Smells could bring a person back clearer than pictures even could.

One sad thing about this world is that the acts that take the most out of you are usually the ones that people will never know about. (from 'Celestial Navigation')

Farmers are patient men. They got to be. Got to see those seeds come up week by week, fraction by fraction, and sweat it out for some days not knowing yet is it weeds or vegetables.

I consciously try to end my novels at a point where I won't have to wonder about my characters ever again.

And I am interested in the fact that class is very much a factor in America, even though it's not supposed to be.

I've always thought a hotel ought to offer optional small animals. I mean a cat to sleep on your bed at night, or a dog of some kind to act pleased when you come in. You ever notice how a hotel room feels so lifeless?

He wished he had inhabited more of his life, used it better, filled it fuller.