.