and what might seem to be a series of unfortunate events may in fact be the first steps of a journey.

The library was one enormous room, with long, high metal shelves and the perfect quiet that libraries provide for anyone looking for an answer.

Take back the smile and the night, take it all back, I wish I could.

I’m not a romantic, I’m a half-wit. Only stupid people would think I’m smart. I’m not something anyone should know. I’m a lunatic wandering around for scraps, I’m like every single miserable moron I’ve scorned and pretended I didn’t recognize. I’m all of them, every last ugly thing in a bad last-minute costume. I’m not different, not at all, not different from any other speck of a thing. I’m a blemished blemish, a ruined ruin, a stained wreck so failed I can’t see what I used to be.

The trick to following someone without getting caught is to follow somebody who doesn't think they're being followed.

Lately it has become more and more difficult to attend dinner parties without the evening ending in gunfire or tapioca.

Beef. Yes. Roast beef. It's the Swedish term for beef that is roasted.