The first line may just be the most important sentence in your book. The best opening lines in books entice us to keep reading until the very last page.
But how do you craft a solid hook?
Today we will look at some of the best opening lines in books and discuss how to start a story successfully. There are some truly unforgettable opening lines in literature that instantly pull readers into the world of the story. Here are a few of the best:
1. “Call me Ishmael.”
— Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
Simple, direct, and iconic, this line sets the stage for the epic journey and mysterious nature of the narrative.
2. “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness…”
— A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
One of the most famous opening lines in literature, it establishes the tumultuous nature of the time period and foreshadows the contrasts that will play out throughout the novel.
3. “All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”
— Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
This line masterfully captures the essence of the novel and its exploration of family, relationships, and the complexities of human emotion.
4. “The sun shone, having no alternative, on the nothing new under the sun.”
— The Stranger by Albert Camus
This line encapsulates the detached, existential tone of the novel and the protagonist’s disconnection from the world around him.
5. “It was a pleasure to burn.”
— Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
This chilling and provocative opening immediately immerses you in the dystopian world of book burning and censorship, sparking curiosity.
6. “There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it.”
— The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis
A playful yet insightful line that hints at the whimsical tone of the Narnia series, while also setting up Eustace’s character arc.
7. “You will rejoice to hear that no disaster has accompanied the commencement of an enterprise which you have regarded with such evil forebodings.”
— Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
This line, spoken in a letter from a captain to his sister, subtly introduces the themes of ambition, isolation, and the unknown.
8. “The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed.”
— The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger by Stephen King
This taut, mysterious line introduces the pursuit of the enigmatic man in black, propelling the reader into the world of Roland and the epic saga that follows.
9. “It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.”
— 1984 by George Orwell
The eerie, unsettling atmosphere of this line sets the tone for the dystopian world of Orwell’s classic, where reality itself is manipulated.
10. “I am an invisible man.”
— Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
This stark, direct opening immediately conveys the novel’s themes of identity and alienation, drawing the reader into the narrator’s complex world.
11. “The sky above the port was the color of television, tuned to a dead channel.”
— Neuromancer by William Gibson
This cyberpunk classic opens with a visually striking line, full of imagery that reflects the novel’s blend of technology and bleakness.
12. “I was born in the year of the dragon.”
— The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
This line introduces readers to the narrator’s heritage, foreshadowing the deeper exploration of family and identity.
13. “The man who passes the sentence should swing the sword.”
— A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
This line sets up the moral and political complexities of the novel’s world, establishing the weight of responsibility in leadership.
14. “Marley was dead, to begin with.”
— A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
A witty, yet ominous, opening that invites the reader into the world of the supernatural while establishing the tone of the story.
These are some of the best opening lines in books. They are memorable for their clarity, originality, and the way they encapsulate the essence of their stories in just a few words.
So, how do the authors do it? Let’s discuss how to write the best opening lines in books.
How to start a book well
Starting a book with a good hook is crucial because it grabs the reader’s attention immediately and compels them to keep reading.
The goal of a hook is to create curiosity, raise questions, or establish an emotional connection right from the first few sentences or paragraphs.
Here are several strategies you can use to craft the best opening lines in books:
Start with an intriguing question
A question, either direct or implied, invites the reader to think and want to find the answer. It sets up a sense of mystery or conflict.
Example:
“What would you do if you woke up one morning and everything you knew was gone?”
It’s great because it introduces a conflict or moral dilemma for a character, while also making the reader an active participant in the novel’s experience.
Introduce an unusual or memorable character
A character with a unique voice, unusual perspective, or strange behavior can immediately engage readers.
Example:
“The first time I killed someone, I was seven years old.”
I’m not bound to forget that one any time soon, are you?!?
Begin in the middle of an action scene
Jumping into an action-packed moment can create immediate excitement. The reader is thrown into the chaos, which encourages them to read on to understand what’s going on.
Example:
“The bullet grazed my ear as I ducked behind the dumpster, heart pounding in my chest.”
Why ease into the inciting incident when you can plunge the reader right in from the first line? I love this – especially for thriller or action novels.
Start with a bold, surprising statement
A shocking, thought-provoking, or counterintuitive statement can make readers pause and think, drawing them in to see how the story unfolds.
Example:
“I was born to die.”
I don’t know about you, but when I read something like this, I just can’t wait to see where the story arc is going to take us. All I know is it’s bound to be interesting! It’s like reading the last page first (though I would never).
Create a vivid, sensory setting
Describing a setting in rich, sensory detail can immerse the reader in the world you’re building. A strong atmosphere right at the start can give the reader a sense of place and tone.
Example:
“The rain came in sheets, dark and heavy, washing the streets in cold silver light.”
A visceral story setting really sets the mood and introduces a certain vibe without ever revealing anything about the novel’s characters or plot. It reveals nothing, yet perfectly sets the stage.
Use dialogue to reveal conflict
A compelling piece of dialogue can immediately set up a conflict, hint at a mystery, or introduce character dynamics.
Example:
“’If you ever come near my daughter again, I’ll kill you,’ he said, his voice low and steady.”
If you know how to write good dialogue – and there’s plenty in your novel – use it!
Give a glimpse of the protagonist’s inner struggle
Sometimes, starting with an emotional or psychological conflict that the character is dealing with can hook readers by tapping into universal human experiences.
Example:
“I had never been afraid of dying until I woke up in a place I knew I would never leave.”
This instantly humanizes your character and helps readers connect on a more personal level.
Introduce a strong theme or concept
If your novel is centered around a big idea or concept, starting with a statement that addresses that theme directly can draw readers into the story’s intellectual or philosophical underpinnings.
Example:
“The truth is a virus, and it spreads faster than anything we can control.”
Sometimes your book theme can be overt. A strong theme doesn’t require deep analysis to be moving and impactful.
Establish a mystery or suspense
Opening with something unexplained, whether it’s a strange event or a cryptic observation, can raise immediate questions in the reader’s mind.
Example:
“I didn’t know who had left the message on my doorstep, but I knew it was a warning.”
A great opening line example for any mystery book or cozy mystery writers!
Use humor or wit
Starting with something funny or sarcastic can immediately endear a character to the reader. It’s an effective way to set the tone, especially for a light-hearted or satirical story.
Example:
“I wasn’t supposed to be here today. But I was, and that’s the kind of thing that always happens when you’re running late.”
Humor works in every genre. And, like some of the more mysterious opening line examples here, sets the tone of what’s ahead.
Introduce a contradiction or paradox
A sentence that defies expectations or sets up a paradox can be intriguing. Readers are naturally curious to discover how the contradiction unfolds.
Example:
“I was alone, and yet I had never felt more crowded in on.”
Paradox is a great literary device to employ for an author, as most of us can relate to the hidden truths in this line.
Use a flashback or memory
Starting with a flashback or a powerful memory can add depth and make the reader want to know more about the past and how it relates to the present.
Example:
“I remember the first time I saw her, standing in the rain, crying as if the world had ended.”
Ahhh, hindsight. This builds instant depth to your character (if in a fiction novel) or even your own personal anecdote (as you might use in a nonfiction book).
Tips for crafting the best opening lines in books
Now that you’ve seen plenty of examples of the best opening lines in books, you should be ready to craft one yourself! Here are some tips to remember when writing your hook.
- Be concise but impactful. The first line or two should give just enough to hook the reader without overwhelming them with details.
- Set the tone early. Whether your story is a fast-paced thriller, a reflective literary novel, or a humorous romp, the hook should immediately signal the tone and style of the book.
- Make it emotionally engaging. Whether it’s a question that sparks curiosity or an image that evokes a strong feeling, aim for something that resonates emotionally with the reader.
- Raise questions, not answers. Your hook should suggest a mystery or conflict that makes the reader want to know more. Don’t give everything away upfront.
- Consider the genre. The best hooks vary by genre. A thriller may open with action, a romance with longing, or a fantasy with mystery.
Starting a book with a great hook is all about building intrigue, creating emotional resonance, and compelling the reader to continue. Keep it simple, but make it impactful!
Still debating your opening line? Let a selfpublishing.com book coach help you! We help both fiction and nonfiction authors with every step of the book writing and publishing process. We’ll help you refine your story, conquer writer’s block, edit out any plot holes, publish your book, and even create a launch plan to set you up for best-selling success!