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▶️ Debates > First Line of the Book: How important?

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message 1: by Rushali, Head Mod (new)

Rushali Gupta (happy_soul) | 5557 comments Mod
What do you think, how important is the opening line of a book?

Share your thoughts with us, here!


message 2: by Austin (new)

Austin George | 471 comments It's not important as far as I am concerned. Usually only 1/3 of books I read excited me straightaway. It takes 15-20 pages to get a hang of the book. Sometimes it even takes the first 50 pages.


message 3: by Shawna (new)

Shawna Finnigan (sugoishawn) | 945 comments Austin wrote: "It's not important as far as I am concerned. Usually only 1/3 of books I read excited me straightaway. It takes 15-20 pages to get a hang of the book. Sometimes it even takes the first 50 pages."

I completely agree with you. It always take me a while to get truly interested and invested in books


message 4: by Nathan (new)

Nathan (nathan-93) What happens is that first sentence holds less value when I start a book, once I finish that book & it is ingrained [caused a deep impact] in me -----> first sentence becomes a fond memory!!!

Ex: Last Night I dreamt that I went to Manderley again!!!

Mr. and Mrs. Dursley of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much.

Joost had two problems: the moon and his moustache


message 5: by Erica (new)

Erica | 1309 comments The first sentence isn't important to me. I usually take the first chapter, or less, to decide if I'm going to read the book. I had a reading challenge prompt last year that required a 'great first line' and I could never remember the first sentence when I finished the book even if I had scoped the book out for that prompt. I know a couple of famous first lines from trivia but I don't focus on that type of thing.


message 6: by Fabitha (new)

Fabitha (fabitha89) | 575 comments The opening line is not very important to me as a way to engage me in reading, but still I have one in my heart that I'm very fond of (and it struck me when I first read it as really powerful).

But I woudn't spoil it for you, so I recommend going to a library and open the first volume of the Dark Tower, aka The Gunslinger by King. It's worth it.


message 7: by Erica (new)

Erica | 1309 comments Agreed Fabitha, that opener is a good one, even if the book wasn't for me.


message 8: by Fabitha (new)

Fabitha (fabitha89) | 575 comments Glad you agree Erica! I'm sorry the book didn't click for you, a very rare occurence where our tastes diverge XD


message 9: by Erica (new)

Erica | 1309 comments Very true Fabitha. I think watching The Dark Tower movie first didn't help either.


message 10: by Fabitha (new)

Fabitha (fabitha89) | 575 comments Ew, that movie was really bad! I love both Elba and McConaughey but...that was bad. And it held not a single flick of the magnificence of the story.


message 11: by Erica (new)

Erica | 1309 comments Haha yeah no clue how they came up with the movie.


message 12: by Unknown (new)

Unknown Reader | 180 comments I personally think opening line isn’t important but it is a huge bonus to have a good opening line. It just raises the anticipation and excitement you have for the book. Also, a cool opening line might even turn out to be memorable.


message 13: by Booktastically (new)

Booktastically Amazing (booktasticallyamazing) | 130 comments Me, myself and I, well, we think that it's supremely, mega extremely, humongous, incredibly important. For the only reason that I'm very indecisive whilst picking a book, so I minimize the search by reading the first sentence and seeing if I'm hooked enough to continue with the book.


message 14: by LittleRedReader (new)

LittleRedReader I think the opening line is one of the biggest parts!


message 15: by Lindsay (new)

Lindsay | 4 comments I think the opening line is important but for me it's up to that opening chapter. One line won't stop me from reading but a failed exhibition chapter often has me setting aside a book before I even "officially" start reading it.


Shera (Book Whispers) (sherabookwhispers) | 382 comments I know some books can take up to 50 pages, or even half the book to pay off. Some of my favorite series start that way.

However, if a first line or page captures my attention I won't lie: I insta-buy!


message 17: by Nora (new)

Nora I think the First lime is pretty important or at least a little haha. If I see an interesting book at the book store I sometimes read the first couple of sentences and then Decide if I want to buy it.


message 18: by Juj (new)

Juj | 11 comments I think the first 3 paragraphs are more important than just the first line


message 19: by Lisette (new)

Lisette (illusie) | 1284 comments not really. But the few pages are.


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