The first thing you are drawn to when you begin a story is the opening line. Often that line can make or break weather you want to read a book or not. I wanted to share opening lines from books on my shelves I haven’t read yet to see if they actually make me want to read that book as of right now. 

Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore 


Prolouge 

When he grabs Mama’s wrist and yanks her toward the wall hanging like that, it must hurt. 

Freeks by Amanda Hocking


Prolouge 

 Behind me, the branches and trees crunched and snapped as the creature tore through them. 

And I Darken by Kiersten White 


Chapter 1

Vlad Dracul’s heavy brow descended like a storm when the doctor informed him that his wife had given birth to a girl. 

Replica by Lauren Oliver 


Lyra : Chapter 1 

On very still nights sometimes we can hear them chanting, calling for us to die. 

Gemma : Chapter 1 

Escape: that was what Gemma dreamed of, especially on nights like this one, when the moon was so big and bright it looked like it was a set piece in a movie, hooked outside her window on a curtain of dark sky. 

The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong


Twelve years earlier…

Mommy forgot to warn the new babysitter about the basement. 

Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye


Chapter 1

Of all my many murders, committed for love and for better reasons, the first was the most important. 

Jane by April Lindner 


Chapter 1 

The chairs in the lobby of Discriminating Nannies, inc., were less comfortable then they looked. 

Frozen by Melissa De La Cruz and Michael Johnston


The Voice of the Monster 

They were coming for her. 

Made For You by Melissa Marr


Day 0: “The Party”

Eva

“Did you see her?” Piper whispers, lifting the same plastic cup of wine she’s been holding the past two hours as of it hides her. 

Free to Fall by Lauren Miller 


Chapter 1 

It came in a plain white envelope, which made both more and less of its significance. 

Alive by Scott Sigler 


Chapter 1 

A stabbing pain jolts me awake. 

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah


Chapter 1 

April 9th, 1995 

The Oregon Coast

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. 

For so many reasons I want to read all these books and for quite a few I had to stop myself from wanting to dive in past the first line cough cough *Jane Steele* cough cough. In truth I’m excited for all of these and I can’t wait to dive into these books on my shelves! 

Thanks for reading! I hope you liked this post. Which of these lines stood out to you the most? If you have read any of these books, what did you think of them? I hope to speak with you all down in the comments. 

-Till Next time!

24 thoughts on “Opening Lines From My TBR”

  1. That Jayne Steele one definitely pops out for me! How can you resist an opening line like that? I also never really realized how violent that first line of Bitterblue comes off. I’ve read the book a dozen times and so much of the story can be tied back to that line. Interesting.

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    1. So true! For some reason And I Darkens opening line made me want to laugh cause the fathers all like how dare I be weak enough to bear a daughter after having so many sons (or well let’s just say I read the whole paragraph instead of just the opening line.

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  5. I really want to read Bitterblue! I’m hoping it’s as wonderful as Graceling. And I Darken and Jane Steele had the most intriguing lines, in my opinion. I don’t know what Made for You is about but I’ve been wanting to read more Melissa Marr for the longest time!
    Great post, Tiana, and great choices! 😉

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    1. Thank you! I’m glad you liked this post! I couldn’t resist starting Bitterblue today after creating this post yesterday. And I Darken and Jane Steele also have really awesome first lines!

      Also here is the synopsis for Made for you, in case you were interested: Bestselling author of the Wicked Lovely books Melissa Marr’s first contemporary YA novel is a twisted southern gothic tale of obsession, romance, and murder. A killer is obsessed with Eva Tilling. Can she stop him, or will he claim her?

      When Eva Tilling wakes up in the hospital, she’s confused—who in her sleepy little North Carolina town could have hit her with their car? And why? But before she can consider the question, she finds that she’s awoken with a strange new skill: the ability to foresee people’s deaths when they touch her. While she is recovering from the hit-and-run, Nate, an old flame, reappears, and the two must traverse their rocky past as they figure out how to use Eva’s power to keep her friends—and themselves—alive. But while Eva and Nate grow closer, the killer grows increasingly frantic in his attempt to get to Eva.

      For the first time, New York Times bestselling author Melissa Marr has applied her extraordinary talent to contemporary realism. Chilling twists, unrequited obsession, and high-stakes romance drive this Gothic, racy thriller—a story of small-town oppression and salvation. Melissa’s fans, and every YA reader, will find its wild ride enthralling.

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  8. I’ve read some of these! I love the Bitterblue opening line. Sounds so ominous. Seeing as your a huge fan of Graceling, I really hope you end up loving Bitterblue! 😀

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  10. This was a neat idea for a post. I like it. 🙂
    The Nightingale is SUCH a good book! It’s so well-written. I’ll openly admit to balling my eyes out while reading part of it. I remember staying up really late to read the last quarter of it because I refused to put it down. lol

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