Some books stay with people, even after the final page has been turned. Whether its a classic that has an angsty aristocrat like Mr. Darcy or a novel that delves into a spell-casting world like Harry Potter, the effect books have is exactly the same. If only it were possible to go back and experience those love-triangles and plot twists all over again. A creative way to keep these books forever is by getting tattoos based on these literary favorites. More specifically, you can pull from the first lines from books that make great tattoos.
Literary tattoos are making a huge comeback with book lovers everywhere. It's not uncommon to log into Instagram and see a friend freshly inked up with something inspired by a book. It may be art based on a literary classic, but more often than not these tattoo masterpieces involve literary quotes. Whether its insightful, inspiring, or just plain beautiful, there are no wrong ways to go when it comes to getting a literary tattoo. The only limit is an individual's imagination. Tattooing the first lines of a favorite book is the best way to relive that magic of reading a literary favorite for the very first time. Here are 13 first lines from books that could be great ideas for the newest ink.
1
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..."
Even if you don't know what a A Tale of Two Cities is about, you can probably quote this famous first line.
3
"Far out in the uncharted backwaters of the unfashionable end of the Western Spiral arm of the Galaxy lies a small unregarded yellow sun."
Any avid fan of sci-fi is familiar with The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and recognizes the importance of the number 42 as well as how useful a towel can be.
4
"I like hard work and I don’t like pretending things are perfect. "
Straightforward and honest, a tattoo of the first line from Amy Poehler's Yes Please shows that you don't take crap from anyone. All I have to say to a tattoo with this line on it is, yes please.
5
"Ships at a distance have every man’s wish on board."
Their Eyes Were Watching God is a novel about a black woman's struggle to find love. This quote foreshadows the difficulties she will face to attain those dreams.
6
"It was a pleasure to burn."
Simple, but powerful. Fahrenheit 451 explores a world where independent thinking is disregarded and books are burned.
7
"Once there was a tree...and she loved a little boy."
The Giving Tree is a classic tale about love and the importance of being there for people. It has taught plenty of lessons over the years and deserves to be honored with some ink.
8
"In a hole in the ground there lived a Hobbit."
A tale about a heroic hobbit's adventures through Middle-earth, The Hobbit has taken people on an amazing adventure for nearly 80 years.
9
"You better not never tell nobody but God."
Powerful, with bite; just like the strong characters in this novel. It's no wonder why The Color Purple was adapted into a film and musical.
10
"The way I figure it, everyone gets a miracle. "
Paper Towns is the story of Quentin and Margo, and the mission that he goes on to find her. Having a tattoo with this line would serve as a hopeful reminder that miracles can happen to anyone.
11
"Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether or that station will be held by anyone else, these pages must show."
One of Dickens' more under appreciated works, David Copperfield is the story of the title character's life, from adolescence to adulthood. This line encourages people to become the heroes of their own stories.
12
"I had just come to accept that my life would be ordinary when extraordinary things began to happen."
It is not uncommon to feel bored with the normalcy of day to day life. A tattoo with these whimsical words from Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children would serve as a reminder that not everything is what it seems.
13
"It's a funny thing about mothers and fathers. Even when their own child is the most disgusting little blister you could ever imagine, they still think that he or she is wonderful."
Matilda, the magical story of a little girl with special powers. Although this story featured awful parents, this quote sums up the unconditional love a parent has for their child.
