Quotes, past and current.
From Laura McBride, We Are Called to Rise
“How can both worlds exist, the one where a life is meaningful and the one where it means nothing? Does not the presence of one negate the other? Emily is dead. Children are raped. Mothers have killed. Isn’t it obvious that what is happening to me does not matter?”
Fewer than 100 pages into reading this book, and already loving its tone and its characters. Avis is struggling with the breakup of her marriage after almost 30 years. While I don’t share her struggle, I get the agony of living among evil sometimes. McBride is doing a great job of dealing with pretty meaty issues, while the focus stays on great storytelling.
From Dan Chaon, Among the Missing
“As her husband held her close, she could feel the pulse of other choices, other lives, opening up beneath her. Her past crackled behind her like a terrible lightning, branches and branches, endless, and then nothing. ”
Who has not wondered about the path not taken? I can’t help but do it on occasion. But in Dan Chaon’s hands, that innocent wonder becomes something electrifying. The “what if” is really the concept that holds the entire collection together.
From Amy Bloom
“You are imperfect, permanently and inevitably flawed. And you are beautiful.”
My favorite Goodreads Quote of the Day this week. I have not yet gotten around to reading Bloom’s newest book, Lucky Us, but I hope to get to it this summer. In a culture that places so much importance on image, it’s always nice to be reminded that it is our imperfections that give us character and true beauty.
From R.J. Palacio, Wonder
“She said soft words that I knew were meant to help me, but words can’t change my face.”
Another old Goodreads review that popped up this week. Wonder was the first children’s (even younger than YA) fiction that I had read in some years, but I loved it despite the manipulation of my heart-strings. This quote always reminds me of the flip-side of “words can hurt.” Of course words, especially the taunts of peers, can hurt. The sad truth is that words cannot fix the perception (or reality) of deformity or illness or even perceived ugliness. Such a simple truth from Auggie, a truly remarkable narrator.
Looking for more great quotes?
Check out: Thursday Quotables at Bookshelf Fantasies or Every Day Has. You can also find bookish quotes on Book Quotes Hub.
I’d love to know what lines have caught your attention.
alenaslife 
Wow! 🙂 All of these quotes invoke introspection – a sometimes, uncomfortable ordeal – but nevertheless, important.
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I did like that all of the quotes this week hold together somewhat. They’re quite…self aware.
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Hi Alena,
I am currently reading a German book (“Gelassenheit”) by a German author – he cites Seneca saying “vivere tota vita discendum est” – meaning that we have to learn the whole life how to live.
Well, I think this is bautiful and true.
What do you think?
Cheers,
Leni
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I think that we continue to learn as we live, but we can’t wait to live until we think we’ve learned everything.
Does that make sense? Thanks so much for stopping by.
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Yes, I like that.
Thanks for stopping by, too!
Leni
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Very powerful passages! I’ve only read Amy Bloom’s book Away, but I remember how beautiful the writing was and would like to read more. I still need to read Wonder too… and your quote from We Are Called to Rise makes me really want to know more!
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Glad you found these whet your appetite. I’ve only read Away, but I’ve also been meaning to read more. I was impressed.
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