Re: Bookworms:What are the best first lines you've read?
 

Would be good for me then -I have rotten eyesight, have been wearing specs since the age of two!

Call me old fashioned -I still love to have a book in my hand and turn the pages...:o

Re: Bookworms:What are the best first lines you've read?
 

"Roger, aged seven, and no longer the youngest of the family, ran in wide zigzags, to and fro, across the steep field that sloped up from the lake to Holly Howe, the farm where they were staying for part of the summer holidays. He ran until he nearly reached the hedge by the footpath, then turned and ran until he nearly reached the hedge on the other side of the field. Then he turned and crossed the field again. Each crossing of the field brought him nearer to the farm. The wind was against him, and he was tacking up against it to the farm, where at the gate his patient mother was awaiting him. He could not run straight because he was a sailing vessel, a tea-clipper, the Cutty Sark."

Another favourite from childhood -Swallows and Amazons. Bought it to re-read last year!

Re: Bookworms:What are the best first lines you've read?
 

I have had my kindle for almost a year now...and I wasn't sure I would like it, but I do.
I still read conventional books though.
It is a boon for those thick tomes......those that make your arm go to sleep.
I think if you got one Dianne, many of the classics are free...or very low cost and there is also the daily deal for the kindle (99p for a download)

Re: Bookworms:What are the best first lines you've read?
 

I love my Kindle which has really surprised me because having been an avid reader all my life I was unsure whether I would cope with not having the feel and smell of an actual book. It's a slightly different experience but equally enjoyable.
And as for the deteriorating eyesight, it was a real boon to me earlier this year when I was off work for a while with an eye condition which caused my sight to deteriorate, being able to increase the font size was really helpful. I would recommend the Kindle to anyone.

Re: Bookworms:What are the best first lines you've read?
 

Except for writers who's royalty payments for book sales will take a massive dive as a result or electronic books. ;) It will be much harder for new writers as is the case with music.

Re: Bookworms:What are the best first lines you've read?
 

I don't think that's true actually as an e-book has little or no cost and money payed for downloading onto a Kindle or computer will be nearly all profit. Don't know what % the writer gets but i bet they aren't out of pocket...

Re: Bookworms:What are the best first lines you've read?
 

Check this out Dianne.
The Authors Guild - E-Book Royalty Math: The House Always Wins

E-books also incur tax as software.

Re: Bookworms:What are the best first lines you've read?
 

Printed books are zero rated...e-books are charged at 20%VAT.

Re: Bookworms:What are the best first lines you've read?
 

That hadn't even occurred to me, if anything I thought I'd read somewhere that it was easier for previously unpublished writers to get their work into the public domain via electronic means. As of course it is for unknown musicians.

Re: Bookworms:What are the best first lines you've read?
 

Complicated -my brain's working on the right-hand side today -can't get my head round it Margaret!
Funny thing is I once did one of those psychological tests at Uni. that showed I was about 93% left -dominant - that will explain why I can't understand things on days like today...my mind is elsewhere, what little is left of it.:rolleyes:

Re: Bookworms:What are the best first lines you've read?
 

"The primroses were over." Richard Adams -Watership Down.

Loved this book as a girl - was also into James Herriot. It was the period when i wanted to be a vet...

Re: Bookworms:What are the best first lines you've read?
 

Was talking to friend Charlotte about this one yesterday -she had to study Lawrence at Uni. and found him hard going...

‘The Bottoms’ succeeded to ‘Hell Row’. Sons and Lovers.

Re: Bookworms:What are the best first lines you've read?
 

"What is this life if, full of care,/We have no time to stand and stare?" W. H. Davies, "Leisure".

Re: Bookworms:What are the best first lines you've read?
 

"Marx has copletely changed the way I view the world," declared the Pallières boy this morning, although ordinarily he says nary a word to me.

The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery (written originally in French)

There is a film version of this book which is also really good.

The last words of this book are actually better:
"Don't worry Renée, I won't commit suicide and i won't burn a thing.
Because from now on, for you, I'll be searching for those moments of always within never.
Beauty, in this world."