Favorite Book Quotes

I have so many favorite book quotes – the kind that stay with me long after I’ve turned the last page. Below are some of my favorite quotes in a random list of importance:

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From The Help by Kathryn Stockett

“You is kind. You is smart. You is important.”
This simple but powerful mantra expresses the love and support women show one another, even when the world feels like it’s pushing them down. This line became a central piece of the novel’s themes of friendship, empowerment, and resilience, and it’s one I often tell my youngest daughter.

From When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

“The difficult thing is not to live with death, but to live with the fear of it.”
In this powerful memoir, When Breath Becomes Air, neurosurgeon Paul Kalanithi writes about his battle with terminal cancer. This is one of my favorite book quotes because it speaks to what I think is a universal fear of death, but it also reveals the wisdom he gained in accepting life’s fragility.

From Night by Elie Wiesel

“To forget the dead would be akin to killing them a second time.”
I’d heard about this book several years ago, but it wasn’t until 2024 that I read it. Elie Wiesel’s Night is a heartbreaking but powerful account of his experiences in Nazi concentration camps, and this quote underscores the importance of memory. It’s a powerful reminder of the atrocities of the Holocaust and the need to honor the lives lost by never forgetting their stories.

From Beyond December by Michael Ehret

“Sometimes, it’s only after the storm has passed that you can see how much you’ve changed.”
This reflective quote from Beyond December spoke to me so deeply. It’s a poignant reminder that challenges are sometimes the catalysts for our most profound transformations.

From The Filbert Ridge Miracle by Tamelia Aday

“Miracles don’t always happen in the way we expect, but when they do, they’re worth the wait.”
This quote from The Filbert Ridge Miracle captures the heart of the story – one of patience, hope, and finding unexpected beauty in the most unlikely of places. It resonates with the idea that the answers we seek often arrive at just the right moment in ways we might not have imagined.

From Woman of God by James Patterson

“The thing about faith is that it doesn’t require you to be perfect, just willing.”
This is one of my favorite book quotes it highlights the novel’s exploration of faith, resilience, and the imperfect journey of a woman who’s determined to do the right thing despite the odds. It’s a beautiful reminder that faith is about effort, not perfection.

From The Penn Cage Series by Greg Iles

“You don’t heal by hiding from the truth. You heal by facing it.”
This powerful line from the Penn Cage series speaks to the heart of the series’ central themes of justice, healing, and confronting the darkness of the past. It’s a reminder that facing our truths, no matter how painful, is often the key to moving forward.

From The First Ladies by Marie Benedict & Victoria Murray

“Behind every powerful man, there is a woman who is more than capable of standing on her own.”
In The First Ladies, Marie Benedict sheds light on the untold stories of powerful women in history, and this quote encapsulates the strength and determination of the women who have quietly shaped history alongside their famous husbands.

From Matthew Perry: Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing

“The best thing about being famous is the opportunity to help people who are in pain.”
Matthew Perry’s memoir reflects his lifelong struggle with addiction and his desire to use his platform for good. Through the memoir, you see Perry growing and maturing even in his struggle. The book underscores the redemptive power of sharing one’s struggles in hopes of helping others through their own, which is why it’s one of my favorite book quotes.

From Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb

“The good news is that you get to rewrite the story of your life, and it’s never too late.”
Lori Gottlieb’s memoir offers a candid, compassionate look at therapy, both as a therapist and a patient. She believes in personal growth and the ability to change, a theme that resonated with me and even spurred me to go back to therapy.

From All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby

“Sometimes, justice isn’t something you get. It’s something you take.”
This line from S.A. Cosby’s gritty, gripping thriller is a reminder of the complexity of justice and the moral dilemmas that often arise when it’s not easily served. It’s a testament to the book’s themes of crime, revenge, and personal redemption even in the face of severe racial injustice.

From The Tiffany Girl by Deeanne Gist

“Sometimes the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
The Tiffany Girl by Deeanne Gist is an amazing tale of women and their struggles in the early 1900s in the U.S. It weaves a historical tale of ambition, resilience, and love. This quote reflects the novel’s theme of self-discovery through sacrifice and service, particularly in a world where women were often limited in their opportunities.

From The Happy Hour Choir by Sally Kilpatrick

“Sometimes the hardest thing is letting go of the life you thought you wanted to make room for the life you never imagined.”
This quote from The Happy Hour Choir beautifully captures the novel’s theme of embracing unexpected change. It speaks to the idea that true happiness often comes from the willingness to release old dreams and open ourselves up to new possibilities, even if they don’t look like what we originally envisioned.

What are your favorite book quotes?

The quotes I love emphasize themes of personal growth and the unexpected paths life can take. They remind me that sometimes the most fulfilling chapters of my life come from surrendering to the unknown – or, in my case, to God – and trusting where He leads.

What are your favorite quotes?

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Hi, I’m Jen! I’ve been married for over 38 years, have 5 amazing kids, and have 3 adorable grandkids. I homeschooled our three youngest children and used to blog about homeschooling. I also taught Oral Communication as an adjunct instructor for over 5 years.

Jen Dodrill Writes is born of a passion of mine – to write a novel! My first cozy mystery – Birds Alive! – released Feb. 27, 2024!

When I’m not working, you’ll find me writing, spending time with my family, or curled up on the couch reading and drinking a mug of dark roast coffee. (Don’t forget to check out my mug shop – JDMugs!)

**Preorder book #2 in The Empty-nesters Cozy Mystery Series, Where’s the Quetzal, now!