Recently I’ve noticed that when I browse through books in the bookstore, the first thing I do when I pick up a book (after noticing the pretty cover) is read the first sentence. I usually don’t look at a book’s synopsis if I can help it because I like to go in without knowing much about the plot. Because of this I find that a book’s first really does play a big role if I buy a book on the spot or not. If I pick up a book I don’t know much about but the first sentence is unique and compelling enough, there’s a high chance I’ll still buy it. I feel like a lot of books are known for their famous last lines but I think the same importance should be placed on the opening line as well. An opening line sets the tone for the rest of the book and what you can expect from the plot to a certain extent. So today I have compiled a list of 10 amazing books on my shelf with a compelling first line/sentence.
10 Books With a Compelling First Line
1. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
Everyone in Shaker Heights was talking about it that summer: how Isabelle, the last of the Richardson children, had finally gone around the bend and burned the house down.
2. Beartown by Fredrik Backman
Late one evening towards the end of March, a teenager picked up a double-barrelled shotgun, walked into the forest, put the gun to someone else’s forehead, and pulled the trigger.
3. Circe by Madeline Miller
When I was born, the name for what I was did not exist.
4. The Leavers by Lisa Ko
The day before Deming Guo saw his mother for the last time, she surprised him at school,
5. The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood
Ten days after the war ended, my sister Laura drove a car off a bridge.
6. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
If I have learned anything in this long life of mine, it is this: In love we find out who we want to be; in war we find out who we are.
7. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
The circus arrives without warning.
8. The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
The first thing you find out when yer dog learns to talk is that dogs don’t got nothing much to say, about anything.
9. Angelfall by Susan Ee
Ironically, since the attacks, the sunsets have been glorious.
10. We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson
Life is bullshit.
Ending on a positive note.
What is your favourite opening line of a book? Did you find any of the above first lines compelling? How do you choose to buy a book; from the cover, synopsis, hype or maybe first line? Let’s chat in the comments ♥
Haha, I love this post!!! First lines are such huge factors when buying a book for me.
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Thanks!! Glad you agree 😀
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We Are the Ants has one of my favorite first chapters of all time! I reread it all the time
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Yesss, it’s what actually made me buy it in the first place!! 😀
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Love this post! I really like the first lines in Angelfall, The Nightingale, and We are the Ants.
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Thanks Raven! 😀
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Ooh, this is such a great post!! I always thought the first line of Circe was super intriguing. And the one for Angelfall!
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Thanks Brianna!! Yeah the first line of Circe really makes me wanna read on, Angelfall as well! 😀
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First lines and openings are SO important, right? One of my favourites in the last few months was from The Steel Remains by Richard Morgan:
“When a man you know to be of sound mind tells you his recently deceased mother has just tried to climb in his bedroom window and eat him, you only have two basic options. You can smell his breath, take his pulse and check his pupils to see if he’s ingested anything nasty, or you can believe him.”
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Oh wow that’s a really good one! I haven’t heard of The Steel Remains before but if I read that opening line in the bookstore I would be very tempted to buy it! I’ll have to look up the book now😊
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I’ve never really given much thought to first lines even though I know they’re super important, but I find this post super interesting! I might have to pay attention more I think ☺️
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Thanks! Once you start paying more attention to it, you’ll definitely come across some great opening lines☺️
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I love it when a book has a compelling first line, it adds that sense of intrigue that makes it easier to get your teeth sunk into it. I have to say The Night Circus will forever be one of my favourite books and that opening line is epic.
I’ve had my eye on Beartown for ages and it is definitely one book I plan on treating myself to in the near future, especially after reading that line.
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Yay, glad you agree! And yesss the whole opening paragraph of The Night Circus is amazing!!
I also haven’t gotten to Beartown yet but fingers crossed I get around to it soon!😊
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Ahh your blog is so, so pretty, Mara! ❤ I love Circe, The Night Circus, and Angelfall (which is so underrated, I feel like?) & I'm so happy they made it on your list! I hope I can get to Beartown soon, everyone's gushing about it.
Wonderful post! 🙂 ❤
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Awh thanks Lily!!❤
Glad we agree, and yesss Angelfall is super underrated! It seriously deserves more hype!
I actually haven’t read Beartown yet either but after reading the first paragraph I’m even more excited to get to it 🙂
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I wish the series had been concluded more satisfyingly! 🙉
Fredrik Backman seems to get a lot of praise lately, so I hope it goes well! 🙂
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Oooh, I love this list! I still haven’t finished Beartown (got stuck somewhere and haven’t picked it up) because it was sort of hard for me to get into, despite having a great opening and loving Backman’s work. I’ll definitely finish it this year, though. I just bought Angelfall, too, so I’m excited about reading that.
I have to say, though, We Are The Ants probably has the best and truest first line I’ve ever seen. xD
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Wow, the first line for Circe is so… intriguing! I need to do some research on that book now 😊 Also, the first line for We Are The Ants… 😂 I feel like everyone has adamantly believed in that statement at least once in their teenage years. Anyways, lovely post! I enjoyed reading your picks!
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