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“The way to not sink into self-pity and despair – the way to not die – was to look forward to things. Anything; the tinier the better, because then you were more likely to get it. The patterns of ice on the water barrels, the feeling of holding a hot mug. Anything to stop the onset of the terrible docility that came before you gave up. Collect enough bright things, and it was possible to have a good day.”
― Natasha Pulley, The Half Life of Valery K

“somehow it went from too soon to too late, without the right moment in between.”
― Bridget Collins, The Binding

“Guilt like that, it's a sort of arrogance, you know? An assumption that everything is your own fault when that's clearly absurd.”
― Natasha Pulley, The Half Life of Valery K

“They talk to everyone. Even Kasha.” “About Ancient Chinese verbs, Max,” Aubrey said, exasperated. “That’s the opposite of social skills, that’s projectile autism.”
― Natasha Pulley, The Mars House