How is it another Top Ten Tuesday (hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl) again! How the week flies by! I intended to highlight the first lines of books by different writers when I first saw this topic, but changed my mind when I was attempting to choose my favourite first line from one of my ‘must read’ authors, Amy Matayo. Trying to choose the first line I love best from her books proved to be a helpless endeavour, so I decided to highlight them all! Well, two-thirds to be exact.

First lines do hold greater meaning once you have read the books, so every first line here moves me as I know the greatness of these stories. Amy has a way with words that is compelling, evocative, and grabs my attention every time I pick up one of her books. If you have yet to read one of Amy’s books, I strongly recommend you click on one of the titles below and start your Matayo journey!

Which line grabs your interest the most?

The Whys Have It 

My past just caught up to me, because for one careless second I forgot to run.

Sway 

There’s something inherently pure about the sound of a needle on vinyl–the crackle, the static, the rich undertones of music playing in its most basic, unprocessed form–especially rare vinyl which few people own.

The End of the World

The sun hasn’t yet dipped under the rooftop of the neighbor’s two story clapboard house, but the music from Mrs. Miller’s old stereo is already playing by the time the front door slams behind me.

Lies We Tell Ourselves

There are ghosts inside the closet, and one just grabbed my neck.

The Waves

I’m drowning again.

The Aftermath

“Order up, Buttercup.”

The Last Shot

I toss my phone on the table and take two steps away when another text comes through.

A Painted Summer

I am Darby Sparks, and I’m afraid of almost everything.

Christmas at Gate 18

Maybe the impending storm is putting me in a worse mood than usual, but there are only so many times a girl can repeat the exact same question in the exact same way to the exact came person without feeling her mind begin to unravel.

The Thirteenth Chance

I am a fourth-grade teacher, but on days like today I’m not entirely sure why.