As a former ballerina, I can't put down Maggie Shipstead's new book, Astonish Me.

If you eat enough books, you start pooping out words.

If you're not a confident person, pretend to be one.

It's always sunny above the clouds. Always. Every day on earth - every day I have ever had - was secretly sunny, after all.

I always give three pieces of advice to all the teenage girls when I do my talks: long country walks - it's important to get some fresh air in your lungs, and be in contact with your body; masturbation - it takes the edge off, it'll get you through; and the revolution - believing in changing the world.

I do not... look very feminine. Diana, Princess of Wales is feminine... I am... femi-none.

It's the silliness--the profligacy, and the silliness--that's so dizzying: a seven-year-old will run downstairs, kiss you hard, and then run back upstairs again, all in less than 30 seconds. It's as urgent an item on their daily agenda as eating or singing. It's like being mugged by Cupid.