Our brains are good at remembering important stuff, like excellent phrases from books we've read. Even if we can't remember every word from every book, specific phrases stick with us. They're like little sparks that bring back memories of the stories and characters we loved.

Think of it like this: imagine reading a book and finding a line that speaks to you, like "Follow your dreams." Even if you forget the rest of the book, that line might stay with you for a long time. It's like a special connection you have with that book. So, while it might be hard to remember everything word for word, those memorable phrases are like little treasures that we carry, reminding us of the magic of storytelling.

The Great Gatsby

This book is a historical novel set in the Jazz Age. It is centered on man's struggle with wealth, love, and fate. Gatsby in the story is a mysterious millionaire who has achieved wealth and a socialite status but is still obsessed over reuniting with his youthful love. 

"So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." 

The infamous last line of The Great Gatsby is more relatable when you’ve had hope in certain things that didn’t pan out as you would have hoped it did. The quote passes the message that against the odds that come our way, we still have to forge ahead. This “current” could relate to our ego, pride, and society, but either way, we are the “boat” trying to ride against the current.

Things Fall Apart 

Things Fall Apart is based on the brutal reality of how the identity of the nation, particularly the Igbo tribe, fell due to the introduction of Western cultures. Okonkwo, the main character, is symbolic as one who stands against this traditional transformation by making it seem primitive and uncivilized.

“A man who calls his relatives to a feast does not do so to save them from starving. They all have food in their own homes. When we gather together in the moonlit village ground, it is not because of the moon. Every man can see it in his compound. We come together because it is good for relatives to do so.”

Amidst several other quotes in the novel, this quote speaks to the spirit of community that has gotten lost in our Western environment with everybody “minding their business.” The communal attitude is lost in our so-called civilized world, and people around us are lonely. The quote shows that the community spirit in the indigenous tradition wasn’t due to lack but because we all need each other.

Behind Her Eyes

It's a modern psychological thriller that has you on the edge till the very end. It is your go-to book if you're interested in manipulation, mind games, and suspense. Adele, Louise, and David all have something they're hiding.

The quote from the book says, "Everyone should be allowed their secrets. You can never know everything about a person. You’d go mad trying to."

This means it's okay for people to keep some things to themselves. No matter how much you try, you can't know everything about someone else. If you keep pushing to find out more than they're willing to share, it'll only drive you crazy, and you won't uncover all their secrets. The book is filled with twists and turns, just like real life. Sometimes, people have reasons for keeping things hidden, and respecting their privacy is essential. So, it's best to focus on what you do know and enjoy the mystery of not knowing everything about everyone. It's only fitting that we understand there is a limit to how much we know about a person. Trying to discover more than people are willing to share will leave you feeling crazy, and you still won't have found all their secrets.

50 Shades Of Grey

While this book gained popularity and had a comprehensive read, its execution was questionable, generating criticism concerning its inadequate representation of relationships and intimacy. Christian Grey, a twisted billionaire, and Anatasia, a simpleton, come together to explore intimacy beyond the typical social construct.

“There's an excellent line between pleasure and pain. They are two sides of the same coin, one not existing without the other.”

Knowing how the story went, you can easily detect the sexual undertone to the quote, but beyond that, it speaks to the famous saying, “No pain, no gain.” You won't understand that you're experiencing pleasure if you haven't been in a position of pain. You need to experience one to understand the other. In the story's context, it's easy to see the sexual meaning behind the quote. But beyond that, it's also about the idea that sometimes, the things that make us feel excellent can also come with discomfort. It's about understanding that life is full of contrasts and learning to appreciate the good and the not-so-good moments.

Half Of A Yellow Sun

In the book "Half of a Yellow Sun," there's a lot about war, which usually brings to mind terrible things like destruction and death. The story follows characters like Olanna and Ugwu, showing how war affects them and everyone else in the middle.

One quote from the book says, "Grief was the celebration of love; those who could feel real grief were lucky to have loved."

This means that even though grief is usually connected to sadness from losing someone or something, it can also be a way to honor the love we shared with them. It's like saying that if we can feel unfortunate when we lose someone, it means we were lucky to have loved them so much in the first place. So, instead of just feeling sad about what's gone, we can also choose to see grief as a way to remember and celebrate the love we had, and still have, in our lives. It's about focusing on the good things, even when times are tough, and holding onto the love that is still there.