Quotes have the power to put things into perspective. For me, this is especially true with book quotes.
2020 will always be a year where you can say it and someone will groan. Like when I was a child, books gave me perspective this year, and I do not know why I ever doubted their power.
Books have been a big part of my life–and to be honest, my personality–for over 10 years. For anyone who knows me, they know that I live and breathe books, which is why hearing that I used to hate reading shocks people. I sometimes think about all the amazing books I would have missed and all the things I would not have learned if my sister never made me read the Harry Potter series. A series that set into motion the 10+ years of being a dedicated reader.
And I for sure have been rewarded for that dedication.
A lot has changed for me this year, and with the discovery of what I was truly passionate about came people asking me what I want to do after college. If you had asked me 6+ months ago, I would have told you I wanted to be an FBI Agent. Only a few months ago, I would have said I had no idea. But after further thought, I have decided that I want to work in the book community, to show the world that books have the power to heal and teach.
With 2020 being a year no one will forget, I have compiled a few of my favorite book quotes that I think will help bring into perspective the rollercoaster that was last year and serve as inspiration for this year. These are some of the few that made a difference for me.
“I feel our connection even as the world falls to pieces around us.” – “The Similars” by Rebecca Hanover
Even though we have been either inside or have had limited interactions with people for most of the year, people have still managed to meet new people and forge and strengthen connections with existing relationships. The world is falling to pieces around us, and while we are scrambling to fix things and make things better, we are connecting on a different level than before. We are not only learning about ourselves but realizing who belongs on our journey through 2021.
“Without pain, how could we know joy?” – “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green
I understand that 2020 will go down in history as one of the worst years in the 21st century. I also understand that many lives, jobs, and happiness were lost. I am not arguing that that did not happen, and I will not say that I did not hate 2020, but like John Green says, you cannot know joy if you do not know pain. Pain shows us not to take things for granted, something I believe we did a lot before last year.
“What’s done is done. Say good-bye to the past, and hello to the future and we’re wasting time, when already we’ve wasted enough. We’ve got everything ahead, waiting for us.” – “Flowers in the Attic” by V.C. Andrews
It is over. 2020 is now in the past. Will we ever forget what happened? No, but we need to start moving forward. 2021 is a new year, and we should be treating it as such. I took a vow to make this year about bettering myself, my life, and the world around me.
This year, find what makes you happy. I know I am.
