Ollie Z Book Minx

“In the land of historical romance novels, particularly the Regencies, there is no line more quoted than this: Reformed rakes make the best husbands. It's the sort of pithy one-liner a beloved character dashes off and everyone laughs a sparkling laugh, the heroine knits her brow, and the rogue in question scowls but we all know the truth: That bad boy will soon be reformed. And he will like it.”
― Maya Rodale, Dangerous Books for Girls: The Bad Reputation of Romance Novels Explained

“Living in a dream of the future is considered a character flaw. Living in the past, bathed in nostalgia, is also considered a character flaw. Living in the present moment is hailed as spiritually admirable, but truly ignoring the lessons of history or failing to plan for tomorrow are considered character flaws ... I wanted to know how to inhabit time in a way that wasn't a character flaw.”
― Sarah Manguso, Ongoingness: The End of a Diary

“You did the doctoring work as neatly as you could, and if it was on something oozy, then you just thought about how nice things would be when you'd stopped doing it.”
― Terry Pratchett

“Butterflies were all very pretty in a meadow. They were altogether less comfortable in her stomach.”
― Mary Balogh, Only a Promise