Maggie

“One must always be careful of books,' said Tessa, 'and what is inside them, for words have the power to change us.'

'I'm not sure a book has ever changed me,' said Will. 'Well there is one volume that promises to teach one how to turn oneself into an entire flock of sheep-'

'Only the very weak minded refuse to be influenced by literature and poetry,' said Tessa, determined not to let him run wildly off with the conversation.”
― Cassandra Clare, Clockwork Angel

“Self-hate is rarely unconditional.”
― Darin Strauss, Half a Life

“Things don't go away. They become you. There is no end, as T.S. Eliot somewhere says, but addition: the trailing consequence of further days and hours. No freedom from the past, or from the future.

But we keep making our way, as we have to. We're all pretty much able to deal even with the worst that life can fire at us, if we simply admit that it is very difficult. I think that's the whole of the answer. We make our way, and effort and time give us cushion and dignity. And as we age, we're riding higher in the saddle, seeing more terrain.”
― Darin Strauss, Half a Life

“The cracks in old friendships are measured in awkward pauses.”
― Darin Strauss