Let’s talk about the first lines of a book. In the industry, they are called the hook. Probably because, like an angular, the author wants to hook the reader right away and reel them into the story. As a reader, I love a really well-written first line/paragraph. They aren’t make it or break it as far as reading experience goes by any means, but if I can feel myself sinking into the story right from the very first page, then I am one happy reader.
What are some things those first few lines can do for a book? They can set the tone right from the start. They can introduce the reader to the voice of the character, especially if the voice is written in first person perspective. They can immediately place the reader in a time, place, atmosphere, etc.
Those first lines are like an introduction, and as a reader, I just love it when a book has me at hello.
Here are some first lines of books that sucked me into the story right from the start and made me fall in love at the very first page.
“If Obsessive Email Checking Disorder were a disease, I was likely already in the final stages: trigger thumb, mindless refreshing, aimless scrolling, and, of course, an inability to focus on anything else in the entire world.”
“Four years ago, on my thirtieth birthday, I had two very important realizations.
- I didn’t need a man in my life in order to be happy or fulfilled.
- My chances of meeting and falling love with a man–and having him fall in love with me–would increase exponentially if I lowered my standards.
Not my standards for the man, of course. No, with the introduction of realization number one, the standards for the man had never been higher. If I didn’t need a man, then there was no harm in being very picky and waiting for the right one to come along. But with the introduction of realization number two, I could no longer deny that I did very much want to be in love…whether I needed to be or not.”
“”Let’s get married.”
Trinity Davis gaped at her best friend. “Omar, you can’t be serious. I just came over to vent, not for you to suggest some harebrained idea.””
“I’ve face-planted myself into rock bottom.
Well, maybe a hammock above rock bottom–one my aunt Doreen graciously set out for me when I found myself abandoned and broke.”
“Just call me George Washington. You know, because of the whole cherry tree thing. Although, now that I think about it, that’s more legend than actual historical fact, and considering Washington was a politician, the likelihood of him never telling a lie is drastically more improbable than gas prices ever lowering to less than a dollar again. So, maybe I should stick to my real name because I, Molly Osbourne, really do always tell the truth.”
Are first lines important to your reading experience? Do you have any favorite first lines?
Winner of the Holt Medallion and Selah Award, Sarah Monzon is a stay-at-home mom who makes up imaginary friends to have adult conversations with (otherwise known as writing novels). As a navy chaplain's wife, she resides wherever the military happens to station her family and enjoys exploring the beauty of the world around her.
Yes, the first paragraph definitely influences my enjoyment of the book. But, I also think that if the first paragraph is good, the rest of the book probably is well written too. I know that the only one of the books you mentioned that I have read ‘Love and a little white lie’ by Tammy L Gray is a case in point.
First lines, first paragraphs, first pages – all play a large part.
Thanks for sharing those great first lines. I tend to go by first paragraphs, or even first pages more than first lines. I often don’t even remember the first lines of my favourite books, but I do remember the first page hook.
I think some genres lend themselves much more easily to a snappy, clever first line.
Yes!! I so admire when authors craft a great first line because my chances of being happy with the entire story go up. I’ve read all of those first lines (though I still need to finish Tammy’s, I know, I know). I’m not sure what other books I’d add to the mix.
welcome today. yes I so agree with you that if the first page can grab me and hold me, I am so set to get pulled into this story. I have read a few books where the first page was wonderful and the rest of the book fell so flat. that was disappointing.
Yes! I’ve that first line/paragraph/page is good and hooks me right away then I settle in because I just *know* the rest of the book is going to be excellent.
They do!
I would definitely include first paragraphs and pages and not exclusively first sentences in the definition of a good hook.
It’s like the perfect first impression.
The first paragraph to first chapter have to draw me in. Of course, with This Present Darkness, it took me til Chapter 10 to really get into it, and that was both times I read it. I was ready to give up, and pushed myself to Chapter 10 the first time, then I was hooked. It surprised me the 2nd time I read it that I had to push through those first 10 chapters again!! Now, if it takes me that long in a book, I skim ahead to see if it gets better. If it doesn’t, I quit! There are too many great books out there to waste time making myself read something that doesn’t draw me in. I’ve got to read that book again, and I’ll make myself read through Chapter 10 again, if need be, since I know how the book goes!!
Reversely, I’ve read books that it took a good 25% of the book until it got good and by the end I considered it an excellent read.
It’s true. There are some books that are more of a slow build but still end up being amazing.
I absolutely love when a first line “hooks” me into a story….especially if it makes me laugh! Here’s some examples:
My current read is Falling for The Innkeeper by Meghann Whistler: “Johnathan Masters pulled up in front of the Sea Glass Inn, turned off his GPS and sighed. How had he gotten himself into this? He really didn’t want to intrude on a single mother and her young daughter right at dinnertime.”
Love at Second Sight by Liwen Ho: “I miss the days when the only thing I had to worry about was finding leg warmers to match my scrunchie.”
Secret Agent Minister by Lenora Worth (Love Inspired Suspense 2007): “Someone was going to have to explain about the dead body in the bathtub. Really.” (for some reason this made me chuckle when I read it)
The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold: “Clara Kip had prayed repeatedly to die in Sao Paulo. It truly seemed the smallest of requests. People died in Brazil every day. What was one more? Especially one who had dreamed of the country most of her life. The Lord, however, gave her Kansas.”
The Souls of Lost Lake by Jaime Jo Wright: “Campfires were meant to be places of shadows. In between the flickering light of orange-and-blue hues, raging white centers, and filmy smoke tendrils lingered the dark places. In these places hid the stories that flavored the tongue of every storyteller, tightened the chest of every listener, and perked the ears of the most afraid. “This is the tale of Ava Coons,” the story begins. ”
Yes, a good first line or a few can hook me right from the start! I’m sure it’s hard sometimes as a writer to come up with those, but when you do, you’ll have a reader glued to the pages :-)
Definitely there have been alot of books that get me hooked with their first line.
First lines can really grab you and keep you reading.
Those are great!
Yay!
Agreed!
sometimes, no fav
In the beginning, GOD created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
The first lines need to be interesting to catch you. None special catches me to read a book
First two chapters set the stage for the book.