ajreadsfiction

“They cannot afford to be smart with money.”
― Marie-Helene Bertino, Beautyland

“She doesn't realize how anxiety influences her posture, voice, the heaviness of her footsteps, the length of time it takes her to leave the car in the driveway at the end of the workday, so that even before she enters the apartment Adina knows her mother's mood.”
― Marie-Helene Bertino, Beautyland

“I take it you don’t have children?” She samples a small spoonful of the filling. She considers the taste. “No. I’ve never had the desire. I suppose it’s made me a pariah, especially in my youth. It was expected, and I shunned the expectation. They say things are better now, that society is more accepting if you don’t want to become a mother. I’m not sure if I find that to be true. Either you want babies or, if you don’t, you must want to eat them.”
― Rachel Harrison, Cackle

“Being alive has been painful, exhausting, and disappointing.”
― Xiran Jay Zhao, Iron Widow