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The Best Aww-Inspiring Quotes About Books

Here are some of the best aww-inspiring, warm and cozy quotes about books and why we love them so much.

“I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.” – Jane Austen in Pride and Prejudice

“You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read. It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, who had ever been alive.” – James Baldwin

“The books that the world calls immoral are books that show the world its own shame.” – Oscar Wilde in The Picture of Dorian Gray

“Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.” – Neil Gaiman in Coraline

“When I have a little money, I buy books; and if I have any left, I buy food and clothes.” – Erasmus

“That’s the thing about books. They let you travel without moving your feet.” – Jhumpa Lahiri in The Namesake

“She is too fond of books, and it has turned her brain.” – Louisa May Alcott in Work: A Story of Experience

“If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking.” – Haruki Murakami in Norwegian Wood

“Where is human nature so weak as in the bookstore?” – Henry Ward Beecher

“Books are a uniquely portable magic.” – Stephen King in On Writing

“The library is inhabited by spirits that come out of the pages at night.” – Isabel Allende

“A book is a version of the world. If you do not like it, ignore it; or offer your own version in return.” – Salman Rushdie

“I do believe something very magical can happen when you read a book.” – J.K. Rowling

“Children know perfectly well that unicorns aren’t real, but they also know that books about unicorns, if they are good books, are true books.” – Ursula K. Le Guin

“I love books. I adore everything about them. I love the feel of the pages on my fingertips. They are light enough to carry, yet so heavy with worlds and ideas. I love the sound of the pages flicking against my fingers. Print against fingerprints. Books make people quiet, yet they are so loud.” – Nnedi Okorafor in The Book of Phoenix

“You don’t have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.” – Ray Bradbury in Fahrenheit 451

“I grabbed my book and opened it up. I wanted to smell it. Heck, I wanted to kiss it. Yes, kiss it. That’s right, I am a book kisser. Maybe that’s kind of perverted or maybe it’s just romantic and highly intelligent.” – Sherman Alexie in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

“Books are mirrors: you only see in them what you already have inside you.” – Carlos Ruiz Zafón in The Shadow of the Wind

“I have always imagined paradise will be a kind of library.” – Jorge Luis Borges

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George Orwell’s most insightful quotes from his well-known books

If you love world-class literature then chances are you have read a George Orwell book, or two. Here are some of the most insightful quotes from his well-known books.

1984 quotes

“It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.”

“What can you do, thought Winston, against the lunatic who is more intelligent than yourself; who gives your arguments a fair hearing and simply persists in his lunacy?”

“Perhaps one did not want to be loved so much as to be understood.”

“The best books . . . are those that tell you what you know already.”

“If you want to keep a secret, you must also hide it from yourself.”

“Doublethink means the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one's mind simultaneously, and accepting both of them.”

“Until they become conscious they will never rebel, and until after they have rebelled they cannot become conscious.”

“If you loved someone, you loved him, and when you had nothing else to give, you still gave him love.”

“Power is in tearing human minds to pieces and putting them together again in new shapes of your own choosing.”

“Big Brother is Watching You.”

“It's a beautiful thing, the destruction of words.”

“Of pain you could wish only one thing: that it should stop. Nothing in the world was so bad as physical pain. In the face of pain there are no heroes.”

“The object of terrorism is terrorism. The object of oppression is oppression. The object of torture is torture. The object of murder is murder. The object of power is power. Now do you begin to understand me?”

“One does not establish a dictatorship in order to safeguard a revolution; one makes the revolution in order to establish the dictatorship.”

“There was truth and there was untruth, and if you clung to the truth even against the whole world, you were not mad.”

“We know that no one ever seizes power with the intention of relinquishing it.”

“The masses never revolt of their own accord, and they never revolt merely because they are oppressed. Indeed, so long as they are not permitted to have standards of comparison, they never even become aware that they are oppressed.”

“Don’t you see that the whole aim of Newspeak is to narrow the range of thought? In the end we shall make thoughtcrime literally impossible, because there will be no words in which to express it.”

Animal Farm quotes

“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”

“Man is the only creature that consumes without producing. He does not give milk, he does not lay eggs, he is too weak to pull the plough, he cannot run fast enough to catch rabbits. Yet he is lord of all the animals. He sets them to work, he gives back to them the bare minimum that will prevent them from starving, and the rest he keeps for himself.”

“The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.”

“Weak or strong, clever or simple, we are all brothers.”

“And remember also that in fighting against man we must not come to resemble him. Even when you have conquered him, do not adopt his vices.”

“Let's face it: our lives are miserable, laborious, and short.”

“Man is the only real enemy we have. Remove Man from the scene, and the root cause of hunger and overwork is abolished forever.”

“If liberty means anything at all it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.”

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Things You Never Knew About the “Happy Birthday” Song

We all know the “Happy Birthday” song, but do you know when it was originally composed and where the lyrics originated from? Read on below to find out.

1. “Happy Birthday to You” was originally composed in 1893 and the lyrics went like this:

Good morning to you,

Good morning to you,

Good morning, dear children,

Good morning to all.

2. The Happy Birthday Song was used in the first-ever singing telegram. George P. Oslin, the Western Union executive who pioneered the festive greeting, sent one to entertainer Rudy Vallée on his birthday in July 1933.

3. According to a Harvard and University of Minnesota study, indulging in a ritual, such as singing the Happy Birthday song, before eating heightens our enjoyment of the food and helps us savor it.

4. The Happy Birthday Song is the most frequently-sung English song in the world, beating out“For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” and “Auld Lang Syne”.

5. Igor Stravinsky’s “Greeting Prelude,” which he composed for conductor Pierre Monteux’s 80th birthday in 1955, might sound a bit like the Happy Birthday song, even though it deconstructs the song’s notes and leapfrogs across octaves. Also, Aaron Copland’s “Happy Anniversary” is based on the Happy Birthday tune, and was played when President Nixon presented the Medal of Freedom to Philadelphia Orchestra conductor Eugene Ormandy.

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Cool quotes from cool Canadians

Here are some cool quotes from cool folks up in the Great White North.

“I want to get into people’s bedrooms. I want to get into their cars. I want to get into their homes. I want to seep into their lives. I want to be their friend. I try to tell people, you’re not alone when you have music.” – Kevin Drew, rock musician

“My motto? Time spent laughing at yourself is time well spent.” – Jim Carrey, actor

There’s nothing worse than things happening to you that you’ve planned. You want something that completely comes from the side to surprise you.” – Robert Lepage, playwright

“Does it pay to listen? Always.” – Arlene Dickinson, businesswoman and television personality

“Advertising may be described as the science of arresting the human intelligence long enough to get money from it.” – Stephen Leacock, late political scientist

“I know my tattoos are not for everybody. I don’t get them for everybody.” – Kaillie Humphries, bobsledder

“A lot of times, people associate power with tyrants and dictators, but I think power can be a very positive thing if you can influence a generation and make a difference.” – Kardinal Offishall, rapper

“Storytelling in general is a self-discovery masquerading as entertainment. The best stories address the things that confound us the most.” – Jason Reitman, director

“You know what they say: Dying is easy, comedy’s hard.” – Jason Priestley, actor (Psst—did you know Jason Priestley has a donut named after him?

“Every time I fall in love, I become absolutely, pathologically obsessed. The moment that you have what you want, and you’re not totally ready for it, you become obsessed with the idea that you don’t deserve it.” – Sara Quin, singer and multi-instrumentalist

“The leadership role is really to build the riverbanks and let the water flow freely.” – Bonnie Brooks, vice-chairman of Hudson’s Bay Company

“Sleep is like my cat. I can call him by his name, but he still won’t come to me.” – Shane Koyczan, spoken word poet

“Time moves in one direction, memory in another.” – William Gibson, writer

“A great song’s greatest attribute is how it hints at more.” – Gord Downie, rock musician

“Climate denial is not just about denying the science; it’s about denying the urgency of the science.” – Naomi Klein, author and activist

“When you behave well toward somebody regardless of what you’re receiving, you feel better about yourself. So be decent to people.” – Joshua Jackson, actor

“It’s ultimately about the tension between commitment and desire. That, I really think, is at the centre of the drama of all adult life.” – Shad, rapper

“We’re all privileged, but I think an awareness of that is important, and we don’t just start accepting the fact that that’s the norm.” – Daniel MacIvor, actor

“You do not need a therapist if you own a motorcycle, any kind of motorcycle!” – Dan Aykroyd, actor and comedian

“Just because you’re able to do something doesn’t mean it fulfills you.” – Evangeline Lilly, actress

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Tips for Packing Your Carry-on Luggage

Have trouble packing everything into your suitcase so it can fit in the overhead compartment? If this is you, read on for some tips so you can save yourself the hassle of checking in your bag on your next flight.

Choose Wisely

Always invest in a bag which you love, whether it be a duffel bag or a roller. Duffels have the advantage of being smaller and fitting a lot easier into the overhead bin, but they often come with shoulder stress. Rollers, on the other hand, make things much easier to get around but often get checked in at the gates, especially when flights are full.

Pack It Right

Packing makes all the difference. Choose clothes that won’t wrinkle easily, like cottons and jerseys. Also, packing a capsule wardrobe of versatile items that can be layered and worn in different ways will make mixing and matching much easier.

Use Bags

By packing a series of small, sealable plastic bags, you can really streamline your packing process. Bags can be used for all sorts of small items such as cords and chargers, jewellery and shoes. This makes finding these smaller items a whole lot easier.

Keep Liquids at Home

Try to pack liquid-free if possible. Then, when you have landed at your destination, pop into a convenience store and stock up on all your toiletries including shampoos, deodorants and anything else you might need.

If You Do Bring Toiletries…

Sometimes there are items which you just cannot live without. If this is the case, opt for a clear toiletry bag so you can see all of your items quickly and easily, as this will make clearing security a whole lot easier.

For a lot more books covering a wide range of trending topics, check out what’s available at www.selectvu.com.

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How to keep positive on a tough day

Life can get us all down from time to time, whether it’s been a hard day at work, money troubles or relationship issues, it can test us. If you’re having a tough day or a bad experience recently, here are some tips on how to keep positive.

Appreciate what you do have - At the hardest of times, we often forget about the good things in our lives and what we actually have. When you’re feeling low, try and make a list of everything positive in your life. It could literally be the smallest thing ever but soon the list will pile up and you’ll realize that everything is okay.

It’s okay not to be okay - Everyone has down days even the most positive person you know. It’s natural to have down moments and feeling as if everything sucks. But what’s more important is getting out of that mood and away from it.

Pursue your hobbies - To distract yourself on down days, pursue things you love to take your mind off things. This could be anything from shopping, reading a book to cooking. We all have different hobbies that can instantly cheer us up and feel happier again.

Think positively - It may sound silly, but if you start to think positively and know in your heart it’ll all be okay, things will be okay and settle. Put that positive energy out in the universe and it’ll come straight back at you.

Smile - Simple but effective. A smile can help you feel happier and those around you - and is an easy way to spread positivity.

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What are the biggest selling literary genres each year?

Every so often, there will be a breakout must-read book or an individual who enjoys a great run of success and these are usually reflected in the bestseller lists each year. However, as books come and go, and authors enjoy peaks and troughs, the genres they write in endure.

Some genres are more lucrative than others, although it’s probably best for any aspiring writer to simply concentrate on their craft rather than what kind of book is going to make them a lot of money.

Even if you do decide to dive into the genre which makes the most money, there’s no guarantee you’ll be coining it in.

In terms of book sales in the US each year, romance and erotica is the top selling genre, raking in around $1.5 billion every year. It’s perhaps not surprising when you consider that authors such as the late Barbara Cartland and Danielle Steele are among the most widely read in the history of literary.

Second on the last, although a good bit behind, is crime and mystery, a genre which clocks about $730 million each year, showing that we still love a good gripping whodunit or layered thriller to sink our teeth into.

The third biggest selling genre may surprise you, although in many ways it might not if you walk into any bookstore. Inspirational and spiritual books make around $720 million a year, meaning many of us still love a good self-help book or something to help us relax and destress.

Science fiction and fantasy is next, hitting just shy of $600 million a year while horror is a fair bit behind in fifth, generating about $80 million each year.

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Book trends for 2019

Trends in any market are continuously changing as news develops and more discoveries are being made. If you’re a mass book fan or someone who is planning to write your own book, these trends are something to keep in mind for 2019.

Diversity will continue to be a driving economic force in publishing - There’s no doubt that in 2019, diversity continues to be more widely accepted as it should be, and there are more multicultural influential voices in the news. Whether it means including it in your written work or sharing books that involve diversity, it’s something that undoubtedly does well on the publishing front in today’s open and accepting society.

Reading is being done on different mediums - Goodbye are the days where we head down to a bookshop and buy our latest read. Today, avid readers are reading novels in various different mediums and will continue to do so. It could be through online browsing, app reading subscriptions or on a kindle. Fewer people are seeing traditional reading as important and swaying towards the more convenient way - on their mobile device.

Look towards alternative media - As well as different ways to browse books, there are also different ways to write books and other content. Alternative writing platforms exist such as Wattpad, which began 12 years ago and has become one of the greatest fan-fiction websites, used by many. The site now hosts over 550 million stories by writers worldwide. It’s a prime place to have your writing seen and eventually get published.

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Publishers must keep pace with the trend towards diversity

While writing is an art, publishing is a business and businesses need to keep up with trends to survive.

An author will explore a genre or theme based on what they are interested in or what they have experience in, but whether that book will make it to print or be a success depends on how a publisher handles it and promotes.

Like any business, publisher first and foremost like security, so going with tried and trusted themes and characters is often the safest path to take to get the best returns.

However, they must also be wary of what way the wind is blowing at any given time and move with it.

Right now, when of the biggest trends in publishing is a demand for diversity, both in the identity of authors and contents of their books.

TV and film have had to deal with a lot of criticism that certain minorities were underrepresented on screen and behind the camera.

There has also been a similar clamor in the world of literary fiction and it is largely customer driven. For decades, the majority of books featured heroes who were white, straight and often male. Of course, there have been a wide range of different characters from different backgrounds in these books, but often the most prominent and sympathetic characters have followed the same blueprint. This has also been reflected in the profile of those working in the publishing industry.

But just as cinema and television have had to rise to the challenge of diversity, publishers are now realizing that they must do the same.

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Punching in the clock: What famous authors did before they hit the big time

Writing is a calling which many answer, however it can take others a bit longer to respond to the call, throw all their eggs in the writing basket and make it their main job. Some of the most well-known and most successful writers have worked in a range of jobs, some mundane, some fascinating before finally follow the path into becoming a published writer. Here are a few of the jobs done by famous writers before the struck it big in writing.

Douglas Adams – Bodyguard

The man behind the successful sci-fi comedy series The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy’, who also wrote for celebrated British comedy troupe Monty Python, previously worked as a bodyguard for the family of a Middle Eastern oil tycoon.

Nicholas Sparks – Dental supplies salesman

Now known as a doyen of modern romance writing, with many of his books already being adapted for the big screen, Sparks’ head wasn’t always in classic boy meets girl stories. In a previous life, he sold dental product by phone.

Agatha Christie – Apothecary assistant

Ever wondered why a large number of people die by poisoning in Agatha Christie novel? Well, the author herself spent a good deal of time working alongside an apothecary in a hospital.

Stephen King – Janitor and gas station attendant

King’s path to the top was a rocky one, but he never gave up on his dream. He first worked as a janitor in a high school and also worked at a gas station attendant before finally getting his big break with his novel Carrie.

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Books to look forward to in 2019

It’s never too early to look forward or to get a head start on figuring out what books you want to read next year. Make sure you do just that with our list of books to look forward to in 2019. Whilst 2018 was a great year, and we have no doubt you probably still have some must-read books you need to check out. If you want to stay ahead of the curve next year it would definitely help to make a note of these exciting upcoming releases.

The Dreamers by Karen Thompson Walker

From the New York Times, bestselling author of 2012’s The Age Of Miracles comes this strange and mysterious book. Set in a Southern California college town in which residents are plagued by being unexpectedly plunged into a state of coma-like deep sleep, this vividly surreal book is sure to be hit next year.

We Cast a Shadow by Maurice Carlos Ruffin

Endorsed by acclaimed writer and essayist Roaxanne Gay as “an incisive and necessary work of brilliant satire” this hard-hitting work examines racial identity and violence in America through a setting that is both futuristic and alarmingly present in its veracity.

The Last Romantics by Tara Conklin

If you enjoyed Celeste Ng’s Little Fires Everywhere then this book is definitely one for you. Or for anyone that is a fan of generation sweeping character pieces that explore the responsibilities and bonds of family, as well as love in all its myriad forms and difficulties.,

If you want to make sure you’re up to date on the latest books, then why not head over to www.selectvu.com and browse from their selection of all the latest and greatest audiobooks and eBooks.

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Can You Guess The Origins Of These Words?

Most people toss around words every day without ever stopping to wonder where they came from. While some words evolved into the language from the start, others were prompted by specific works of literature. Here’s a closer look at some commonly-used words which have their roots in classic books.

Pandemonium

The first word on our list refers to a type of chaotic confusion and anyone who heard it would understand the meaning. Therefore, it may be surprising to discover that it comes from the epic Paradise Lost by Milton. In this famous piece of writing, Pandemonium was the capital city of Satan and meant “all demons”.

Chortle

Usually written rather than spoken, this very evocative word conjures up a specific type of laugh. It appears Lewis Carroll thought the same as the author invented the word for his 19th book, Jabberwocky. The word is a combination of chuckle and snort and was first used in the phrase, “He chortled in his joy.”

Robot

This is such a commonly-used word it seems crazy to think that it appeared solely from a work of fiction, but this was indeed the case. Czech author Karel Čapek was the first person to use the word in his play titled RUR (Rossum's Universal Robots). It derives from the Czech word for forced labor - robota - and was intended to describe subservient androids.

Serendipity

A lilting word that rolls off the tongue, serendipity was derived from a Gothic novel written by Horace Walpole. In The Castle of Otranto, a trio of princes visit “Serendip” where they enjoy happy adventures and make unexpected and accidental discoveries which bestow good fortune. Serendip was set in a real place, the country known as Sri Lanka.

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Stuck for space and time?

Everybody needs their space, but it seems nowadays that there isn’t as much space to go around. Homes and apartments are getting smaller and although a certain Swedish furniture company has caught onto this new challenge by creating solutions to the problems of reduced space, life can still be a bit of a squeeze sometimes.

Some of us may have dreamed in our younger days about the big house with overflowing bookshelves, but the reality may have turned out to be much different from that. Now you are lucky if you can shove a book into your bag for the morning commute or have a stack of ‘must-reads’ by the bed at night.

And it isn’t just our space that’s shrinking, time seems to be getting gobbled up too. This has a serious impact on how we consume some of the best writing out there.

But never worry because the modern world has a solution. You can now have the complete works of Shakespeare on your mobile device. Cram every last word of Harry Potter onto your tablet or file a stack of self-help books onto your phone for listening to on the way to work.

Audiobooks and titles downloaded to your mobile device mean you can listen or read on the go and you don’t have to worry about where you store all those books or if you can manage to assemble a bookcase without reaching a breaking point with your significant other. Reclaim your space with an audiobook or latest title downloaded to your tablet.

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