Imogen Brand

“I have every right to be here. As me. Exactly as I am. I might be different to you, I might be different to every person in this room, but you have no more of a right to exist than I do. You don't get to pick and choose which bits of me are fine. All of me is fine.”
― Elle McNicoll, Show Us Who You Are

“When I read a book it feels like real life and when I put the book down it's like I go back into the dream.”
― Lisa Jewell, Then She Was Gone

“Strange how close the darkness is, even when things seem brightest. Even in the glare of a summer noon, when the sidewalk bakes and iron fences are hot to the touch, the shadows are still with us. They congregate in doorways and porches, and under bridges, and beneath the brims of gentlemen’s hats so you cannot see their eyes. There is darkness in our mouths and ears; in our bags and wallets; within the swing of men’s jackets and beneath the flare of women’s skirts. We carry it around with us, the dark, and its influence stains us deep.”
― Jonathan Stroud, The Creeping Shadow

“Being human means being flawed, imperfect, messy. But you can't beat yourself up for that. And I don't think you can beat other people up for it either.”
― Simon James Green, Alex in Wonderland