Wednesday, June 3, 2015

The power of first impressions...

Today whilst visiting a real-live book store, (I LOVE Amazon, but the smell of books is intoxicating therefore I must indulge, at least weekly) I came across a book in the children's section and upon seeing the Revolutionary-looking cover immediately plucked it from the shelf and was quickly lead to the book's companion in the series, prompting me to open to page one:

"The best time to talk to ghosts is just before the sun comes up."

Holy whaaaaaaaat????

OK, let's be honest, I was not expecting THAT--that, my friends, is a GREAT opening line!!! (In my humble opinion.)
From thence, I was hooked-- I needed to keep reading Laurie Halse Anderson's CHAINS, and afterward FORGE. Here's the funny thing, though. I ended up buying the book I actually went to the store to buy--THE MOUSE AND THE MOTORCYCLE, BUT I seriously can't stop thinking about that book and so inevitably I will buy it and read it. That's a powerful first line!

It got me to thinking... what are some of the opening lines/sentances of books that you love? Since we focus mainly on HCR's around here, tell me what HCR had you from the first sentance!

Here are my three: (See if you can guess which ones they are...)

"After two years, they'd finally cut him loose."

 "This Street Is Impassable, Not Even Jackassable."

 "His name was Judas."

Any ideas?!?!?! It was REALLY hard to cut it down to only three, I could go on and on. In fact...
here are a few more just for fun:

"This is madness."

 "Half-hidden beneath the bare-limbed canopy of a dogwood tree, the grave digger kept a reverent distance..."

 "A nightmare seized him from sleep, turned around his throat, and filled his mouth so full he could not cry out."

I am sure you are curious for the answers if you don't know these books, so I'll post the answers in a few days.

PLEASE tell your favorite first lines!!!! I would love to know!!

Also, I wanted to thank you for your insights and comments on my Kindle post. You ladies are wonderful!

I look forward to your comments!!

Happy Reading!
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10 comments:

  1. Tamara LeighJune 3, 2015 at 3:51 PM

    Ooh, ooh! Hand going up, but...lips sealed :)

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  2. Jennifer MajorJune 3, 2015 at 3:59 PM

    No clue!! Since I only read in Latin...yeah, who believes that!

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    Replies
    1. Amber PerryJune 3, 2015 at 4:08 PM

      But you do read French and Spanish, no? I hope you are feeling ok. Jambiffer is NOT allowed to feel crummy!!

      Delete
  3. Laura FrantzJune 3, 2015 at 4:37 PM

    Oh, what a great post! THIS IS MADNESS really got me ~ but they're all GOOD:) NO, Jambiffer is NOT allowed to be under the weather!!

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    Replies
    1. Amber PerryJune 3, 2015 at 4:39 PM

      Laura!!! That book STILL lingers in my heart and mind and I really just need to go read it again! :) Thank you for stopping by, you made my day!! Much love to you, Laura!

      Delete
  4. AnonymousJune 4, 2015 at 9:04 PM

    Ok - - my hand is going up and .... my lips are NOT sealed - - I do recognize 2 of them as among my "favs" also -- "His name was Judas." is from "The Longing" and "A nightmare seized him from sleep" is from "The Unveiling" - - both Tamara Leigh books (who can forget Garr Wulfrith . . . sigh ......)
    And I think the "half hidden beneath the bare limbed canopy of a dogwood tree" is from one of Tamara Alexander's books.
    But I'm stumped on the others - - although very curious!!!
    I'll add 3 other of my favorite openings - - can you guess the book & author?

    "To the death"

    "She came to him in the still of a night whose dark edges were beginning to fray."

    "He has the kind of face that girls whisper about. Except there's something deeper there and I feel a twinge of sorrow. That feeling when something lovely is about to be spent. Wasted."

    Ok Amber - - - name that tune - er, ... book - - lol.
    And I look forward to you naming yours!
    This is a very fun post - - it's good to see you!!!

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    1. Amber PerryJune 10, 2015 at 9:42 AM

      PAM!!!!
      You are awesome!!! 1,000 points for you!!! YOU WIN! LOL JK Thank you for playing, that was fun!
      As for yours....I am sure one is a Tamara book, "To the death", but I could be wrong. I also think the next one is, but not sure. As for the last one, I have no idea! SO you must tell me, because I am so curious!!!
      I'll put up the answers to my books in a few days...

      Delete
    2. Amber PerryJune 10, 2015 at 9:43 AM

      Thank you again, Pam! I always look forward to your comments. :)

      Delete
  5. AnonymousJune 10, 2015 at 6:57 PM

    ding... ding... ding....... We have a winner!!! You get a cuppi doll or a teddy bear - - but you WIN Amber!!!!
    Yes!! - - "To the death" is from "The Redeeming" - - and "She came to him in the still of a night" is from "The Kindling" - both Tamara Leigh books.
    And the last line - - "He has the kind of face that girls whisper about." - is "This Quiet Sky" - Joanne Bischof.
    And I agree with you that opening lines are such attention grabbers!!
    OK - - now I'm still sooooooooo curious about yours - - especially "This is madness" ????? - - I hope to see a new blog post about yours very soon!!!
    Still LOVIN your blog post and pics from your photo shoot - - sooooo AWESOME!!!!

    ReplyDelete

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