Quotes from Symptoms of Being Human

Jeff Garvin ·  335 pages

Rating: (7.4K votes)


“We’re all taught from a young age that there are only two choices: pink or blue, Bratz or Power Rangers, cheerleading or football. We see gender in two dimensions because that’s what society has taught us from birth. But, are you ready for a shocking revelation?
SOCIETY NEEDS TO CHANGE.”
― Jeff Garvin, quote from Symptoms of Being Human


“The world isn't binary. Everything isn't black or white, yes or no. Sometimes it's not a switch, it's a dial. And it's not even a dial you can get your hands on; it turns without your permission or approval" -Riley”
― Jeff Garvin, quote from Symptoms of Being Human


“I can't blame you for trying to categorize me. It's a human instinct. It's why scientists are, to this day, completely flabbergasted by the duck-billed platypus: it's furry like a mammal, but lays eggs like a bird. It defies conventional classification.
I AM THE PLATYPUS (Coo coo ka-choo)”
― Jeff Garvin, quote from Symptoms of Being Human


“My mom says crying is just your body expelling all the bad stuff. Like a sneeze. Like your soul sneezing.”
― Jeff Garvin, quote from Symptoms of Being Human


“As for wondering if it's okay to be who you are--that's not a symptom of mental illness. That's a symptom of being a person.”
― Jeff Garvin, quote from Symptoms of Being Human



“People do judge books by their covers; it’s human nature. They react to the way you look before they hear a single word that comes out of your mouth.”
― Jeff Garvin, quote from Symptoms of Being Human


“But the truth is, feelings don't change anything. To change something, you have to say things out loud. Do things. Take chances. Take a stand" -Riley”
― Jeff Garvin, quote from Symptoms of Being Human


“That's my problem, actually. I don't talk to anybody about what's going on in my head, because I'm afraid they might not be able to take it.”
― Jeff Garvin, quote from Symptoms of Being Human


“At some point during my research, I came across the term "gender fluid." Reading those words was a revelation. It was like someone tore a layer of gauze off the mirror, and I could see myself clearly for the first time. There was a name for what I was. It was a thing. Gender fluid.

Sitting there in front of my computer--like I am right now--I knew I would never be the same. I could never go back to seeing it the old way; I could never go back to not knowing what I was.

But did that glorious moment of revelation really change anything? I don't know. Sometimes, I don't think so. I may have a name for what I am now--but I'm just as confused and out of place as I was before. And if today is any indication, I'm still playing out that scene in the toy store--trying to pick the thing that will cause the least amount of drama. And not having much success.”
― Jeff Garvin, quote from Symptoms of Being Human


“So, first, I want you to know that everybody experiences some level of anxiety. It's a normal human response to stress. It's like your body's smoke alarm. If there's a fire, you want to know so you can put it out or call 9-1-1, right?”

I shrug. “I guess. But it feels like my alarm is going off all the time.”

Doctor Ann nods. “Some people's systems are more sensitive than others'. For you, maybe all it takes is burning a piece of toast, and your alarm thinks the house is on fire.”
― Jeff Garvin, quote from Symptoms of Being Human



“I think you assume everyone is going to be your enemy. And by doing that, you sort of make it come true.”
― Jeff Garvin, quote from Symptoms of Being Human


“What, no Star Wars?"
Solo sighs. "I wanted to bring the original, unaltered Episode IV, in which my namesake shoots first, as our Lord and savior intended."
"Why didn't you?"
"I only have it on VHS, and my dad's old VHS player broke halfway through the summer.”
― Jeff Garvin, quote from Symptoms of Being Human


“You always say the best leaders figure out how to turn a bad situation to their advantage. When life gives you gators, make Gatorade”
― Jeff Garvin, quote from Symptoms of Being Human


“Remembering that moment stirs something inside -- anger, at first, and then a deep, hollow sadness that ripples through me in its own spiderweb pattern.”
― Jeff Garvin, quote from Symptoms of Being Human


“You think I didn't choose these clothes and this haircut specifically to avoid being stuffed into one pigeonhole or another? I'm gender fluid. Not stupid”
― Jeff Garvin, quote from Symptoms of Being Human



“That’s none of your business,” I say. “And, while I’m flattered by your interest, you’re really not my type.” The”
― Jeff Garvin, quote from Symptoms of Being Human


“I may not be "blending in"- but if I'm standing out, at least I feel like I've found a place to stand.”
― Jeff Garvin, quote from Symptoms of Being Human


“The first thing you're going to want to know about me is: Am I a boy, or am I a girl?”
― Jeff Garvin, quote from Symptoms of Being Human


“Things making you cry for no reason. There's nothing wrong with it. My mom says crying is just your body expelling all the bad stuff. Like a sneeze. Like your soul sneezing.”
― Jeff Garvin, quote from Symptoms of Being Human


“Look. I don't expect you to spill your guts to me. Your business is your business. Dress how you want to dress. Let people wonder. Fuck 'em."
I smile.
Solo raised a finger. "But you've got to stop looking for a fight every time someone makes a comment. High school sucks for everyone."
I feel my smile fade, and I sit back in the chair. "It kind of feels like you're defending those guys."
Solo shrugs. "There will always be guys like Jim Vickers. But I'm not going to let them stop me from doing what I want. And neither should you.”
― Jeff Garvin, quote from Symptoms of Being Human



About the author

Jeff Garvin
See more on GoodReads

Popular quotes

“When one looks back across a chasm of seventy years, through a prism of pulp fiction and bad gangster movies, there is a tendency to view the events of 1933-34 as mythic, as folkloric. To the generations of Americans raised since World War II, the identities of criminals such as Charles “Pretty Boy” Floyd, Baby Face Nelson, “Ma” Barker, John Dillinger, and Clyde Barrow are no more real than are Luke Skywalker or Indiana Jones. After decades spent in the washing machine of popular culture, their stories have been bled of all reality, to an extent that few Americans today know who these people actually were, much less that they all rose to national prominence at the same time.”
― Bryan Burrough, quote from Public Enemies: America's Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI, 1933-34


“You live in fear that no one will hear your cries…I hear them. I’ll catch you when you fall, always. All of your broken dreams, I will make them fade away. When you’re lost, I will find you and bring you home. I will pick you up when your world shatters.”
― Randi Cooley Wilson, quote from Restoration


“I think only one thing.

Where 's Octavia?

As I get closer to the bottom, I notice that it's water that I'm falling into. It's salty-green and smooth, until...

I'm driven through the surface and go deeper. I'm surrounded.

I'm drowning. I think. I'm drowning.

But I'm smiling too.”
― Markus Zusak, quote from Getting the Girl


“Wouldn’t it be easier just to treat the information space as a public resource and tax or charge companies somehow for the benefit of using it?”
― Jaron Lanier, quote from Who Owns the Future?


“Their faces are black and white, men, women and children, young and old. Death doesn’t discriminate.”
― Michele G. Miller, quote from From the Wreckage


Interesting books

Black Iris
(3.1K)
Black Iris
by Elliot Wake
The Attributes of God
(2.8K)
The Attributes of Go...
by Arthur W. Pink
Coming Through Slaughter
(4.8K)
Coming Through Slaug...
by Michael Ondaatje
The Towers of Trebizond
(1.2K)
The Towers of Trebiz...
by Rose Macaulay
Odd Hours
(37.9K)
Odd Hours
by Dean Koontz
Naamah's Blessing
(8.3K)
Naamah's Blessing
by Jacqueline Carey

About BookQuoters

BookQuoters is a community of passionate readers who enjoy sharing the most meaningful, memorable and interesting quotes from great books. As the world communicates more and more via texts, memes and sound bytes, short but profound quotes from books have become more relevant and important. For some of us a quote becomes a mantra, a goal or a philosophy by which we live. For all of us, quotes are a great way to remember a book and to carry with us the author’s best ideas.

We thoughtfully gather quotes from our favorite books, both classic and current, and choose the ones that are most thought-provoking. Each quote represents a book that is interesting, well written and has potential to enhance the reader’s life. We also accept submissions from our visitors and will select the quotes we feel are most appealing to the BookQuoters community.

Founded in 2023, BookQuoters has quickly become a large and vibrant community of people who share an affinity for books. Books are seen by some as a throwback to a previous world; conversely, gleaning the main ideas of a book via a quote or a quick summary is typical of the Information Age but is a habit disdained by some diehard readers. We feel that we have the best of both worlds at BookQuoters; we read books cover-to-cover but offer you some of the highlights. We hope you’ll join us.