Imagine living life so carefully that there are no signs you lived at all.

It’s safe to say that most people want to leave some kind of mark on the world, or the people in it. And while there may not be one clear-cut way to do that, according to author Raven Leilani, one way not to do it is by playing it safe. In her debut 2020 novel "Luster," Leilani explores the themes of burgeoning adulthood, making it on your own, and self-actualization through the lens of a young Black woman. There are parallels to the author’s life and the character she’s sketched in "Luster," primarily the theme of following your dreams and having the courage to take risks. The line above warns against living too cautiously, and is reminiscent of this well-known maxim: It’s better to regret the things you did than the things you didn’t do.