The Hobbit – This Stack of Books

If you like adventurous, action-packed stories with smells you can almost smell and characters you feel right beside, you might like:

Swipe by Evan Angler: In the future American Union, where you must be Marked with nano-ink to get a job, be a citizen, or buy things, Logan and Erin, two young people who are beginning to question if the government’s way of doing things is right,discover that the truth may be complicated… and frightening.

The Hobbit by J.R. R. Tolkien: Bilbo Baggins is a respectable, ordinary hobbit who stays faraway from adventure, until the wizard Gandalf chooses him to help a group of dwarves overcome the dragon Smaug and take back his mountain.

The Girl Who Could See by Kara Swanson: Fern Johnson can see into a world nobody else can, and has been labeled crazy for it, until it appears that danger from that world may destroy her own.

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson: The three Igiby siblings hold the legend and the jewels of King Wingfeather from the Shining Isle of Anniera, and the wicked Fangs of Dang pursue them relentlessly. They and their dog Nugget will need everything they have to survive the chase of the wicked Fangs.

The Green Ember by S. D. Smith: Rabbits with swords.

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart: Four children embark on a special undercover mission at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened.

Fawkes by Nadine Brandes: Everyone blames everyone else for the Stone Plague, but Thomas realizes that it is spreading and he must choose between proving himself to his father and betraying the girl he loves.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer: Cinder must uncover her past to protect her world in this exciting dystopian fairy-tale retelling.

Eragon by Christopher Paolini: An Alagaesian boy named Eragon discovers a dragon egg and becomes a Dragon Rider, putting him in the middle of a war between an evil king and those who resist him.

100 Cupboards by N. D. Wilson: After his parents disappear, Henry York moves to Kansas where he and his cousin discover hidden doors that lead to other worlds.

Let’s chat!

Have you read anything on this list? What would you add? Do you like adventure stories?

I was starting a blog post, and wondering exactly what I should start it with, and that got me thinking about opening lines. Then I started remembering and repeating and laughing over some of my favorite first lines. So, in no particular order, ten of my favorite opening lines in fiction.

“There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it.” —C. S. Lewis, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader This quote is just wonderful. It’s something to be said when you’re in the elevator with strangers and there is that awkward, smiling silence. It’s funny, it’s cute, and it grabs your attention.

“This is my favorite book in all the world, though I have never read it.” – William Goldman, The Princess Bride Sorry, sir, but I’m not sure I want you reviewing my book if I ever write one.

“Where’s Papa going with that ax?” –E. B. White, Charlotte’s Web This quote sounds sort of familiar, if you cut out the ax part. I’m pretty sure this is said every time anyone goes out the door at my house.

“The screw through Cinder’s ankle had rusted, the engraved cross marks worn to a mangled circle.”-Marissa Meyer, Cinder That sounds awful. Poor girl, just like a little Cinderella.

“In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since. Whenever you feel like criticizing any one, he told me, just remember that all the people in the world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.”–F Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby This quote is unique in that it doesn’t grab your attention because it is funny, or strange, or curious. It grabs your attention because it is profound and thought-provoking, and also makes you wonder where exactly this story is going. It was in the fiction section, right?

“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.” –J. R. R. Tolkien, The Hobbit I’ve always wanted to know what it was like to live underground.

“The Austrian horses glinted in the moonlight, their riders standing tall in the saddle, swords raised.”-Scott Westerfield, Leviathan I’ve never had a horse, but I’ve also never heard anyone describe a horse as “glinting in the moonlight.” Also, did we just get plunged right into the middle of a battle?

“It was a dark and stormy night.” –Madeleine L’Engle, A Wrinkle in Time This is so awful it’s great. Sometimes, when I’m starting a new story, I’ll write this sentence just to get past the cursor blinking on the empty white page.

“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.” —Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice Ha ha, self-explanatory. Didn’t think you’d get through this post without seeing that, did you?