Favorite Book Quotes

Amira
Aug 15, 2016
4 min read

You know how you're reading something and then you come across that one phrase (or phrases) that kicks you in the gut or opens the door to a whole different universe?

I definitely have.

There are some that just imprint in my mind and stick with me for a long time (miraculous, considering my memory).

Let us proceed.

1) "When you have lived as long as I have, the div replied, you find that cruelty and benevolence are but shades of the same color." --AND THE MOUNTAINS ECHOED by Khaled Hosseini.

We all know Khaled Hosseini, right? (If you don't, that's fine too, you could start knowing now).

He's the guy who's every novel extracts every possible emotion that we can ever experience in just a couple of pages. He -no doubt- has a way with description and story telling.

He's a master, I tell you. A master.

In this quote, I admire his use of color to demonstrate an idea. He was able to communicate a number of messages by just using a simple metaphor.

We separate cruelty and benevolence as oppositional concepts, when in actuality, they are not that different. Sometimes, we can't even differentiate the difference between them; we perceive the kind as cruel and the cruel as kind.

Those are the ways I interpreted it, more exist.

The possibilities are endless.

2) "Their Silver War is being paid for in Red blood." - Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard.

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard is a fantasy novel in which the society is divided by the color of blood: Silvers and Reds. The Silvers are on the top of the food chain, the cooooool ones with power, while the Reds are the plain 'ole common folk.

When I was reading this book, I was mesmerized by the hierarchy in that society and the heavily political undertone. (If you follow Victoria Aveyard on twitter, then you understand)

So, there were many moments when I was screaming "YES YES 100% YES."

One of my favorite things is when a fantasy book is relatable to the "real" world. This book satisfies this. So much.

Moving on to the quote: I loved this quote because it highlights the concept of collateral damage. How innocents get caught in the cross fire.

How some are just pawns in the game of power.

Sound familiar?

It prompts the reader to think and connect the dots between the reality of the fantasy world and the reality that we exist in. How does this make you feel? Is there a discrepancy between how you view this concept in the book versus in "real-life-Planet-Earth" situations?

Introspective reflection.

Bonus Red Queen fave: "Their blood is a threat, a warning, a promise... The is the true division between Silvers and Reds: the color of our blood. This simple difference somehow makes them stronger, smarter, better than us."

Sound familiar?

3) "There was dishonor, she decided, in accepting someone else's idea of honor without question." - THE WINNER'S CRIME by Marie Rutkoski.

Oh, it's so pretty..

This trilogy is beautiful. Enchanting. Exquisite.

The writing is elegant and graceful, as if the words are light footsteps that delicately settle on the soft pages.

The characters. The world building. The political undertone. Perfection.

When I read this (and many other beautifully written, thought provoking quotes in the trilogy), I closed the book to breathe and sort through my raging thoughts.

It sums up to: SO TRUE. SAME. YES.

It highlights our complacency in our lack of understanding in things that we claim to "believe". Is your belief, or your idea, of something (like honor) defined by another? By society? Do you simply accept it without fully comprehending what it entails?

Have Questions.

Search for answers.

Create your own truth.

4) "If you see the lion bare his teeth,do not assume he is smiling."

"إذا رأيت نيوب الليث فلا تظنن أن الليث يبتسم"

- The Poems of Al- Mutanabbi.

Al-Mutanabbi is one of the greatest poets in the history of the Arabic language.

He knew it too.

*Note: Translations can differ*

This probably stuck to me because I do exactly that. I assume the best. I would assume that the lion would be smiling.

But then who would ever assume a lion is smiling? It's a flipping lion. I would be too busy running to assume anything.

In a sense, it's a lesson. Don't be naive. Be cautious.

Basically, don't be an idiot.

5) " ...a guy pantomiming his death to remind the world he was alive." - ALL AMERICAN BOYS by Jason Reynolds and Brandon Kiely.

This. Book.

It's such an important book. There are so many things to say.

I'll write a review for it soon. Because, feels.

This quote though: it stresses the fact that we are now a desensitized people. When death is the time that people realize that something is present, whether it is the value of a person's life, or a problem in society.

When people are so aware of the insignificance of their life in the eyes of others that they need to prove to the world that they are worthy.

-These are not the only favorites I have. I have a lot of love to give.

They are also not in any kind of order. I can't do rankings, they are incredibly difficult.

What are some of your favorite quotes?

Also, shoutout to Zee for suggesting this topic!