Tayler Park

“Alex Trebek’s voice fills the room, and if I wasn’t looking at his cobwebby hair on the screen, I would swear I was in a time warp. I watched Jeopardy religiously in middle school while waiting for Mom to get home from work.”
― Colleen Oakley, Before I Go

“The fantasy bookshelf, complete with beautifully covered books about dragons and witches, is home to the third gargoyle statue, who has really fantastical wings and big claws curling around the miniature book she’s reading. Unlike the others, both of whom look ferocious, this girl looks mischievous, like she knows she’s going to get in trouble for being up way past her bedtime, but she just can’t put the story down. I decide instantly that she’s my favorite and pick out a book from her shelf to read tonight in case I can’t sleep. Then nearly laugh out loud as I trace my finger around the edges of a sticker that reads, “I’m not a damsel in distress; I’m a dragon in a dress.”
― Tracy Wolff, Crave

“Age doesn’t determine a man’s worth. Experience does. Character does.”
― Naima Simone, Grading Curves

“After dinner, we clear the dishes and go into the den, where I sit on the same brown paisley couch that we’ve had forever. In fact, the entire house looks exactly the same as it did in my childhood—although a little more cluttered, since I’m not around anymore to make sure everything is returned to its precise location at the end of the day. I used to think Mom didn’t buy new furniture or redecorate because she didn’t have the time or money, but now I wonder if it has to do with Dad. Like she subconsciously keeps the house the same way it was the last time he was in it. Some psychological time warp that makes her feel closer to him.”
― Colleen Oakley, Before I Go