Have you ever read a quote that you couldn’t get out of your head? That seems to explain your life to you in ways you couldn’t understand until you read it?
If you’re into making that kind of discovery, check out the quotes we’re currently digging from these unforgettable YA novels.
Maybe our favorite quotations say more about us than about the stories and people we’re quoting.
An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
It may not be his most popular novel to date, but this quote from John Green is pretty spot on. If you read An Abundance of Katherines, you may remember that the story centers around Colin and his epic road trip after getting dumped by his girlfriend, Katherine. Not only is it super accurate, this line is great because it really makes you question why certain quotes stand out more than others and how your favorites can be an extension of your personality.
Books are my friends, my companions. They make me laugh and cry and find meaning in life.
Eragon by Christopher Paolini
Was Christopher Paolini reading our minds when he wrote this in Eragon? The first novel from the Inheritance Cycle follows a young farm boy named Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, as they evade the evil King Galbatorix. Book lovers know the power a story can have over you and how comforting they can be during tough moments in life, and this quote perfectly sums up that idea.
I’m done with those; regrets are an excuse for people who have failed.”
It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini
It’s refreshing to read a character as honest as Craig Gilnor is in Ned Vizzini’s It’s Kind of a Funny Story. This quote is a great example of his trademark candor as he fights depression in a psychiatric hospital. Even if your situation isn’t that dire, we should all remember to live our lives without holding back, even if there’s a risk of failing.
We accept the love we think we deserve.”
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Straight to the point, this quote from Stephen Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower has a way of becoming ingrained in your head. It was spoken by fifteen-year-old Charlie, the book’s protagonist, as he experiences high school in this coming-of-age story. When it comes to navigating relationships both romantic and unromantic, this quote makes you think about what kind of people you want to surround yourself with and what the love you accept says about you. Talk about deep!
I have a theory that selflessness and bravery aren’t all that different.
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Sometimes in life, there are moments that call for a person to put everything aside for the sake of someone else, even if it’s scary. This quote from Veronica Roth’s Divergent encourages us to find the courage to aid ourselves and others.
Friendships take minutes to make, moments to break, years to repair.
Golden Son by Pierce Brown
Whether it makes you think about your bestie or someone else you hold close to your heart, this quote from Golden Son by Pierce Brown really hits home. It makes you think about the people closest to you and how important it is to care for those relationships. The book’s protagonist, Darrow, could not have said it better, as he continues his quest to take down the Society in this sequel to Red Rising.
Why is straight the default? Everyone should have to declare one way or another, and it shouldn’t be this big awkward thing whether you’re straight, gay, bi, or whatever. I’m just saying.
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
In this amazing coming-out story, author Becky Albertalli brings the life of Simon Spier to light. No matter your sexual orientation, this quote is applicable. Simon questions social norms and encourages self-acceptance, no matter what gender you’re attracted to. It forces you think twice about conventional ideas of what is “normal” when it comes to sexuality, making it a perfect thought-provoking quote.
And I never expected that you could have a broken heart and love with it too, so much that it doesn’t seem broken at all.
Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson
For anyone who has ever felt heartbreak, this quote hits close to home. After falling for Peter Pan, Tiger Lily is all of us struggling to mend a broken heart while still having major feelings. It seems impossible to do, but Tiger Lily shows us that this situation is completely real and can be impossible to ignore.
Maybe there’s something you’re afraid to say, or someone you’re afraid to love, or somewhere you’re afraid to go. It’s gonna hurt. It’s gonna hurt because it matters.
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan
This stunning quote could only come from literary magicians like John Green and David Levithan. When it comes down to it, this quote is all about being fearless in search of what really matters, whether it’s confessing your feelings or falling in love. It may be scary, but as the Will Graysons show us, it’s always important.
But when someone is grieving, a genuine smile is a small victory in the big battle.
History Is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera
Griffin is in the midst of dealing with loss and heartbreak after his first love, Theo, tragically drowns. While battling his grief and trying to deal with his feelings in the wake of the accident, he turns to Jackson for comfort. Griffin shows us that at the end of the day, sometimes the best remedy for pain can be as simple as a smile.
But you cannot change what you are, only what you do.
The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
This quote from The Golden Compass is all about staying true to yourself, and we’re totally digging it. As Lyra makes her epic trip to the far North to help her friend Roger and Uncle Asriel, it’s clear she embraces who she is. Despite her imperfections and carefree attitude, Lyra does not have to change who she is to be a hero.
