I live in a rural part of Virginia surrounded by farms and farmers.

Science doesn't tell us what we should do. It only tells us what is.

Libraries are the one American institution you shouldn't rip off.

Illusions mistaken for truth are the pavement under our feet. They are what we call civilization.

I didn't study writing in school, I studied biology as an undergraduate and graduate student. So I think that I write fiction in the scientific way. I love invention, obviously; I love creation of character. But I do feel very rooted in the real world, even in the way that I create characters.

We agreed with him in principal - we were little scientists, born and bred. But children robbed of love will dwell on magic.

Tall and straight I may appear, but I will always be Ada inside. A crooked little person trying to tell the truth. The power is in the balance: we are our injuries, as much as we are our successes