Today, John Irving is one of the world’s most popular and respected writers of fiction, known for his colorful and eccentric characters, humorous voice, and imaginative plots. But like many writers, he had his struggles. His first three novels attracted reasonably positive reviews but failed to gain large readerships, and he found himself unable to fulfill his dream of making a living purely from writing fiction. Nonetheless, Irving continued to pursue his passion. His fourth novel, “The World According to Garp,” was a massive hit, selling millions of copies and remaining on bestseller lists for years. “Garp” is one of several Irving novels that have been adapted for film, along with “The Hotel New Hampshire,” “The Cider House Rules,” “A Prayer for Owen Meany,” and “A Widow for One Year.” This quote from “A Prayer for Owen Meany” reminds us that while deciding how we want to live our lives is a great first step, we also have to find the strength within us to make that ideal life a reality.

Throughout her life as an author and social reformer, Helen Keller motivated people around the world to overcome obstacles, even in the most difficult circumstances. Despite losing both her sight and hearing when she was just 19 months old, she went on to become a prolific writer, lecturer, and disability rights advocate, helping found the American Civil Liberties Union and authoring hundreds of essays. Keller wrote these words of encouragement in her 1940 book “Let Us Have Faith,” calling upon us to take chances in life, and trust in the path of discovery.