What are your favorite opening lines?

“The opening scene of a book can make or break it. The opening is a hook that keeps you reading; it’s your introduction to the world the author has created. We’ve compiled the 10 best opening scenes in some of our favorite books…” e.g.:

“To say that I met Nicholas Brisbane over my husband’s dead body is not entirely accurate. Edward, it should be noted, was still twitching upon the floor.” — Deana Raybourn, ‘Silent in the Grave’

—–

I’m partial to the opening line of ‘Gift of the Unmage’, the first book in my WORLDWEAVERS series which has just been reissued:
gift-of-the-unmage-jpg

“You smell angry,” Aunt Zoe said as she walked in through the door, sniffing in Thea’s direction like a hound dog scenting prey.”
The 10 absolute best openings to young adult books
—–
My husband in his role as my editor has definitely had an influence on me.
I just wrote the line: “something very much like sardonic amusement” – and I clearly heard his voice behind me saying “weasel word!”
He wasn’t behind me; he was in his own office on another floor.
Nevertheless, I said, “yes sir,” and erased “something very much like”. It was sardonic amusement, dammit. And I will state it categorically.
—–
Problems Only Introverts Will Understand
#19. This! Oh, yes. THIS.

Most of the rest of it, too. But #19 nails it.
The problems of introverts
—–
Highbrow Authors Who Gave Acting a Try
trumancapote-jpg
Truman Capote as Lionel Twain in Murder by Death (1976)…
Authors who tried acting
—–
Can you tell when authors are writing for kids?
As writers such as James Joyce, Jeanette Winterson and Salman Rushdie show, you’re never too big to write for children. But what happens to prose style when they get down with the kids?
Can you can tell whether these extracts are aimed at younger readers, or intended for grownups?