Silly game- anyone up for it?

What I mean is that it draws you into the book; like the start of a tv programme or a film.

Just goes to show how important the first line of a book is, doesn't it?

It's really down to who can Google the fastest.

I knew the Alice one. And a couple of others.

There are websites specially for this.

A History of Pi, by Petr Beckmann.

"If you write thrillers, people think that you must live a thrilling life and enjoy doing thrilling things."

I didn't have to google the "Alice" one! (Most of the others, though...

I don't believe you're not all googling.

"How to Win Friends and Influence People" Dale Carnegie (but had to goggle it!

This is for bags!

"A million years or so have passed since the tool wielding animal called man made its appearance on this planet."

(I am enjoying this thread very much. Thanks, gracesmum.)

Sylvia Plath The Bell Jar
but I have no idea of the other one! (Is that cheating?)

"Alice was beginning to get very tired...." - Alice in Wonderland

"On May 7, 1931, New York City witnessed the most sensational man-hunt the old town had ever known."

"It was a queer, sultry summer, the summer they electrocuted the Rosenbergs, and I didn't know what I was doing in New York."

"when doth Aprile in his soury sote" as Chaucer wrote

yes it was Northern Lights by Phillip Pullman The Y was her "daemon" - a manifestation of self, rather than guardian.

"X was getting very tired of sitting by her sister on the bank, ..."

The Canterbury Pilgrims.

I googled that.

Sorry, sorry, sorry - I have just realised tha I have copied this from an edition of this well-known book FOR CHILDREN!!! It may still be recognisable. (Ducks for cover)

Oliver Goldsmith's Vicar of Wakefield?

"When April comes, and with her gentle showers has banished the dreary month of March, when in every copse and valley the young trees bud and flowers show their heads, when birds make melody in the fresh morning time, then men's hearts long for the wide air and joys of the open roads."

It was 'and her' that gave it away! But I can't remember which of the trilogy it is. Or even the titles. Shame on me. But it's Lyra and her shape changing 'guardian angel'

"I was ever of the opinion that the honest man who married and brought up a large family, did more service than he who continued single and only talked of population."

OF THE SITUATION OF BRITAIN AND IRELAND, AND OF THEIR ANCIENT INHABITANTS by Bede
"X and her Y moved through the darkening Hall, taking care to keep to one side, out of sight of the kitchen."
(the punctuation contains a clue maybe)

Midnight's Children

"Britain, an island in the ocean, formerly called Albion, is situated between the north and west, facing, though at a considerable distance, the coasts of Germany, France, and Spain, which forms the greatest part of Europe"

Rebecca!!

"I was born in the city of Bombay....once upon a time."

Uncle Tom's Cabin, by Harriet Beecher Stowe.

Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again...

I was replying to Mice

Her quote is about the two gentleman sitting alone over their wine. And i think that is the current one we are looking for - by the way I agree about the inverted commas or something to distinguish the quote -

Would participantS kindly use inverted commas around the quotes so the ignoramuses like me can distinguish which is a quote and which isn't? Is That is a book I've read twice by Jude the obscure or Bez?

Oui - good old Graham Greene. That is a book I have read twice.

Don't worry! I'll grant you instantaneous absolution. It's a VERY minor mistake!

Good thing I'm not a Catholic - I'd have to go to confession!!