10 Thought Provoking Quotes from My Favorite Authors

Reading has many different levels of importance for me. There are times that it serves as a sanctuary from the tiring day or a companion on sleepless nights. Even, at some point, a mentor on dealing with life.

No matter where it takes me, there are parts of each book or each story that leaves a greater impact. Here are 10 of the most unforgettable quotes I came upon from four of my favorite authors:

• Gabriel Garcia Marquez

One of my most favorite writers of all time. There are a lot of instances when I get confused as I try to reflect on his words. But, in time, as I get more involved in the whole story, I finally understand.

The problem with marriage is that it ends every night after making love, and it must be rebuilt every morning before breakfast. –Love in the Time of Cholera

Many of the quotes that struck me are related to love. Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s expression of various characters’ understanding of love is deep and at times contradicting to my own ideas. However, with all those multiple layers of personalities did I appreciate Marquez’s writing more.

He dug so deeply into her sentiments that in search of interest he found love, because by trying to make her love him, he ended up falling in love with her. –One Hundred Years of Solitude

One Hundred Years of Solitude was the first book I read from this writer. It took me by surprise, but it opened a great door for more wonderful writing.

• Edgar Allan Poe

This certain author had been my companion since I first read his short stories when I was only around 14 or 15 years old. It was an experience that had been imprinted on my memory ever since. His works, I think, were the first to affect my own style of writing.

There are chords in the hearts of the most reckless which cannot be touched without emotion. Even with the utterly lost, to whom life and death are equally jests, there are matters of which no jest can be made. –Masque of the Red Death

Edgar Allan Poe establishes a sense of curiosity in the midst of fear and dark stories. This is something that I wish to achieve with the way I write my poems and short. I want to express that sense of emotional upheaval that was uncontrollable yet satisfying.

I know not how it was — but, with the first glimpse of the building, a sense of insufferable gloom pervaded my spirit. –The Fall of the House of Usher

In his works, I find solace and disturbance. Thoughts come rushing out of my head. I get the goosebumps and yet I continue to read his works.

My heart grew sick; it was the dampness of the catacombs that made it so. I hastened to make an end of my labour. I forced the last stone into its position; I plastered it up. Against the new masonry I re-erected the old rampart of bones. For the half of a century no mortal has disturbed them. In pace requiescat! –The Cask of Amontillado

• Paulo Coelho

Paulo Coelho has a different style of writing compared to most of the writers that I enjoy reading. His words give life a deeper meaning and encourage greater understanding. These particular features are the ones that I truly enjoy whenever I pick up one of his books.

One is loved because one is loved. No reason is needed for loving. –The Alchemist

His published books bring light to my usual reading list. I appreciate the kind of perspective that he tries to express through his endearing words. Even though it can feel forced at some point (based on my personal impression), the overall appeal of the story can lift up the book to a certain level of beauty.

Don’t bother trying to explain your emotions. Live everything as intensely as you can and keep whatever you felt as a gift from God. The best way to destroy the bridge between the visible and invisible is by trying to explain your emotions. –Brida

• Ray Bradbury

With this author, I try my best to get copies of his books from secondhand stores. There is a great excitement whenever I see one of the titles of his works available online. I grew up way after his heydays, yet I feel attracted to his writing.

His ideas and style are refreshing. After all, I’m usually exposed to the more popular literature, so I needed a breather. However, somehow, reading his stories isn’t that easy.

Last night, I thought about all the kerosene I’ve used in the past ten years. And I thought about books. And for the first time I realized that a man was behind each one of the books. A man had to think them up. A man had to take a long time to put them down on paper. And I’d never even thought that thought before.  –Fahrenheit 451  

I learned a lot about appreciating books, the way of writing, and finding inspiration to write. How I wished to create great stories like his works. However, until now, I can’t seem to get started with sci-fi writing. I badly need to do some research.

We earth men have a talent for ruining big, beautiful things. –The Martian Chronicles

Reading Bradbury’s stories make me wonder how his thoughts were like at the first years of his career. His imagination was beyond the time. He was able to foresee a detailed look at how we live today. It’s fascinating. Sci-fi genre is surely an intriguing style to try.

Bees do have a smell, and if they don’t they should, for their feet are dusted with spices from a million flowers. –Dandelion Wine

With these four authors, I experience the wonders of reading and the beauty of their storytelling. Everyone has a different style and memory when it comes to reading. Do you have any memorable quotes from a particular author?