“And of course, the deepest irony about the young being cynical is that they are the ones that need to move, and dance, and trust the most.”
― How to Build a Girl
― How to Build a Girl
“For when cynicism becomes the default language, playfulness and invention become impossible. Cynicism scours through a culture like bleach, wiping out millions of small, seedling ideas. Cynicism means your automatic answer becomes “No.” Cynicism means you presume everything will end in disappointment. And this is, ultimately, why anyone becomes cynical. Because they are scared of disappointment. Because they are scared someone will take advantage of them. Because they are fearful their innocence will be used against them—that when they run around gleefully trying to cram the whole world in their mouth, someone will try to poison them.”
― How to Build a Girl
― How to Build a Girl
“DUMBLEDORE: Harry, there is never a perfect answer in this messy, emotional world. Perfection is beyond the reach of humankind, beyond the reach of magic. In every shining moment of happiness is that drop of poison: the knowledge that pain will come again. Be honest to those you love, show your pain. To suffer is as human as to breathe.”
― Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Parts One and Two
― Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Parts One and Two
“Cynicism is, ultimately, fear. Cynicism makes contact with your skin, and a thick black carapace begins to grow—like insect armor. This armor will protect your heart, from disappointment—but it leaves you almost unable to walk. You cannot dance in this armor. Cynicism keeps you pinned to the spot, in the same posture, forever.”
― How to Build a Girl
― How to Build a Girl
“Explaining why you love something is one of the most important jobs on earth.”
― How to Build a Girl
― How to Build a Girl
Fiona’s 2025 Year in Books
Take a look at Fiona’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.
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