25 Beautiful Literary Tattoos To Celebrate World Book Day

Have you ever read a book that has completely changed the way you think or read one that completely blew your mind? It might have been a story from when you were younger, or it could be a novel you read recently. Books can really resonate with us long after we first read them, which is probably why literary tattoos are very popular. Whether it is a quote that perfectly describes how you feel or a symbolic reference to a certain passage in the book, literary tattoos celebrate the stories that have captivated us.

(Related: Bible Verse Tattoos and Ideas)

To celebrate World Book Day, here are 20 amazing literary tattoos:

1. The Notebook, Nicholas Sparks

It’s slightly cheesy, but what Nicholas Sparks book doesn’t have a bit of cheese? That is what the people want. That tattoo is very sweet with the cursive font and birds flying away.

2. The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Great Gatsby has so many brilliant lines that are worthy of a tattoo. However, I love that this person chose to get the all-seeing, all-knowing eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg.

3. A Midsummer Night’s Dream, William Shakespeare

Getting a quote from The Bard gets you serious literary cred. The placement on this one is great.

4. Pride And Prejudice, Jane Austen

I’m sure there would be a few people who wouldn’t mind getting a Mr. Darcy tattoo, but this quote about love is a more subtle choice.

5. Game Of Thrones, George R. R. Martin

Even if we don’t carry around swords like they do in the Seven Kingdoms, this Game Of Thrones tattoo still has such a valid message.

6. Dracula, Bram Stoker

This tattoo is based on Gary Oldman’s character in the movie version of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, but without the book, we wouldn’t have the movie, so I’m including it on this list. How could I not include it?!

7. The Lorax, Dr. Seuss

Who says that literary tattoos have to be from books off your college syllabus? Dr. Seuss has so many quotes, and the characters always make fun of tattoos.

8. Fifty Shades Of Grey, E.L. James

They have a Grow Your Own Christian Grey toy, so you really shouldn’t be surprised that there are Fifty Shades tats. This is a unique take on the usual gray tie, whips, and handcuffs.

9. Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling

No literary tattoo list would be complete with a Harry Potter tattoo or two. Instead of the usual glasses and wand, this one features Fawkes, the Deathly Hallows mark, and a brilliant Rowena Ravenclaw quote.

10. Lord Of The Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien

There is no shortage of symbols or characters for Lord Of The Rings tattoos. The shape on this one is interesting. The outline design makes a strong statement without fifty different colors.

11. Matilda, Roald Dahl

This is such a sweet tattoo. It is done in the same way Quentin Blake did the illustrations in the book.

12. Frankenstein, Mary Shelley

Tattoos of the monster aren’t uncommon among Halloween lovers, but it is too rare that we see a Mary Shelley quote as a tattoo.

13. Twilight, Stephenie Meyer

This is so cool the way they have taken the cover art from the Twilight books and created one design from them. There is no Bella or Edward, but we know what this tattoo is about.

14. Tulips, Sylvia Plath

This is such a beautiful, feminine tattoo. The way the quotes have been incorporated with the stems is so clever.

15. Romeo And Juliet, William Shakespeare

You can’t get away with only featuring one Shakespeare tattoo. This may not be the most positive quote, but it is a classic line, and the placement on it is fab.

16. The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini

The Kite Runner is one of those books that everyone talks about, so it isn’t surprising to see many tattoos based on it.

17. Game Of Thrones, George R. R. Martin

This is incredible. The detail on Ghost and the forest in the background is amazing. It almost makes you look forward to winter.

18. Winnie The Pooh, A. A. Milne

This is so cute. I would expect most people to choose multicolored Winnie The Pooh tattoos, but this black and white one has a retro feel. This scene is also great.

19. To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee

Atticus Finch was a man of many wise words. I love how this person placed it on their bicep. Of course, no To Kill A Mockingbird tat would be complete without a bird.

20. Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling

At first glance, you might not realize that this is a Harry Potter tattoo. Then when you read the quote, you realize it is. I like the way it has been set up like a scene, and the quote is written vertically.

21. Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronte

I’m the first to admit that I’m not the kind of girl that goes for these Victorian, “chick lit”-esque novels. I hated Jane Eyre when I read it in high school, and I won’t go near Pride and Prejudice or anything of the like. I just can’t get through them. There is, however, something to be said for the way they say things. People just don’t talk this way anymore, and I’ll admit that it’s a shame.

22. Wild, Cheryl Strayed

I certainly hope that you all know that the Reese Witherspoon movie was a book first. If not, then you and I need to have a conversation.

23. A Series of Unfortunate Events, Lemony Snicket

At first, glance, unless you have a photographic memory of your childhood, you probably didn’t realize that this is Count Olaf’s symbol from Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events. But now that I know, I love it, and it’s a great way to introduce subtlety into the otherwise usually obvious genre of literary tattoos.

24. Looking for Alaska, John Green

Say what you will about the seemingly over-dramatized lives of teenagers, but John Green is wonderful.

25. Fight Club, Chuck Palahniuk

Just a little parting wish for all of you.