So I read an article about first lines the other day and it got me thinking. I’ve always loved first lines, not so much coming up with the perfect one, but flipping open books at random and reading the first line. It’s so much fun I’ve decided to do it here. Aren’t you excited?

The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux – “The Opera ghost really existed.” How can you beat that opening, even if it is the Prologue?

The Iron Hunt by Marjorie M. Liu – “When I was eight, my mother lost me to zombies in a one-card draw.” I loved this line the moment I read it. It instantly pulls you into the world of the novel.

Storm Born by Richelle Mead – “I’d seen weirder things than a haunted shoe, but not many.” Again, a first line that immediately makes you want to read more. Also lets you know that there will be some dark humor ahead.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis – “Once there were four children called Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy.” Meh, not great as first lines go. Okay, so there’s four kids but what do I care? But, of course, the book overcomes it’s mediocre first line to become a literary classic.

And last but not least, Daughter of the Blood by Anne Bishop – “I am Tersa the Weaver, Tersa the Liar, Tersa the Fool.” A simple first line but it makes you want to know why she is a liar and a fool.

That was fun. I think we’ll do this again. Maybe I’ll start having a first line friday and randomly pull books off my shelf and list their first lines.

So what about you? Have any favorite first lines?