First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if, instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?

The Rules:

• Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page.
• Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first.
• Finally… reveal the book!

First Lines:

“‘What am I going to do with you?’ she said.

She was driving like a nut again, so crazy I pictured our seatbeltless carcasses flying through the windshield. She had her elbow out the window, resting on the ledge, and her other hand off the steering wheel—completely off the steering wheel!—digging into the seat for one of her cigarettes. ‘Crap.’ Her fingers couldn’t find one.”

This opening scene, set in 1966, really sets a tone that makes me eager to learn more about what is going on and if they’re going to make it to where they’re going safely!

Do you recognize the lines?

Here’s a hint:

This is a historical fiction/queer coming-of-age book.

Still not sure? Here’s another hint:

It’s written by Daniel Meltz.

The First Lines Friday book is:

Rabbis of the Garden State.

About the Book:

• Title: Rabbis of the Garden State
• Author: Daniel Meltz
• Page Length: 296 pages
• Publication Date: April 8, 2025
• Publisher: Rattling Good Yarns Press

Synopsis:

In the suburbs of New Jersey, where temple gossip flows like Manischewitz wine, eleven-year-old Andy becomes entangled in a whirlwind of maternal quirks and religious intrigue. His mother’s bizarre obsession with Rabbi Landy transforms their once-quiet life above a candy store into a tale of surprises.

Andy’s world features a colorful cast: a fiery sister, an invisible brother, a precociously sexual savant best friend with green teeth, and a foul-mouthed neighbor who rivals the 50-Foot Woman. As he navigates from conclusion to understanding, his journey is filled with humor and heartfelt moments.

When forced into yeshiva with the rabbi’s insufferable sons, Andy becomes drawn to his magnetic Talmud teacher, Rabbi Loobling. His exploration of faith, desire, and family secrets unfolds from the streets of the Garden State to the halls of college, revealing the complex adults around him.

Rabbis of the Garden State delivers a sharp look at synagogue life laced with teenage yearning. This powerful portrayal of suburban Jewish life in the ’60s is both funny and moving. As Andy transitions to adulthood, the mysteries of childhood unravel, exposing secrets and deep truths about family, faith, and the unexpected twists of love. Daniel Meltz’s beautifully crafted debut novel captures the spirit of an era and delves into the timeless questions of belonging, belief, and the complicated relationships that shape us all.

Links: Goodreads     

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