This Is How It Starts

Ginder has managed to pen a fantastic debut novel. I picked it "TIHIS" without expectations and was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the story. The writing is engaging and the book reads like a dream. I found myself heavily involved in the character's fates and was honestly a bit disappointed when I turned to the last page, not because of a soft ending, but because the story was complete. I'd recommend this book to anyone out for a good drama-fest, and for anyone looking to discover a fresh, new storyteller. With this debut, Ginder's clearly carving out a exciting future for himself as an author, so it's probably best to jump on the bandwagon now.

Grant Ginder's 'This is How it Starts' is a truly exceptional debut. The novel is the story of a young man struggling to find his moral North amidst the decadence and immorality of Washington, DC, set firmly at (what we now know is) the moment directly preceding the 'second fall of the Roman Empire.' With strong bildungsroman elements throughout the novel, Ginder skillfully shows us Taylor Mark's steps and missteps as he develops into the man he has no idea how to become. It is a rare novel in that both the plot and the characters are gripping, and the two work in tandem to move the story forward. I wish there were more books like this around: I can't wait for the author's next.

I found this novel highly entertaining and witty. Much credit to Grant Ginder for creating very compelling characters and drawing the reader into the world of Washington D.C. twenty-somethings. Smart, funny, witty and a refreshing perspective of the fast paced social life of capital hill. A fantastic summer read.

Grant's book is just the right balance of witty observation and good storytelling. He observes like Wolfe and bites like Wilde but does it in an accessible fashion, and creates and develops characters that are both realistic and poignant. It's a window on to the urban haute bourgeois of our nation's capital that shouldn't be missed.

"This is how it starts" takes off starting with the first page and never slows down. I couldn't put it down! Main character Taylor Mark's journey treats the reader to an inside view of the Washington political scene and the highly entertaining characters that exist within that world. The book captures the energy, insanity, and absurd amounts of privilege bestowed upon the young and connected. I recommend that everyone add this to their summer reading list!