artsy musings of a bibliophile

Top Ten Tuesday: Beginnings and Endings

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Today’s post sure as hell took a lot of time to take shape. I literally started learning Photoshop yesterday and I thought it’d be great to incorporate some of my learning into something presentable. And then my internet decided to stop working so here I am, late to the Top Ten party this Tuesday. Anyway, all of these sentences are from my absolute favorite books however, I haven’t as much of time I’d have liked to ponder over them so there are not strictly the top ten. (See, I could be a perfectionist if I try really hard).

Note: The last line is a spoiler for anyone who hasn’t read The Hunger Games trilogy so please steer clear of it.

END OF THE BEGINNING

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer plays perfectly with words making them appear gloriously dark and creepy as proven by the opening line. It is just how I like my mystery to be.

Falling Under is another book that is ghastly beautiful and its play on words oozing out a liquidy dreaminess which made me want to go on reading it. (It made me spew out a hard-to-get-into sentence right there).

The opening line of Take Me There immediately made me wonder whether the place is physical or merely mystical and thus began a tumultuous journey with Dylan. I’ve no words to describe just how much I love this book. (I mean, I do have some).
No explanation needed for it’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

The opening sentence of Five Flavors of Dumb borders on ending up having a dramatic flair and in piquing my curiosity. This book is adorable and Piper is a very cool character. I think we could be best friends.

BEGINNING OF THE END

My thoughts exactly! But because I didn’t want From What I Remember… to end. It’s a perfect road trip book that is equal parts hilarious and emotional. Loved.
An epic cliffhanger ending if there ever was one! My heart was thundering when I finished the book and I had to calm myself down because everything was just so- bright and calm and what-the-what-! in my mind. Just One Day, I love you.

I wanted to pick the opening line instead but there’s just something so attractive when a book that made you feel ALL the feels ends on a driving-into-the-sunset note. Sigh.
There’s a world of difference between the Katniss of The Hunger Games and that of Mockingjay that never fails to astound me. Sometimes you just have to succumb to the disease of the mind before you succumb to your impending death.

I think I’d have died if I’ve read Catching Fire when it was first released because that cliffhanger of an ending is a killer. But it’s my favorite kind of a killer. Catching Fire is a shocker book and because of that alone, I just love it the best in the trilogy.


What do you think? Which five does it for you? Are you for beginnings or endings? Leave a link to your post because I’m all for sentences this week!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Great list! I can't believe I forgot to include Dumb on my list. I love that book so much. I can't wait for Just One Year. I find that I prefer Forman's male POV books better. I think I need to order From What I Remember for my library. I love road trip books! Thanks for sharing~Megan
    http://wp.me/pzUn5-1Bs

  3. I included all three Hunger Games books for my favorite endings; they're just so good!

  4. First off, I LOVE your blog look and how make you posts. LOVE it! Now, back to the books! I haven't read most of these, though I have read a few. I like the opening of HARRY POTTER, and I think I favor the ends to the Mara Dyer books over the beginnings. And MOCKINGJAY–that's one line I'll always remember. I just really, really like it, and I don't remember many quotes. I've considered getting it as a tattoo. Thanks for stopping by!

    Rachel @ Beauty and the Bookshelf

  5. I'm still kicking myself for not including Harry Potter. It's one of my all-time favourite beginnings, and I love the style. It just makes me want to pick up the book right now! Haha

  8. Wow, you have some mad Photoshop skills. I especially love what you did with the first line of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. 🙂

  9. Yes, the beginning of Falling Under was sooo good! I was like what, -gapes-, and was immediately invested with the book 100%.
    Great list Sana & thanks for stopping by my TTT! (:

  10. Ooooh photoshop! I always wish I spent more time playing with it. I bet my posts would be much better if I did because there so often just text text text. But that'd take more time! I don't have time! Ahhhh!

    But pretty! I think "Darkest place I've ever been" is my favorite line here. I'm with you. I automatically wonder if it's mental or physical, and really… I love darkness in a story. I just know it's going to emotional, and I love it.

    And yeah, Hunger Games for the win! I REALLY need to reread the books. I could just watch the movies, yeah, but I miss knowing what happened in the books. Stupid book amnesia ><

  11. I definitely agree with what you said about THG! If I had read Catching Fire without having Mockingjay to dive into right after, I would have gone INSANE. That last bit is a total cliffhanger!

  13. I haven't thought about Falling Under in a while, but I forgot how great that opening sentence was! Thanks for reminding me. I also love the rest of your choices, especially Catching Fire. I just about died when I read that for the first time! Thanks for sharing. 🙂

  14. Great job on the photoshop! I remember I spent DAYS learning how to use it and not getting very far. It's a time-suck for sure. I love Unbecoming of Mara Dyer quote, and the From What I Remember book totally sold me. I haven't even heard of it before, but the image and the quote immediately made me look it up. Adding that to my wish-list for sure.