We’re told, the first line of a story must hook the reader. I am proud to celebrate Pride Month with first lines from books listed as inclusive of characters from the LGBTIQA+ community. These entries are from Amazon, my personal library, or other online booksellers.
If you’re ambivalent about reading these books, focus on these first lines. Do these first lines hook you? Do you want to read more? Then you’ll like it, so read it.
As she woke up in the pod, she remembered three things. First, she was traveling through open space. Second, she was about to start a new job, one she could not screw up.
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet, Becky Chambers
My abuelo says that there are people who belong to the earth, and others, like us Martinezes, belong to the sky.
The Last 8, Laura Pohl
The birds plummeted to the tarmac, wings loose and limp. They struck the ground with such force that their bodies smashed into dark slicks on the concrete.
Adaptation, Malinda Lo
I have a ball of starlight inside me. A globe, containing a billion bright pinpricks.
Victories Greater Than Death, Charlie Jane Anders
At Ken Academy, an instructor had explained to Cheris’s class that the threshold winnower was a weapon of last resort, and not just for its notorious connotations.
Ninefox Gambit, Machineries of Empire, Book 1, Yoon Ha Lee
Shhh…
Yes, it hurt. It was definitely not just a bruise.
Light From Uncommon Stars, Ryka Aoki
In the beginning, there were two brother-gods: the God of Salt and the God of the Sun.
We Set the Dark on Fire, Tehlor Kay Mejia
We are the cerulean. Our blood is magic.
Sera’s mothers had told her this since the day she was born, before she could speak or think or understand what it meant.
The Cerulean, Amy Ewing
Pallas sat sidesaddle on the kitchen counter, velvet ankle boots resting daintily in the deep porcelain sink.
All of Us with Wings, Michelle Ruiz Keil
Tomman Hail of House Ever-Loyal was going to die before the sun rose.
Master of One, Jaida Jones & Dani Bennett
Nine hundred and ninety-nine candles lit the Iron Shrine.
Anna curved a crescent moon across her chest—in honor of the Goddess she didn’t believe in—to disguise tucking three coppers from the offering tray into her Burgundy coat.
Heart of Iron, Ashley Poston
I walk to the bus station by myself.
There’s always a fuss over my paperwork when I leave.
Carry On, Simon Snow Trilogy Book 1, Rainbow Rowell
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?
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?
Some of my favorite books of all time are on this list (not just for Pride month)! I’ve added the rest of these to my TBR queue.
Hi, Terry, Sorry I missed this on Monday. My excuse is that I was catching up on sleep after enjoying my local science fiction conventions, ConQuest 54. Anyway, I’m delighted you found old favorites and new titles for you TBR. Thanks for sharing!