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3.25.2013

A Post: Literary Tattoos

There seems to be a lot of talk about literary tattoos as of late. I find that I see articles and posts on the subject on my twitter feed quite regularly now. I can't say I'm surprised by this development as tattoo culture seems to be less and less taboo. However, I have a feeling that most of the people posting images of their ink and their love for the art probably don't really care if society's accepting and were doing it long before it was cool. So. I'll admit that I have more than a few tattoos. Yes, I got them when I was younger. No, I don't necessarily regret the decision. Not all anyway. But when it's done, it's done and there's really no going back.

When I read over this awesome post by Book Riot over the weekend I was finally convinced that despite my no-more-tattoos rule, I had to get something from one of my favorite books. I sat there thinking... how could I not have a single literary tattoo? Well... I guess I have a pretty lame explanation. While I've always loved reading. Always. I was, like most young adults, really into my music. So into my favorite music, in fact, that virtually all of my tattoos are lyrics or interpretations of songs. For instance, take a peek at 23-year-old Beth. Yes, this photo is seeing the light of day despite that fact that this expression is a little too close to the dreaded duck face for comfort. But. It gives you a good glimpse of this Beatles-inspired piece I had drawn based on the song "Dear Prudence."


I wanted mother earth and sunshine and all things beautiful. I wanted a tattoo that would make me smile on the darkest days. My love for the Beatles actually precedes my love of reading because I totally jammed to "Twist and Shout" before I could even speak properly.

I have others... some in places that aren't visible when I'm walking down the street (I bet you would love to see those). And then some like this bit of a Bright Eyes song on the inside of my arm that people can't seem to refrain from asking me to read. BEWARE: 21-year-old Beth is even scarier and maybe COOLER than 23-year-old Beth. Don't even get me started on what this line actually means to me. No, people can't kill people and be in the right in my mind. Jeez. I'm looking at you, Mom and Dad.


Hopefully if you've been having a bad morning these photos are totally turning all that around.

The whole point of this post was to work through whether or not I should get a tattoo to reflect my love of reading. But is this even a question!? No, it's not, and yes, I should totally get another one. I knew the title I'd pick up immediately. Most of my regular readers probably know too. I thumbed through my battered, highlighted, dog-eared, and post-it-noted (totally made up) copy of The History of Love and located some of my favorite quotations. I think I've got it narrowed down to two quotations. Hell, I might even get both.

What's your opinion on the subject? Don't be afraid to speak up! What would you get if you could get any literary piece? Would you stick with a line, or go for a full out interpretation? Feel free to link up if you already have some so we can all see!

Note: 28-year-old Beth definitely frowns upon the provided photo decisions of younger Beth. Ugh. You live, you learn.

22 comments:

  1. LOVE your tats! And I have to say that the literary tattoo posts have been getting my tattoo fever up as well. I have two so far, neither book-inspired, but I feel like maybe that's a good next choice for me, given that I've been reading...forever. I have no idea where to start though. I guess I need to comb through that long list of favorite quotes...

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    1. Thanks, lady! Yes, I thought I was done with them but I just have to get some more now. For me, I knew it had to be something from The History of Love. Maybe Candide though too because it's so absurd. Let me know if you do!

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  2. Your Beatles piece is so pretty! Which quote(s) are you thinking of if you do decide to get some bookish ink?

    I have no tattoos and no real plans to get any (yet...) but I've always thought if I do get one I'd like to get the opening line from Shakespeare's sonnet 116, "Let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments". I would definitely do something Shakespeare but that line and the one right after has stuck with me.

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    1. Thank you! I picked two. 1) A bit about being made of glass. I really like it because it's Leo acknowledging his faults while professing his love to Alma. I have some health problems that make me feel like I'm made of glass at times so I thought it was appropriate. 2) It's a line in the fictional History of Love within the actual book where they talk about the angel that has fallen - the more sadness he sees the further he moves from God. I don't know. This isn't the exact quotation but it has something to do with that.

      I love the Shakespeare idea. I really loved reading through the comments on the bookriot post. I saw that a girl picked a shakespeare line and had the act and the line number done instead of the words.

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    2. *interjects* Ooooh, oooh, I LOVED the act and line number tattoo! SHAKESPEARE FOREVS!

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    3. Haha, Laura. You are so funny! I agree. It's pretty freaking awesome.

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  3. I think they're beautiful and think you should get a literary one if you really want it; it looks like you have picked good artists so I think they'll come up with something equally impressive!

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    1. Thanks, Natalie! I wanted to make sure they were really good since they'd be there forever. I'm going to start planning...

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  4. Wow, love your tattoos! I have a lighthouse on my back that is a bit of a nod to Virginia Woolf. It's not purely a literary tattoo because it means alot of other things but I did have To the Lighthouse in my mind when I decided to get it. I do have quite a collection of potentially tattoo-able quotes building though...

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    1. Ellie,
      Thank you!! That sounds like the perfect choice! I think it's great to have a list of quotes to look through when the time comes. I don't know why I've waited so long!

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  5. Awwww, 23 year old you is adorbs! And I loooooove your tattoos. LOVE. Because THE BEATLES OMG! I've been listening to them for as long as I can remember (my dad's kind of crazy about them. As am I) and hey, song lyrics can be just as meaningful, if not more so, than quotes from books.

    As for me... I'm kind of dying to get a tattoo, but I'm also kind of terrified, but I definitely need to do it or I'll be sad forever! I have SO many quotes that I could totally get tattooed, but I ALSO have a music tattoo idea that I REALLY want to do... So who knows, basically. (OH! Also I kiiiind of want to get 24601 tattooed on me because LES MIS! So many ideas. Seriously.)

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    1. Hahaha. Thank you! Love the enthusiasm! The Beatles are kind of my favorite favorite. My parents have a video of me throwing a fake guitar behind my head while listening to Twist and Shout at the ripe age of 3. So. That was just before I began learning words so I'm gonna say that getting a Beatles tattoo was quite fitting.
      GET ONE! You will love it. Then you'll find yourself needing them like crack - ok, I'm totally just kidding. But they are highly addictive and AWESOME. You should get both and then post about them!

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  6. Ohhh I love your tattoos! I don't have any, but there's a part of me that's always really wanted a sleeve. I just love them and find them so sexy. BUT, I'm almost 30 now and I feel too old to get a tattoo now :( I kind of wish I had gotten one when I was younger...then it would be easier to get another one, I think! Haha.

    Where are you thinking of tattooing your quote(s)??

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    1. Thank you! I'm almost 30 as well and will be working on finishing most of my arm up in the next year. I'm definitely getting one of the quotations from The History of Love (see the comment above to Alley), a tribute to my late Nana, and a little outline of the state I come from. I'm pretty excited but will definitely be calling it quits after these additions. I'm running out of desirable room!

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  7. You say we should speak up and while I seem to be a minority here, I will anyway: I absolutely hate tattoos. I think it's such a pity to do because it's there, forever. 23 year old you looks so nice, because of your young face. But a much older face and those tattoos on your arm wouldn't look quite as charming.

    I'm not your generation or even nationality, so that probably colors my vision, too. Don't do it, I say! :-)

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    1. So glad you offered another perspective! I've faced this argument from practically everyone in my family that didn't like the idea of these permanent pieces of art. I think it's definitely a generation thing! Like I said above, they're much more accepted today than before, and I don't feel that the tattoo will diminish my physical appearance any more than aging already will. It's my motivation to stay in shape as long as possible :) However, some people just don't like them, despite the generation they've been brought up in, so I totally understand. Thanks so much for speaking up!

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  8. Are we related? Twins separated at birth? (So what that I'm 39 years old!) I love the Beatles, I love tattoos..etc. I actually have my artist working on my very literary tattoo right this minute. We'll have to compare our art at some point! :D

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    1. Jen! Yes! It seems that most of my book blogger friends love the Beatles, which just makes all of you guys even more awesome than you already were! Oooo! I want to know more! You have to show everyone when it's complete!

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  9. Beth, I love your tattoos! And, I say go for the literary tattoo :) I have a tattoo, but its not literary - although I can see the allure of getting a bookish one. Not sure I would do it now, but you never know. As for The Beatles - OMG! I knew we had more in common than just our love of books! I am an absolute Beatles fanatic!! I've been listening to them forever it feels like(my dad is a huge fan) and have seen countless Beatles cover bands like Beatlemania and the Fab Four (they were my fave!). Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Nadia,
      Thanks!! I'm definitely going to do it. I've already gone this far so why not?!? Haha. & Yes I LOVE the Beatles. I actually traveled to Liverpool a couple of years ago with my brother and took the grand Beatles tour. It was awesome!

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  10. I've been wanting a pretty piece of script across my back for years now....but I can't narrow down what I would want it to say! I also saw someone with a small open book tattoo on her wrist that said "read" and also really dug that.

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  11. I've been planning a Bronte tattoo for some time, Jane's line about personal freedom. "I am no bird, and no net ensnares me." Can't decide whether to get it down my arm vertically, or add the next line "I am a free human being with independant will" and do it horizontally (and smaller). Argh! Suggestions??

    Also, I read a response some time ago of a woman to those who, in a bid to discourage her from more tattoos, ask "But how will they look when you're old?" She replied "About as good as my tatas." Well, I've made the language a little more friendly, but you get the point!!

    Love the lit passion!

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