Judge by the first line

You should not judge a book by its cover, but what about judging a book

By its opening line that has the ability to get you hooked

A cryptic, odd, bizarre or thought-provoking line

Or one that sends a shiver down your spine

A line so intriguing that it draws you into the story

A line powerful enough to lodge permanently in your memory

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Being able to carve the perfect opening statement

Is to the author’s writing prowess a testament

Through the first line the stage is set for the readers to see

What the author wants to show them through the story

I’ve selected books based on a terrific first line

And almost always the books have turned out fine

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Let me open the first chapter of the book in hand, and read the first line

Let me judge whether reading the book is worth my time…