Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.
This week’s TTT is a freebie on book quotes. I’m not one to collect quotes from each book in detail, although I will highlight (in ebooks) quotes I found super interesting or well crafted for the context and story.
For that reason, I’ve chosen to highlight the first sentences of books I’ve recently finished reading or am currently reading. First lines are important as they help set the tone for drawing a reader in.
If you’ve read some of these books, do you think the first line is a good representation for the rest of the book? If you haven’t read these books, would you want to based on the first line?
Tell me what you think in the comments below!
1. A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross
It was safest to cross the ocean at night, when the moon and stars shone on the water.
2. This Place is Still Beautiful by XiXi Tian
The predicted rain on the first day of summer never comes, meaning I can count on two things: my mother spending most of the morning in the garden, and Thom Froggett coming by the Sprinkle Shoppe for a double scoop of Rocky Road in a waffle cone.
3. Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett
Spontaneity is overrated.
4. Rise of the Vicious Princess by C.J. Redwine
After tonight, the new hairstyle of Charis Willowthorn would be the only acceptable updo for a debutante to wear to a ball.
5. Portrait of a Thief by Grace D. Li
“State your name for the record, please.”
6. Don’t Forget Me by Judy Corry
Betting on my best friend’s love life was getting expensive.
7. The Signs and Wonders of Tuna Rashad by Natasha Deen
The planets are in precise alignment, the moons are in their proper houses, and the auspicious signs can’t be denied.
8. The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh
The myths of my people say only a true bride of the Sea God can bring an end to his insatiable wrath.
9. Cinder & Glass by Melissa de la Cruz
I was meant to be listening to Claudine explain how best to pack for the move to Versailles.
10. The Song that Moves the Sun by Anna Bright
We begin at the center.
Did any of these first lines stick out to you?
I will admit, some of these were marvellous and some were…different than what I anticipated the book to be. If you agree or disagree, let me know what you think!