Book Beginnings #73

For Book Beginnings, Rose City Reader invites us to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires.

For Friday 56, Freda's Voice asks you to turn to Page 56 in your book or 56% on your e-reader and pick a sentence.

I am currently reading Needlemouse by Jane O'Connor.

I look forward to this day all year. Not because I enjoy getting older (heaven's no), but because Prof takes me out somewhere special for lunch on my birthday, just the two of us.

This book doesn't actually start with this line. It starts with an excerpt of information about the European Hedgehog, which was very fascinating and written by one of the characters in the book, but I wanted more of a feel for the writing so my first line is from the first chapter instead. Is this cheating?

I like that I'm learning a bit even from the start, although the thought of hedgehogs cooked in clay made me feel a little bit queasy. I think I'll enjoy the writing as I read.

I am starting this book as I type so anything more is a mystery to me. I hope I enjoy it.

He had a beautiful face for a man of his age. A face that spoke of a life filled with laughter and warmth and adventure, of summers on the beach and winters skiing down mountains.

This part from page 56 is giving me romance vibes, so I'm going to cross my fingers now. I'm in the mood for a romance! I jabbed my finger randomly at the page to pick out this quote so that I could avoid spoilers, but it also means that I have no context. Still, romance vibes.

What are you reading this week?