“Many years have gone by, years of war and of what men call History.” Carlo Levi, Christ Stopped at Eboli.

“Arrive finally at about three. The place has the feel of a 1970s health resort or eco-commune, but is not welcoming.” Charlotte Ward, Stone Yard Devotional.

“The images endure. In his twelve years as the greatest mayor of the world’s greatest city, he smashed slot machines with a sledgehammer, donned a fireman’s raincoat at the first whiff of smoke, and, most famously, narrated Dick Tracy’s exploits on the radio when a newspaper strike deprived youngsters of their comic strips.” Richard Goldstein: Helluva Town: The Story of New York City During World War II.

“It is nowhere you choose to be, and yet you are here.” Karen Russell, The Antidote.

“Hortense could never forget the first dress she bought in New York City.” Julie Satow, When Women Ran Fifth Avenue: Glamour and Power at the Dawn of American Fashion.

“Mrs. Blossom had never been upgraded before in her life.” Laura Lippman, Murder Takes a Vacation.

“The first time I heard Forbes Smiley’s voice was at six o’clock on a summer Friday as I was drinking a martini at a Boston bar.” Michael Blanding, The Map Thief: The Gripping Story of an Esteemed Rare-Map Dealer Who Made Millions Stealing Priceless Maps.

“Why am I in this car?” Daniel Kehlmann (translated from the German by Ross Benjamin), The Director.

“In 1918, a fever gripped Boston.” Randy Roberts and Johnny Smith, War Fever: Boston, Baseball, and America in the Shadow of the Great War.

“Detective-Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte, of the Queensland police, was walking along a bush track on his way to Windee Station.” Arthur W. Upfield, The Sands of Windee.

“I’m standing on the red railway car that sits abandoned next to the barn.” Tara Westover, Educated.

“My first word was ‘mother,’ spoken out loud and with texture.” Tayari Jones, Kin.

“This is a very weird way to begin an investigation, David Clurman thought as he listened to the anonymous caller on the other end of the line.” Michael Riedel, Razzle Dazzle: The Battle for Broadway.