The 10 best first lines in fiction books the guardian. Bbc culture what are the best first lines in fiction. Its a great problem to have, dont get me wrong, but sometimes the choices can be a bit overwhelming. In a 20 interview with joe fassler, horror fiction maestro stephen king reflected on the magnitude of a novels introductory sentence. 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.
First sentences, of course, have different functionsto amuse, to frighten, to mystifyand the mechanics a writer uses to achieve this connection vary from genre to genre. It has been sixtyfour years since the president and the consortium identified love as a disease, and fortythree since the scientists perfected a cure. The best readers know to never leave youngadult books to the kids. John green, the fault in our stars submitted by sallya4d8d23496. We went to the moon to have fun, but the moon turned out to completely suck. But we had kindles, and something passing in mongolia for wifi.
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. Best first lines, 2016 edition shelftalker publishers weekly. Aug 23, 2017 as ya has grown in popularity over the last decade or so and become a bigger part of mainstream culture surrounding books and reading, so have book clubs that cater to adults who love reading ya. Sometimes all it takes is that totally relatable, extremely weird, or just plain beautiful first line and were in. Sometimes all it takes is a stellar opening line or paragraph. Here are 12 opening lines in ya that immediately draw you in, from 12 great books that never let you go. Apr 06, 2020 this collection of spring 2020 ya books isnt comprehensive, but its pretty darn close. Gripping her wrists, he guided both of her hands to the small of her back, where her fingers brushed the hard planes of his abdomen. The true story of hansel and gretel by louise murphy. Open up goodreads or pull out your paper tbr and get ready to add some great new spring 2020 ya books to your list. This infographic features 34 compelling first lines from some of the most famous books of all time.
See more ideas about books, childrens books and childrens literature. Jocolibrary teens great opening lines by libraryk8 a staffcreated list. Oct 29, 2019 what are the best first lines in fiction. Think of jane austens pride and prejudice it is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife. It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in. This list has the best n ovels with great first lines, bound to make. The very first sentence of a story can be extremely powerful. I even tore out the first three pages of one of my favorite novels the poisonwood bible when i came to reread it.
The opening lines of a book are where the reader gets hooked. Jun 25, 2007 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 them these cool summer books. All great authors know that a killer first line is almost more important than the first few pages, and authors put in hours of work just to get the right. Tolkien dont get me wrong, camp wahkah wahkah wasnt the worst experience ive ever had. Are the following lines and pages and chapters worth your time. A list for those books that have witty, profound, or just plain interesting first lines. Great first lines in ya to start the new year epic reads. Jan 06, 2017 great first lines in ya to start the new year epic reads. Ive read stories about libraries having wild success with these types of programs, reaching a whole new type of reader who loves a good ya book. Popsugar 2020 a book with a great first line 141 books. For my own part, ive read plenty of good books whose first lines i dont remember. An opening line should invite the reader to begin the story, he said. Starting a story using first person means introducing a characters worldview and psychology from the start. The first line is the authors chance to make a first impression and to capture the imagination of the reader, and the very best books will keep the reader hooked from the first line to the very last line.
Read this, my friend said, and stuck this opening under my nose. A great first line will pull you in, introduce you to the narrator, and set the tone for the entire book. These lines will help you remember the reasons we are so obsessed with true love. If youre having trouble deciding what ya to read next, check out the first lines below, culled from new and recent releases in a variety of genres. Esther lombardi is a veteran journalist who has written about literature, education, and technology. Oct 12, 2019 esther lombardi is a veteran journalist who has written about literature, education, and technology. In my earliest memory, my grandfather is bald as a stone and he takes me to see the tigers. This collection of spring 2020 ya books isnt comprehensive, but its pretty darn close. It erupts like an earthquake, and then it subsides. Its time to corral the best mg and ya openers in this years offerings. The best 100 opening lines from books is one of stylists most popular piece of content ever. Oct 15, 2015 as young adult literature picks up speed and expands, theres so much to choose from.
The opening lines of a novel can prove crucial, and many authors spend an inordinate amount of time considering how their books will begin. Great opening sentences from classic fantasy novels. As ya has grown in popularity over the last decade or so and become a bigger part of mainstream culture surrounding books and reading, so have book clubs that cater to adults who love reading ya. But its the first lines are crucial in helping us decide whether we are going to keep reading or not. Opening lines list of books with great first lines.
And with so many books to read, the competition between them is wast. Let us know your favourite childrens book first lines from the gallery, or any we missed, in the comments section. The ultimate guide to spring 2020 ya books for your tbr. The 20 best pandemic books to read during coronavirus. Hephzibah anderson explores the art of the perfect first sentence. Aug 22, 2015 clever, intriguing first lines in picture that hook the reader. List created for the 2020 reading challenge in the ultimate popsugar reading challenge group. In homage to that fact, we asked former stylist contributors to share the opening lines that mean the. In looking for the best opening lines, we took all of this into consideration.
Great first lines in ya to start the new year youtube. The opening lines from 44 timeless childrens books. Jocolibrary teens great opening lines johnson county library. From fantasy, to scifi, to contemporary to classics. Great first lines ive missed and with several thousand new books out. They stand alone as sentences but also make you want to read on to discover what else is behind them. The titles on the list span centuries and genres and include classics and contemporary novels that are certain to become classics. Apr 25, 20 20 amazing opening lines in ya sometimes all it takes is a stellar opening line or paragraph.
Our guide to the greatest opening lines of novels in the english language, from jane austen to james joyce. Its a great problem to have, dont get me wrong, but sometimes the choices can be a. Depending on what youre reading, a great first line can be funny or meaningful or sad or somehow all of the above. Please use this list for all books you are considering reading, as well as books you would recommend for this prompt. Jun 20, 2014 the most passionate lines are often found between the pages of great books. The first sentence sets the stagehowever long or short the textand hints at the narrative vehicle. Here are the 100 best opening lines from your favourite childrens books. The first lines of novels set the tone for the story to come. A great aspect of first person narrators is the immediacy of the first person pronoun, i. Its really freaking tough to beat the first line of m. From the pithy to the provocative, the classic book opener comes in many different forms. And when the story becomes a classic, the first line can sometimes become as famous as the novel itself, as the quotes below demonstrate. Any booklover will tell you that one of the best feelings around is opening a book, reading the first line, and knowing immediately that youre. Just as the film contagion has found a second life with news of the coronavirus outbreak, so too are novels about epidemics popping up on reading lists around the country.
The playfor which briony had designed the posters, programs and tickets, constructed the sales booth out of a folding screen tipped on its side, and lined the collection box in red crepe. Books make our world go round, and these books were recommending to you. Apr 16, 2015 some great lines are flowery and beautiful, while others are direct and to the point. As young adult literature picks up speed and expands, theres so much to choose from. The best first lines introduce strong narrators voices. However, that doesnt stop me from looking for contenders. Some of the most famous and beloved characters and stories in history originated in childrens books that have been passed down over generations.
First lines in ya novels in a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Apr 28, 2012 our guide to the greatest opening lines of novels in the english language, from jane austen to james joyce. Great first lines ive missed and with several thousand new books out in 2016, i have missed many can be added via the comments section below. Get hooked on some of our favorites with these awesome openers. My life as a smashed burrito with extra hot sauce by bill myers. These titles were pulled from a variety of publisher catalogs, ranging from major publishers to smaller ones. But a great line should always pull you out of your world and straight into the world of the book. Let this collection of the opening lines from childrens books serve as a nostalgic walk down memory lane and as inspiration for books you may want to share with your children too. As i gardened, gazing towards the autumnal sky, i longed to run my finger through the trail of mucus left by a single speckled slug innocuously thrusting past my rhododendrons and in feeling that warm slime, be swept back to planet alderon, back into the tentacles of the alien who loved me. Mosquitoland wont fail to pull you in from the first page. May 19, 2016 we went to the moon to have fun, but the moon turned out to completely suck. Whether it was the because of some shocking early reveal, a nice dose of action, purely gorgeous writing, or something more, there are a good amount of books on our shelves that have cemented their place in the loved from the very first line section. If you use the search feature to add books instead of choosing from my books, that will. Dec 18, 2015 38 best first lines in novels ya edition 12182015 02.