“Keepers of private notebooks are a different breed altogether, lonely and resistant rearrangers of things, anxious malcontents, children afflicted apparently at birth with some presentiment of loss.”
―
―
“Here is a rule to remember in future, when anything tempts you to feel bitter: not "This is misfortune," but "To bear this worthily is good fortune.”
― Meditations
― Meditations
“Whatever happens to you belongs to you. Make it yours. Feed it to yourself even if it feels impossible to swallow. Let it nurture you, because it will.”
― Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar
― Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar
“...I think we are well-advised to keep on nodding terms with the people we used to be, whether we find them attractive company or not. Otherwise they turn up unannounced and surprise us, come hammering on the mind's door at 4 a.m. of a bad night and demand to know who deserted them, who betrayed them, who is going to make amends. We forget all too soon the things we thought we could never forget. We forget the loves and the betrayals alike, forget what we whispered and what we screamed, forget who we were.”
― Slouching Towards Bethlehem
― Slouching Towards Bethlehem
“It's impossible to say a thing exactly the way it was, because what you say can never be exact, you always have to leave something out, there are too many parts, sides, crosscurrents, nuances; too many gestures, which could mean this or that, too many shapes which can never be fully described, too many flavors, in the air or on the tongue, half-colors, too many. But if you happen to be a man, sometime in the future, and you've made it this far, please remember: you will never be subject to the temptation or feeling you must forgive, a man, as a women. It's difficult to resist, believe me. But remember that forgiveness too is a power. To beg for it is a power, and to withhold or bestow it is a power, perhaps the greatest.”
― The Handmaid’s Tale
― The Handmaid’s Tale
The Universal Book Haven
— 5953 members
— last activity May 29, 2026 07:41PM
Where every story finds a reader, and every reader finds a home. A welcoming community for readers who believe that every book, no matter the genre, ...more
Readers of Every Realm
— 4954 members
— last activity Jun 01, 2026 08:58AM
A vibrant gathering place for readers who wander through every corner of the literary universe. From sweeping romances to gripping thrillers, from epi ...more
Shelby’s 2025 Year in Books
Take a look at Shelby’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.
More friends…
Favorite Genres
Polls voted on by Shelby
Lists liked by Shelby

























