Emilie

“Living did not mean one joy piled upon another. It was merely the hope for less pain, hope played like a playing card upon another hope, a wish for kindnesses and mercies to emerge like kings and queens in an unexpected change of the game. One could hold the cards oneself or not: they would land the same regardless.”
― Lorrie Moore, Bark

“All the things you needed to know in life—you didn’t learn them until you’d already made your decisions.”
― Philipp Meyer, American Rust

“I felt like I could do this forever, because nothing mattered more than anything else.”
― Miranda July, No One Belongs Here More Than You

“How much do you work out?"
"I don't," he said. "It's genetic." Which it was. Puberty had brought him many things unbidden, including height and weight and an extreme mesomorph physique, with a six-pack like a cobbled city street, and a chest like a suit of NFL armor, and biceps like basketballs, and subcutaneous fat like a Kleenex tissue. He had never messed with any of it. No diets. No weights. No gym time. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, was his attitude.”
― Lee Child, Never Go Back