In a hole in a ground there lived a hobbit.

My favorite book’s first line has already been posted.  Just wanted to note with pleasure that it was, at least in this list, the very first one!  (And was seconded by the next person.)  The Golden Compass ftw!

If we’re on a Neil Gaiman binge, I’m going to post the opening line from my favorite short story collection:

Mrs. Whitaker found the Holy Grail; it was under a fur coat.

She could not remember a time when she had not known the story; she had grown up knowing it. 

Now, touching on this business of old Jeeves - my man, you know - how do we stand?

The unicorn lived in a lilac wood, and she lived all alone.