Welcome to First Lines for the Holidays. December has more than just the Christmas holiday. See my posts on December Celebrations for some of the celebrations held this month.
For this First Lines Friday, here are a selection of first lines from science fiction and fantasy books that include or are about the holidays. I hope you find at least one you will enjoy.
Have you heard of the great Forest of Burzee?
The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum
There was a Christmas tree in the lobby when Lauren got to work, and the receptionist was sitting with her chin in her hand, watching the security monitor.
A Lot Like Christmas: Stories by Connie Willis
The Reverend Lizzie Blackmore slowly blinked awake, and found, to her surprise, that she was already furious.
The Lost Child of Lychford by Paul Cornell
Once there was a boy who lived in a cabin in the deep woods with no one for company but an old woman and an old man.
Hiddensee: A Tale of the Once and Future Nutcracker by Gregory Maguire
Santa Claus…
How vile your name upon my tongue. Like acid, hard to utter without spitting.
Krampus: The Yule Lord by Brom
So you’re looking at me, Mr. Big-Shot Journalist, as if you’re surprised to see a little gray-haired, gray-bearded man.
“On Venus, Have We Got a Rabbi” from Wandering Stars: An Anthology of Jewish Fantasy & Science Fiction by Jack Dann (Editor), William Tenn (Contribution by), Carol Carr (Contribution by), Robert Silverberg (Contribution by), Horace Gold (Contribution by)
Nan Killian was surrounded by mayhem. Deafening pandemonium.
A Scandal in Battersea, by Mercedes Lackey
Christmas crept into Pine Cover like a creeping Christmas thing: dragging garland, ribbon, and sleigh bells, oozing eggnog, reeking of pine, and threatening festive doom like a cold sore under the mistletoe.
The Stupidest Angel, by Christopher Moore
Happy Holidays!
I hope you enjoyed today’s First Lines for the Holidays. Whatever holiday you celebrate (or don’t celebrate) during December, I wish you good health, abundant happiness, and a year of excellent reading.