Top 10 Tuesdays

Top 10 Quotes from Books I love!

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “That Stings!.”

Franz Kafka said, “We ought to read only books that bite and sting us.” Now, the problem with me is that every book I read bites and stings me in its own way! Which is why for my Top 10 Tuesday feature this week, I decided to compile the Top 10 Quotes from Books I love!self-improvement-books
Trust me, this was not an easy task for me because: a) I have too many ‘all-time’ favorite books and b) I have too many quotes from those books that I absolutely love! After editing this list for the hundredth time, I guess I am ready to share it now!
1. My list of books always begins with ‘Gone With the Wind’ – Margaret Mitchell

“Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn”

Oh this heartbreaking line which tells us that Rhett Butler is positively finished with his relationship with Scarlett.
2. Memoirs of a Geisha – Arthur Golden

“At the temple there is a poem called “Loss” carved into the stone. It has three words, but the poet has scratched them out. You cannot read loss, only feel it.”

That moment, when the elderly Sayuri narrates the story! You read this quote and it truly stings you!
3. A Thousand Splendid Suns – Khaled Hosseini

“One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roofs, or the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls.”

That moment when you read the quote and realize the deeper meaning, which the author has shown through symbolism and irony in the strength of both Mariam and Laila. Despite the hardships, Laila honors the memory of Mariam through the intensity of a thousand splendid suns!
4. Lolita – Vladimir Nobokov

“It was love at first sight, at last sight, at ever and ever sight.” 

The quote that became the motto for love; also leaves you with mixed emotions about the Humbert!
5. Eat, Pray, Love – Elizabeth Gilbert

“The Bhagavad Gita–that ancient Indian Yogic text–says that it is better to live your own destiny imperfectly than to live an imitation of somebody else’s life with perfection.”

The one quote that motivates you to live your own perfectly imperfect life! This one is special because this is one of the books that I read that gave me the inner strength I needed to break free!
6. Princess – Jean Sasson

“Poverty can turn a person into a flaming torch for change and revolution, without which mankind would come to a standstill.”

The true story of Princess Sultana of Saudi Arabia and her life behind the veil will captivate you!
7. Not Without My Daughter – Betty Mahmoody, William Hoffer

“You are here for the rest of your life. Do you understand? You are not leaving Iran. You are here until you die.”

This gripping and powerful tale of oppression narrates the adventurous escape of one woman along with her daughter from Iran.
8. Eleven Minutes – Paulo Coelho

“At every moment of our lives, we all have one foot in a fairy tale and the other in the abyss.”

Maria and her story stays with you long after you have finished reading it. And this quote, sticks with you for the rest of your life!
9. The Alchemist – Paulo Coehlo

“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

This quote from Paulo Coelho’s best book, emphasizes on the importance of having the courage to dream and follow your heart through that dream!
10. Midnight’s Children – Salman Rushdie

“I am the sum total of everything that went before me, of all I have been seen done, of everything done-to-me. I am everyone everything whose being-in-the-world affected was affected by mine. I am anything that happens after I’m gone which would not have happened if I had not come.”

This passage renders the perfect expression for the fundamental unfairness of life as realized by Saleem in his narrative!
Hope you like my compilation of quotes from my favorite books. I would love to know your favorites too – books or quotes from your favorite books!

A Single Mother with an unbreakable passion to Live the Life! I am a Writer/Author by passion and an IT Project Manager by profession. I am also the voice of Artemis at In The Pantheon - a multi-author collaborative writing project. When not hunting as Artemis, I am busy querying agents and working on my multiple writing projects. Women Empowerment and Child Rights Advocate.

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