I am a collector of quotes. I store them online, in notebooks, on long forgotten scraps of paper wedged between books and furniture. I keep them everywhere and anywhere. I am constantly in awe of writers who can translate thoughts and feelings and everything that makes us human into words. SO today, I’m sharing some of my most treasured quotes I’ve come across in my reading journey. I hope they speak to your heart the way they speak to mine!
1)
'We are not quite novels.
We are not quite short stories.
In the end, we are collected works'
- The Storied Life of A.J Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
I adore this book because it’s literally a book about books, and more importantly about how books can bring people together. It’s heart-warming and definitely a great summer read! This quote, is a bookish metaphor for life and there’s nothing I love more. I think it speaks for itself really, about how each chapter of our life can be so different, but collectively they are the things that make us who we are.
2)
'In new situations, all the trickiest rules are the ones nobody bothers to explain to you. (And the ones you can't Google)'
- Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Cath, the protagonist in Fangirl, was the first character I truly felt I could relate to. And this quote solidified my love for Fangirl, and Rainbow Rowell. It’s one of those unspoken things that I think a lot of ‘quiet’ people, and over thinkers will understand.
3)
'Never forget what you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness. Armour yourself in it, and it will never be used to hurt you.'
- A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
4)
'All Animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others'
- Animal Farm by George Orwell
George Orwell does a good job of depicting manipulative and deceptive leaders in Animal Farm, and this quote feels pretty apt at the moment. From an intersectional feminist standpoint, this seems to be an unspoken rule in politics and social issues. Whilst England has more equality than some other countries, it doesn’t mean everyone experiences that equality, especially when everyone is patting themselves on the back, under the delusion that systematic oppression and inequality don’t exist. Rant over, but seriously this quote makes me think about all the inequalities that are dusted under the carpet.
5)
'I'll never know, and neither will you, of the life you don't choose. We'll only know that whatever that sister life was, it was important and beautiful and not ours. It was the ghost ship that didn't carry us. There's nothing to do but salute it from the shore.'
- Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on love and Life from Dear Sugar by Cheryl Stayed
I have to admit, this is from a book I haven’t actually read. But I stumbled upon it on goodreads and it’s a quote I think about a lot. Like a lot. It’s such a beautiful quote about letting go of ‘what could have been. It keeps me from overthinking and getting sad about all the lives I didn’t, and will never lead. Instead of dwelling, we salute to the paths we didn’t choose, and move forward.
6)
“I took a deep breath and listened to the old brag of my heart. I am, I am, I am.'
- The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
I love Sylvia Plath and her only published novel The Bell Jar so much, I desperately need to give it a reread. This quote is so well known, and always reminds me to be grounded and present, that I exist in this present moment. It reminds me that I am alive right now and writing these words.
BONUS:
'You can never be overdressed or overeducated' - Oscar Wilde
I don’t know which work this is from, or it it’s even correctly attracted to him, but I live by this quote. READ BOOKS, LISTEN, LEARN, AND WEAR PRETTY CLOTHES ALL DAY, EVERY DAY.
That's all the quotes I'm sharing today! I have about ten million stashed away but I manged to whittle it down to these! I hope you enjoyed this post, I had so much fun picking out these quotes. Thanks for reading and have a great day!
What are some of your favourite quotes!? I'd love to hear them!
This is such a beautiful collection of quotes! :)
ReplyDeleteI particularly love the Fangirl one, as I really related to Cath in that book as a fellow quiet (and extremely shy) person. It's true that in new situations when you're most nervous, some of the obvious things you want to know are never answered for you.
Plus I have always really liked that Game of Thrones one, and I've tried to do that with what I've often perceived as my own weaknesses, eg. being a quiet person. People always see that as bad, or odd, but really I just like to think of it that I'm just a good listener! :)
Thank you, I'm glad you like them!! Ah I love that you see the positives to being quiet! I've found that people are always suggesting that it's a weakness too, I've always thought it just makes me a little bit more considerate about what I'm saying and as you said, being a good listener!
DeleteThese are so good! I found so many great quotes while reading Fangirl, which is probably my favorite boo ever. I also loved it when Cath said "I have the right to be upset about upsetting things." She's the best. The quote from Tiny Beautiful Things has struck a cord with me, it's a great way to think. Thanks for sharing these!
ReplyDeleteSteph x. Hello, Steph Blog
Ooh I love that fangirl quote as well! In a world where people are often made to feel ashamed for being upset about things, that quote is a great reminder! she really is such a great character! Yay, I'm so glad you enjoyed this post! <3
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