First Lines is a series of blog articles posted on around the first of the month. The first line of a story, we’re told, must hook the reader. Implied is that the reader will not buy the book if the first line isn’t great. These entries are from Amazon, my personal library, or other online booksellers. For these two special occasions I’ve collected novels and short reads in a range of genres including women’s literary fiction, LGBTQ+ stories, fairy tales, romantic fantasies, to paranormal and time travel, classics, psychological stories, dystopian, post apocalyptic, and space colonization. Does one of these first lines hook you? Do you want to read more?
We didn’t believe it when we first heard it because you know how church folk can gossip.
The Mothers by Brit Bennett
I thought making love to the Sun was the most unendurable pain I would ever experience.
Star Mother by Charlie N. Holmberg
I skipped up the steps to Ava’s house, glaring at them as I went, not trusting that the boards would stay in place.
Faery Odd-Mother
Witching After Forty Book 8
by Lia Davis and L.A. Boruff,
For the tenth time, Kay nervously looks up at the departures hologram as we pass through security.
Hamartia by Raquel Rich
Dr Strauss says I shoud rite down what I think and remembir and evrey thing that happins to me from now on.
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
Hallelujah! One more consultation and I was free.
Flowers, Felons, & Families
The Magical Midlife Flower Farm Series Book 1
by Lucia Kuhl
The full-bellied moon cast a silver sheen across Vateshram Forest, the shadows stark against their illuminated backdrop.
To Bleed a Crystal Bloom,
Crystal Bloom Book One
by Sarah A. Parker
Are we crazy?” It wasn’t the first time I had asked that, and I doubted it would be the last time before we got to where we were going.
The Morning Flower: The Omte Origins
From the World of the Trylle
by Amanda Hocking
Set it down there, on the back table I’m using for a workbench,” Mouser said. “What do you think of my new location?
Bits of Flower
EarthCent Metaverse Book 2
by E. M. Foner
It is a good day.
My room is bright and all my toys are here, even the ones Mother thinks I’ve outgrown.
“Mother, Mother, will you play with Me?” by Seanan McGuire from
Mother of Invention: extraordinary short stories about gender
editors Rivqa Rafael and Tansy Rayner Roberts
Their treads tucked tight to their bodies, their wings outspread, they headed north in tight formation.
The Mother Code by Carole Stivers
Two men monitored the operation from the safety their ground vehicle on a ridge twelve kilometers from the crater.
Mother of Mars
The Destin Chronicles Book 7
by D.M. Pruden
Clarification
There are no affiliate links in this post. I don’t make a cent off of the books listed on this page. Usually these titles are pulled at random. They are here for your enjoyment. And to entice you to buy more books.
Do You Want to Read More?
I have to say, I want to read many of these. Especially Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes. It is one of my most memorable reads. I’ve put it on my list to re-read again—soon.
Did you enjoy this list? Check out previous First Lines posts. Please take a moment to share in the comments below— Which ones spoke to you? Did you buy it?