StardustReader

“When babies babble, they are testing out their vocal apparatus to see what sounds they can make. They're also testing out their brains' language faculties—seeing whether people around them respond more to one sound or another. Imagine learning an instrument before you even have an idea what music is. You play a note or two, hear it, see if you like it, see if your audience likes it, and then you play more. Except that the instrument is located in your own chest, throat, and head. Meanwhile, your brain is rewiring itself with simple sorts of rules for communication by paying careful attention while your main caregiver talks to you.”
― Cat Bohannon, Eve: How the Female Body Drove 200 Million Years of Human Evolution

“Humans, rather than simply mate and be done with it like other animals, make a huge drama of so-called love. They suffer and sigh, they get all sentimental, become inebriated in a sea of noble aspirations, make crazy promises.”
― Giacomo Sartori, I Am God

“I’m here. I had the world in my palm, and I found it wanting. I’m a greedy creature, Priya. I came here for you. There is a flower in my heart, and it grew for you.”
― Tasha Suri, The Lotus Empire

“What does it matter,” Malini said, her voice splintering. “If I don’t
have you? If you are gone where I cannot see you or feel you or dream
you again, then what is any of it worth to me?”
― Tasha Suri, The Lotus Empire