Culture
We are eternally grateful for everything Judy Blume has given us. Her books have been a guide to relationships, growing up, overcoming grief, and learning to stand on your own. Bookish has rounded up some favorite words of wisdom from Blume. Some are from books, some are from interviews, and all are sure to inspire you.
“Each of us must confront our own fears, must come face to face with them. How we handle our fears will determine where we go with the rest of our lives. To experience adventure or to be limited by the fear of it.” —Tiger Eyes
“I never planned to become an activist but things happen. You either take action or you don’t. Standing up and speaking out for what you believe in—well, it feels a lot better than doing nothing. And while you’re doing it, you find out you’re not as alone as you thought you were.” —National Book Awards speech
“Not everything has to have a point. Some things just are.” —Summer Sisters
“My only advice is to stay aware, listen carefully, and yell for help if you need it.” —"Tales of a Mother/Confessor"
“Anything could go wrong any day of the week. What’s the point of worrying in advance?” —In the Unlikely Event
“Let children read whatever they want and then talk about it with them. If parents and kids can talk together, we won’t have as much censorship because we won’t have as much fear.” —Blume, in Good Advice by William Safire
“[I] don’t believe in writer’s block. There are good days and not so good days. I get up and do something else knowing that tomorrow it will come. And if it doesn’t, then it’s wrong, and I have to move on.” —Reddit AMA
“Writing saved my life. It saved me, it gave me everything, it took away all my illnesses.” —The Guardian
“I’ve always believed that learning to think for yourself, learning to make intelligent, thoughtful decisions, is one of the most important parts of an education. ” —National Book Awards speech
“I used to think if you read enough books you’d automatically know how to do everything the right way. But reading and doing are not the same at all.” —Forever...
Do you have a favorite quote we didn’t list here? Share it in the comments!
This article originally appeared on BookTrib.
BookTrib.com, “Where Readers Meet Writers,” is a network for readers and writers to make a connection and keep books alive in a distracted world. Created by Meryl Moss Media, a literary PR firm with a successful 25-year track record.
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Featured Photo: Cover of "Forever..." by Judy Blume (Pan Horizons edition)
