“Life was persistent. There it was, every day. Each morning it woke me up. It was loud and brash. A bully. A lounge singer in a garish sequin dress. A runaway truck. A jackhammer. A brush fire. A canker sore. Death was different. It was tender, a mystery.”
― Death in Her Hands
― Death in Her Hands
“She stands over me as I say I’m sad, I’m so sad, small, simple words, the only ones that make sense as I clutch my chest like a child and point to where it hurts.”
― My Dark Vanessa
― My Dark Vanessa
“How cautious he was, first angling his knee against my thigh, such a small thing that could have been an accident, then his hand on my knee, a little pat, a friendly thing people do to each other. Pat-pat-pat. I'd seen teachers give students hug before, no big deal. It only accelerated after that, once he knew I was okay with it—and isn't that what consent is, always being asked what you want? Did I want him to kiss me? Did I want him to touch me? Did I want him to fuck me? Slowly guided into the fire—why is everyone so scared to admit how good that can feel? To be groomed is to be loved and handled like a precious, delicate thing.”
― My Dark Vanessa
― My Dark Vanessa
“He'll never meet you," I say. It's a hard truth, carrying within it grief and joy. Jo opens her eyes, doesn't lift her head as she watches me. She's constantly taking in my face and tone, noticing everything about me. When I start to drift away, her tail thumps against the couch cushion, like a drumbeat, a heartbeat, a rhythm of grounding. You're here, she says. You're here. You're here.”
― My Dark Vanessa
― My Dark Vanessa
“My parents stare straight ahead, their anger and grief palpable enough to taste. I open my mouth to let it all in and swallow it whole, where deep in my belly it turns into blame.”
― My Dark Vanessa
― My Dark Vanessa
Anna’s 2025 Year in Books
Take a look at Anna’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.
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Favorite Genres
Classics, Contemporary, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Music, Mystery, Paranormal, Philosophy, Romance, Science, Science fiction, Suspense, Thriller, and Young-adult
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