Want great book recommendations in your inbox every week. From the pithy to the provocative, the classic book opener comes in many different forms. Its important to never judge a book by its cover, but how do you evaluate it. Opening lines quotes quotes tagged as openinglines showing of 271 it is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. You dont know about me without you have read a book by the name of the adventures of tom sawyer, but that aint no matter. It is the hook that keeps you reading, your introduction to the world the author has created. Column by meredith borders december 2, 2011 63 comments. The top 10 best opening lines of novels litreactor. It all starts by opening to the first page and reading the first line. Here are the 100 best opening lines from your favourite childrens books. As you teach writing and journaling in your own classroom, we pulled together some of the most memorable, fun, creative, and best opening lines books for children and teens have to offer. And with so many books to read, the competition between them is wast. Prepare to read the most fascinating article of your life. The opening line of a book i read freshman year of high school still sticks with me.
Stylists pick of the best hundred first lines from books, from classic to modern literature. The best 100 opening lines from books is one of stylists most popular piece of content ever. The first sentence sets the stagehowever long or short the textand hints at the narrative vehicle by which the writer will propel the book forward. A good cover may make us pick the book up and think about buying it. Can you identify these books by their opening lines. The opening line from the book that started it all. Now it wastes no time in opening the book with the right feeling a mix of regret and menace and mystery. Great opening lines to hook young readers if youre interested in getting your child or teen to keep reading during a hot, long, lazy vacation, offer.
Our guide to the greatest opening lines of novels in the english language, from jane austen to james joyce. The 10 best first lines in fiction books the guardian. It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. Having that in mind, weve rounded up the first lines of some of the worlds most famous books, and they stand as excellent examples of how a short sentence or two can set the tone for an entire story and define its legacy for decades to come. The very first sentence of a story can be extremely powerful. The opening line is that hook and the books on this list all have intriguing, interesting, and unique opening sentences. First thoughts that last in our memory from jane austen, hunter s. Use our opening line tool above to help inspire you to get started. Opening linesthe first sentence or maybe the first paragraph of a bookhave a lot of work to do.
How to write the first paragraphs of your novel liternauts. Its often said that a book shouldnt be judged by its cover, but what about its opening lines. Writing the first line to your book is an incredibly daunting task. The 27 best opening lines in books, from rebecca to the great. Love in time of cholera by him was even better amazing author. It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want. Good lines are what matter, not their location in the book. Microsoft may earn an affiliate commission if you purchase something through. If youre a guy and youve opened this book, you either have a daughter, are on the verge of having a. It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in. They have to set the scene, perhaps introduce a character, and more than anything, get us to. The 10 absolute best openings to young adult books hypable.
They are the lines we scribble in our journals, slur to strangers when were tipsy at the bar, recite to ourselves when were sleepy on our long commutes home, quote in our poems and wedding vows, tattoo onto our bodies to prove our love of literature, and share with those closest to us in the. In homage to that fact, we asked former stylist contributors to share the opening lines that mean the. Its ideal for novels, short stories and the opening line of dialogue in a movie or stage play. An opening line should invite the reader to begin the story, he said.
So few books get that critical first line truly, completely right. I remember writing and rewriting the opening line to my humor book oh boy, youre having a girl over and over again until i finally felt like i nailed it with this. You dont know about me without you have read a book by the name of. Opening lines list of books with great first lines ranker. Because these are the most terrifying opening lines from books, and the books that follow. I guess this point is clear you need to capture your readers attention from the first line of text. The first line can be a beast to get right whether youre composing a dating profile or drafting a.