Alberta Romance Writers' Association

12 Favourite First Lines

List compiled by Tammy Lyn
First posted January 2005

I thought long and hard about which favourite lines were in my top 12...realizing that there were so many, I tried to narrow it down. Some are older books from my childhood that I continuously read over and over again, and some are ones I learned to love as an adult, for various reasons I’ve listed below. I know that all of us have our own favourite first lines—hopefully some of these you’ll recognize.

For those who know me, perhaps some of my choices will surprise you. Though most of you are aware I’m a huge Stephen King and Anne Rice fan, not many of you may realize that I love re-reading the Chronicles of Narnia, or that I am an avid J.K. Rowling fan now—and extremely jealous of her fantastic imagination! So here we are, ladies and gentlemen, MY top 12 favorite first lines (in no particular order):

Mr. and Mrs. Dursley of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much. - Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling

I LOVE this line! It sounds to me to be very uppity and snotty—as the Dursley's seem to think of themselves. The Harry Potter series has so far been highly enjoyable for me, especially watching J.K. Rowling grow as a writer as she goes along. You can see the difference easily from the first to the second book. I already have a pre-order in for the next book which is coming out in 2005.

The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed. - The Gunslinger, The Dark Tower I by Stephen King

This actually is my absolute FAVORITE line, I must admit. I have been a huge follower of the gunslinger since I was a teenager and it has caused me nothing but grief and anxiety having to wait for each book to come out. Many times I have thought, "Forget it! I am NOT going to buy another stupid gunslinger book only to get to the end and have it NOT resolved!" Then I go buy it anyway...I have only the last book to read—if I can ever get a chance to get it out of the library (or buy it on sale at Chapters)!

124 was spiteful. Full of a baby's venom. The women in the house knew it, and so did the children. - Beloved by Toni Morrison

I felt I had to include the first three lines for this in order for those who have never read “Beloved” to get an idea of what it is talking about—yes, 124 is the house. It is a dark tale, but one that is told with a lot of passion. For some it is a hard book to read; for others you will fall right into it.

In the beginning was the voice of Father. - Lasher by Anne Rice
I want to be a saint. - Blood Canticle by Anne Rice

Okay, I love Anne Rice—LOVE her. Her worlds of witches, spirits and vampires all blended into one are fantastic to me, but then again this is “me” we are talking about, so it should come as no surprise.

The terror, which would not end for another twenty-eight years - if it ever did end - began, so far as I know or can tell, with a boat made from a sheet of newspaper floating down a gutter swollen with rain. - It by Stephen King

Again, LOVE Stephen King. This is THE ONLY book I have EVER read—no matter what author—that freaked me out. I first read this book when I was in high school, and had to have all the lights in the house on when I read it (IF I read it at night, which I didn't want to, but couldn't seem to stop myself). I had trouble walking by sewer grates for months after I finished this book…very dark tale that you just get sucked into. But no matter how terrified I became, I just couldn't seem to put it down. I usually re-read this book once every one or two years...but always with the lights on and in the daytime. It STILL gives me the creeps.

"I say we should stake him to an anthill and throw little pickles at him." - Night Pleasures by Sherrilyn Kenyon

A friend introduced me to this author last year - and I just love the visual of this line. Again another author who loves vampires and dark issues, but hey, she does it in a funny way.

When Mr. Bilbo Baggins of Bag End announced that he would shortly be celebrating his eleventy-first birthday with a party of special magnificence, there was much talk and excitement in Hobbiton. - The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

I have been reading Lord of the Rings since I was a child and didn't even understand what the book was saying. I believe I first tried to read this in grade 3, though without any idea what was going on really, but I kept re-reading it every year, and eventually was old enough to "get it." I love this book (no, it is not a trilogy like the movies; it is actually one book). The realm of Middle Earth has always held a fascination for me, long before the movies came out. I must admit, though, they brought Middle Earth to life with ease. It is a very, very long read, but well worth it. If you have never read the book and only seen the movie, read the book. It has so much more detail and storyline to it, and you will enjoy it immensely. I also suggest reading The Hobbit.

This is a story about something that happened long ago when your grandfather was a child. - The Magician's Nephew, Book I of the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

I have read the “Chronicles of Narnia” throughout my life and, as an adult, I own the series. Something about Aslan just calls you to re-read it over and over again. Though there’s a not-so-subtle Christian background to the book, it nonetheless is a fantastic read, with fantastic adventures.

"Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents," grumbled Jo, lying on the rug. - Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

I love Little Women—my grandma read it to me as a child, then I saw the old movie. I always cry at the end.

Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life of whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show. - David Copperfield by Charles Dickens

I love Charles Dickens, though at times it feels quite hard to read some of his books—I really do like his stories and how he told them.

"Now, fair Hippolyta, our nuptial hour draws on apace: four happy days bring in another moon; but O, methinks how slow this old moon wanes! She lingers my desires, like to a step-dame, or a dowager, long withering out a young man's revenue. - A Midsummer-Night's Dream by William Shakespeare

Okay, this isn't a novel, but a play; however, I am a huge Shakespeare fan and “A Midsummer-Night's Dream” has always been my favorite. (Could it be because I have a thing for fairies??) Not sure, but I have always enjoyed this play. And the same as with J.R.R. Tolkien, I took Shakespeare books out of the library by the dozen in grade 3, not truly "getting" what I was reading, yet read them every year. I love this world Shakespeare has created—it truly is magical. With all the movie versions that came out for this play, there are a few that I truly enjoyed, but I enjoy reading it even better, as I have a vivid imagination.

So there you have it - MY 12 favourite first lines. I happen to be re-reading the first Harry Potter book again…almost done and will move on to the second shortly. Might be because on Christmas Day we played all three movies, and that always makes me want to re-read the books. Then, after that, I'm not sure WHICH book I'll read. Yesterday I bought some at Chapters...I think I need more bookshelves...