This week’s Top Ten Tuesday on The Broke and the Bookish is: Top Ten Inspiring Quotes from Books. Umm… this one’s tough. I don’t underline my books. I don’t read a ton of uplifting books even if I did. And I usually write down quotes that are beautifully worded, interesting, or that I deeply connect to rather than ones that are necessarily motivational. But with a bit of journal reviewing and flipping through books, I’ve found some that I’ve found meaningful – whether motivational or just in the sense that they made me feel known – that I wasn’t alone at the moment I read them. Here are my favourites.
On the bad things:
“Life is not a PG feel-good movie. Real life often ends badly. Literature tries to document this reality, while showing us it is still possible for us to endure nobly.” – Matthew Quick, The Silver Linings Playbook
On growing up:
“Remember, Maya: the things we respond to at twenty are not necessarily the same things we will respond to at forty and vice versa. This is true in books and also in life.” – Gabrielle Zevin, The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry
On sadness:
“Grief does not change you, Hazel. It reveals you.” – John Green, The Fault in Our Stars
On courage:
“Being brave is never easy. That’s why it’s good for you.” – Michael Christie, If I Fall, If I Die
On pain:
“Maybe there’s something you’re afraid to say, or someone you’re afraid to love, or somewhere you’re afraid to go. It’s gonna hurt. It’s gonna hurt because it matters.” – John Green, Will Grayson, Will Grayson
On simple pleasures:
“I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those on which anything very splendid or wonderful or exciting happens but just those that bring simple little pleasures, following one another softly, like pearls slipping off a string.” – L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Avonlea
On speaking loud and proud:
“There is nothing gutsier to me than a person announcing that their story is one that deserves to be told, especially if that person is a woman.” – Lena Dunham, Not That Kind of Girl
On finding your way:
“If you care about something you have to protect it – If you’re lucky enough to find a way of life you love, you have to find the courage to live it.” – John Irving, A Prayer for Owen Meany
On why you can’t always get what you want:
“I don’t want whatever I want. Nobody does. Not really. What kind of fun would it be if I just got everything I ever wanted just like that, and it didn’t mean anything? What then?” – Neil Gaiman, Coraline
On failure:
“I guess you could call it a ‘failure,’ but I prefer the term ‘learning experience.'” – Andy Weir, The Martian
And on endings:
“Sure, everything is ending,” Jules said, “but not yet.” – Jennifer Egan, A Visit from the Goon Squad
I can’t wait to see which quotes you have each selected that mean something special to you – and to experience that thrill of recognition when they’re ones I’ve likewise read. Link up in the comments and I’ll pop over and check yours out!
I've been doing the same thing – my TBR has definitely expanded today! I love finding lines like these in books. Ones worth stopping to re-read or jot down!
I've been doing the same thing – my TBR has definitely expanded today! I love finding lines like these in books. Ones worth stopping to re-read or jot down!
I literally LOLed so many times during that book! I didn't expect it to be as hilarious or enjoyable as it was. I was also blown away by his resourcefulness. I don't think I would have lasted a day! Coraline is awesome. I want to go back to being a kid and be her best friend!
I guess what I find motivational is a line or section that makes me feel something, you know? One that makes me want to make more of an effort to see the good in the people and world around me, or one that helps me deal with one of life's less pleasant phases. I'm so glad you enjoyed it – I certainly have! 🙂
Me too! Yes, it was made into a movie with Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence. The movie is excellent – but I'd definitely recommend reading the book as well if you enjoy the story. It's beautiful and yet very real.
I'm re-reading all the Anne books for a readalong, so she's fresh on my mind! I gotta say, I knew I loved her, but I didn't realize re-reading her books as an adult would be so enjoyable!
I'm re-reading all the Anne books for a readalong, so she's fresh on my mind! I gotta say, I knew I loved her, but I didn't realize re-reading her books as an adult would be so enjoyable!
I found there were a lot of lines in that book that stood out for me – even separately from the overall plot. And a lot was very accurate to what it's like being sick as a kid (even if not actually as sick as Hazel).
Me too! I love the movie, too, but the book is a must-read.
So many wonderful quotes in one post. A few of these are new to me but I will definitely be making a note of them for future use. Thanks for sharing 🙂 Here's my TTT.
So many wonderful quotes in one post. A few of these are new to me but I will definitely be making a note of them for future use. Thanks for sharing 🙂 Here's my TTT.
Oh! I love the quote you've chosen! I especially love that quote from The Martian! I just love that book period. It is so quotable! And I adore that quote from Coraline which is another highly quotable book!
I'm not a fan of “inspiring” quotes in general either, but I think you and I both took that definition liberally — I love the ones you chose, particularly the ones from A.J. Fikry and Owen Meany — two of my very favorite books. Reading all these Top 10 Tuesday literary quotes has been a great way to start the day. Thank you!
I really like the quote onThe Silver Linings Playbook. That's the ne turned to a movie right?
Top Ten Tuesday
I really like the quote onThe Silver Linings Playbook. That's the ne turned to a movie right?
Top Ten Tuesday
Such a beautiful list, I adore Anne and it's so lovely to see quotes from her books cropping up on lists!
My TTT
Such a beautiful list, I adore Anne and it's so lovely to see quotes from her books cropping up on lists!
My TTT
These are very inspiring quotes 🙂 I especially like the one from The Fault in Our Stars. Even though I didn't really love that book, it taught me some valuable stuff about living with pain 🙂
Cucie @ Cucie reads
These are very inspiring quotes 🙂 I especially like the one from The Fault in Our Stars. Even though I didn't really love that book, it taught me some valuable stuff about living with pain 🙂
Cucie @ Cucie reads
I love that quote from Silver Linings Playbook. I adore that book! My TTT!
I love that quote from Silver Linings Playbook. I adore that book! My TTT!