“Death is a strange thing. People live their whole lives as if it does not exist, and yet it's often one of the great motivations for living. Some of us, in time, become so conscious of it that we live harder, more obstinately, with more fury. Some need its constant presence to even be aware of its antithesis. Others become so preoccupied with it that they go into the waiting room long before it has announced its arrival. We fear it, yet most of us fear more than anything that it may take someone other than ourselves. For the greatest fear of death is always that it will pass us by. And leave us there alone.”
― A Man Called Ove
― A Man Called Ove
“People think dreams aren't real just because they aren't made of matter, of particles. Dreams are real. But they are made of viewpoints, of images, of memories and puns and lost hopes.”
―
―
“People are always shouting they want to create a better future. It's not true. The future is an apathetic void of no interest to anyone. The past is full of life, eager to irritate us, provoke and insult us, tempt us to destroy or repaint it. The only reason people want to be masters of the future is to change the past.”
―
―
“Whatever you choose, however many roads you travel, I hope that you choose not to be a lady. I hope you will find some way to break the rules and make a little trouble out there. And I also hope that you will choose to make some of that trouble on behalf of women."
[Commencement Address, Wellesley College, 1996]”
―
[Commencement Address, Wellesley College, 1996]”
―
“This sentence has five words. Here are five more words. Five-word sentences are fine. But several together become monotonous. Listen to what is happening. The writing is getting boring. The sound of it drones. It's like a stuck record. The ear demands some variety. Now listen. I vary the sentence length, and I create music. Music. The writing sings. It has a pleasant rhythm, a lilt, a harmony. I use short sentences. And I use sentences of medium length. And sometimes, when I am certain the reader is rested, I will engage him with a sentence of considerable length, a sentence that burns with the energy and builds with all the impetus of a crescendo, the roll of the drums, the crash of the cymbals - sounds that say listen to this, it is important.”
― 100 Ways to Improve Your Writing: Proven Professional Techniques for Writing With Style and Power
― 100 Ways to Improve Your Writing: Proven Professional Techniques for Writing With Style and Power
Len's Book Club!
— 1065 members
— last activity Apr 05, 2024 07:59AM
Hi, hello, how's it going! Welcome to my book club! I am so excited for the books that we are going to be diving into and the conversations to come ...more
Marielle’s 2025 Year in Books
Take a look at Marielle’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.
More friends…
Favorite Genres
Polls voted on by Marielle
Lists liked by Marielle


























