Top 5 Tuesday is hosted by the wonderful Shanah @ Bionic Book Worm. I love an attention grabbing first line! I really should get better at writing down opening lines that I love because it took me awhile to go through my books and find these ones!
Circe by Madeline Miller
When I was born, the name for what I was did not exist.
This line grabs your attention right away! Who and what is she? I love when a book has you asking questions right from the start.
The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis
This is how I kill someone.
This has to be the most captivating first line of all time! How could you not be intrigued by this sentence?
Red Rising by Pierce Brown
I would have lived in peace, but my enemies brought me war.
This line is so powerful and sets the tone for the rest of the novel.
I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
“This is how it all begins. With Zephyr and Fry – reigning neighborhood sociopaths – torpedoing after me and the whole forest floor shaking under my feet as I blast through air, trees, this white-hot panic.”
The thing I like about this first line is that it gives you a good idea of what to expect from Jandy Nelson writing. Her writing style is beautiful and descriptive.
Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy
All the best things in my life have started with a Dolly Parton song.
I distinctly remember reading this first sentence and thinking ‘Oh I am going to like this book’ and I did! I really loved that Dolly Parton was an important part of the story!
I am going to start paying more attention to first lines and maybe post more of my favourites! I love when a book grabs your attention right away and sets the tone for the rest of the story.
What is your favourite opening line?
The opening line for Dumplin’ is so cute!
I know! I loved it! I wonder what the opening line for her new book is?
I NEED to get to the female of the species!! That’s one heck of a first line!!!
And now Circe has me totally interested. Great list!
Thanks for participating – added you to the list 🙂
Yes you do!! Such a dark but good book!
Thank you!
I almost included Red Rising on my list too. I love that first line!
Ah that line is probably my favourite!
I keep seeing that first line in Circe and if I wasn’t already reading 4 books I would read it, too! I love that first line from The Female of the Species. For some reason if someone is involved in a murder I get super interested. 😅
Circe is great so far! I highly recommend The Female of the Species. It is dark but excellent!
I think I’ll like Circe since I loved The Song of Achilles. Dark and excellent is right up my alley ^^
These are some amazing first line. I’m currently reading Starswept by Mary Fan and the first line certainly caught my attention it goes like this
” They tell us not everyone deserves to matter. Dreams have to be earned and every day, I grow more afraid that I’ll never be among the worthy ” Not exactly shocking but for some reason it made me want to read this book
Wow that is an amazing first line! Definitely makes an impact. Going to have to look in to that book!
I love all of these! I haven’t read The Female of the Species yet, but I have it on my shelf and that first line definitley makes me want to pick it up and find out what’s going on! One of my favorite first lines is from I’m Supposed to Protect You from All This: “When I was a child, I knew that my mother was a fairy. Not the kind of fairy with gauzy wings and a magic wand, but one with a thrift-store fur coat and ink-stained fingers.There was nothing she couldn’t do.”
Thank you! You need to read The Female of the Species! It is really dark and I have never read a book quite like it before. Wow I have never even heard of that book but I am going to have to look in to it. That is a really sweet opening!
How did I forget about the opening line for Dumplin?? Such a great one 😃
I know! Instantly brought a smile to my face!
Makes me want to listen to Dolly now! haha 😛
She is writing the music for the movie! So excited about that!
No way!!!!!! Ahhhh I’m even more excited now 😀
Wow! Those are some great first lines! I’m really intrigued by the one for Circe! I definitely want to read that one!!
I also nominated you for the Mystery Blogger Award! You can check it out here if you want to participate: https://rockyreads.wordpress.com/2018/05/15/the-mystery-blogger-award ❤️
I loved the opening of Red Rising! Great choices! 😊
It is just so good! Thank you!
Intriguing first line in the female of the species!
Definitely!
How did you remember them all. I could only think of 1 plus book currently reading!
http://wonderwall360.blog/2018/05/15/top-5-tuesday-may-topics/
Like the Dumplin one!
I had to look though my books for some of them!!
I’ve always been unsure about whether to start the Red Rising series. After seeing the opening line I think I might have to start it!
Oh good! It is really amazing!
Yess!!! 🙌 The opening line for Circe had me hooked!
The perfect opening line!
Absolutely love the first line for Circe- it makes me even more excited to read it!! And I really love the opening to Red Rising 😀
The first line for Circe is perfect! I think the opening for Red Rising is my favourite!
Yes! I agree!
I’ve been following the hype for Circe and I’ve come close to buying it several times, but a most recent review that mentions there’s a rape scene in it has probably shut down any and every thought of me buying it now… Still a great first line!
I have not made it to that part yet but I can understand why that would make you not want to pick it up.
WOW Red Rising is pretty intense!!!
It really is!
Ah Dumplin’ is such a good book! That just reminds me that I need to read the sequel! 🙂
I am so excited about the sequel! I haven’t seen any reviews for it yet!
I’m sure it won’t disappoint 😍
The opening line to Circe is so good. Instantly atmospheric and really sets the tone for what’s to come! Great picks!
Thank you! It really is the perfect set up for the book!
My gosh, they are all so powerful and engaging! I’ve got Dumplin’ and Red Rising on my TBR… need to read them like ASAP!
Yes you do, especially Red Rising!!
Loved all these lines! These books are all on my TBR except for Red Rising. I recently finished that and loved it! I’m actually starting The Song of Achilles soon which I already know I’ll love and I’ll probably be reading Circe right after.
I am hoping to read Song of Achilles after I done Circe!
This is such a beautiful post! ❤
I’m so happy to see Female of the Species on your list, I feel like it’s such an underrated book. And I can’t wait to read Circe, since I really liked The Song of Achilles.
Thank you! I was caught off guard by how amazing The Female of the Species was! I am so excited to read The Song of Achilles!
I know this is so cliche, but I love the opening line to Pride & Prejudice… 😉
Ah so do I!! So iconic!
I love seeing how authors start a book. I am definitely intrigued by the first line of Dumplin’ Plus, what a great cover!
So do I! Dumplin is really a fun read. The sequel, Puddin, is even better. I definitely recommend them!
Sometimes opening lines can turn you off, for instance if you just feel like you don’t have enough energy to keep up the pace. I’d rather be lured in by a question than pummeled with a flurry of action.
I completely agree with you!
Man those were all great first lines, and I was happy to see that they were just classics, so I got to see new one:)
Thank you! I thought I would mix it up!