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Original poster

Guess the opening lines...

486 replies

kinkytoes · 14/05/2026 15:02

Hi all, hope it's ok to start this here.

Thought it might be fun and stretch the old grey matter a bit.

I'll attach a shot of some opening lines and whoever guesses correctly post their own?

We could all just post pics but then we might lose track. I don't mind.

Let me know what you think (of the idea, and the opening lines here - hopefully started off with an easyish one but let me know if any clues are needed!)

If it's being done elsewhere please someone direct me 😊

Guess the opening lines...
OP posts:
Original poster
kinkytoes · 14/05/2026 16:08

FeliciaFancybottom · 14/05/2026 16:00

These are my New Year’s resolutions:

  1. I will help the blind across the road.
  2. I will hang my trousers up.
  3. I will put the sleeves back on my records.
  4. I will not start smoking.
  5. I will stop squeezing my spots.
  6. I will be kind to the dog.
  7. I will help the poor and ignorant.
  8. After hearing the disgusting noises from
downstairs last night, I have also vowed never to drink alcohol.

The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4

Ohh I've answered one too now, get me 😄

And look at you all being digital and me photographing the actual book 🤣

OP posts:
FeliciaFancybottom · 14/05/2026 16:06

AnotherEmilee · 14/05/2026 15:56

Correct 😀

I will also supply the first couple of lines of the book I read last. Quite different to Vanity Fair:

The transformation occurred at approximately 2.23AM Pacific Standard Time. As far as I could tell, anyone who was indoors when it happened died instantly.

Show quote history

I borrowed this on Kindle Unlimited this morning after reading the sample! Looking forward to reading about Princess Donut more than anything.

Forgot to say - Dungeon Crawler Carl.

ShelfObsessed · 14/05/2026 16:03

FeliciaFancybottom · 14/05/2026 15:56

The English Patient?

Show quote history

Correct!

FeliciaFancybottom · 14/05/2026 16:00

These are my New Year’s resolutions:

  1. I will help the blind across the road.
  2. I will hang my trousers up.
  3. I will put the sleeves back on my records.
  4. I will not start smoking.
  5. I will stop squeezing my spots.
  6. I will be kind to the dog.
  7. I will help the poor and ignorant.
  8. After hearing the disgusting noises from
downstairs last night, I have also vowed never to drink alcohol.
CrossPurposes · 14/05/2026 15:59

I knew Vanity Fair and here's mine:

A fug of tobacco smoke and damp clammy air hit her as she entered the café. She had
come in from the rain and drops of water still trembled like delicate dew on the fur coats
of some of the women inside. A regiment of white-aproned waiters rushed around at
tempo, serving the needs of the Münchner at leisure – coffee, cake and gossip.

AnotherEmilee · 14/05/2026 15:56

HelenaWilson · 14/05/2026 15:49

AnotherEmilee

Is that Vanity Fair? I don't know the previous one.

Will come back with a contribution when I've thought of something that isn't too obvious.

Correct 😀

I will also supply the first couple of lines of the book I read last. Quite different to Vanity Fair:

The transformation occurred at approximately 2.23AM Pacific Standard Time. As far as I could tell, anyone who was indoors when it happened died instantly.

FeliciaFancybottom · 14/05/2026 15:56

ShelfObsessed · 14/05/2026 15:28

That’s from Watership Down which is one of my favourite books.

Here’s a quote from another of my favourite novels.

”She stands up in the garden where she has been working and looks into the distance. She has sensed a shift in the weather. There is another gust of wind, a buckle of noise in the air, and the tall cypresses sway. She turns and moves uphill toward the house, climbing over a low wall, feeling the first drops of rain on her bare arms. She crosses the loggia and quickly enters the house.”

Edited

The English Patient?

HelenaWilson · 14/05/2026 15:49

AnotherEmilee

Is that Vanity Fair? I don't know the previous one.

Will come back with a contribution when I've thought of something that isn't too obvious.

AnotherEmilee · 14/05/2026 15:43

I love this game, unfortunately I don't recognise either of those, but I can contribute the opening line of the book I am currently reading:

While the present century was in its teens, and on one sunshiny morning in June, there drove up to the great iron gate of Miss Pinkerton's academy for young ladies , on Chiswick Mall, a large family coach, with two fat horses in blazing harness, driven by a fat coachman in a three cornered hat and wig, at the rate of four miles an hour.

ShelfObsessed · 14/05/2026 15:28

That’s from Watership Down which is one of my favourite books.

Here’s a quote from another of my favourite novels.

”She stands up in the garden where she has been working and looks into the distance. She has sensed a shift in the weather. There is another gust of wind, a buckle of noise in the air, and the tall cypresses sway. She turns and moves uphill toward the house, climbing over a low wall, feeling the first drops of rain on her bare arms. She crosses the loggia and quickly enters the house.”

Original poster
kinkytoes · 14/05/2026 15:03

PS I'm not currently reading this but I have read it. Maybe that should be the rule, only post ones you've personally read.

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