I think my mother... made it clear that you have to live life by your own terms and you have to not worry about what other people think and you have to have the courage to do the unexpected.

I've been a Democrat all my life.

Well, I think, you know, the arts are really what - one of the things that make this country strong. We always think it's our economy or our military power, but in fact, I think it's our culture, our civilization, our ideas, our creativity.

To the extent that we are all educated and informed, we will be more equipped to deal with the gut issues that tend to divide us.

One of the greatest gifts my brother and I received from my mother was her love of literature and language. With their boundless energy, libraries open the door to these worlds and so many others. I urge young and old alike to embrace all that libraries have to offer.

I think that the presidency really brings out the best in a lot of people.

I enjoy writing. I enjoy that kind of process.