So this is the space during tutoring hours. It's very busy. Same principles: one-on-one attention, complete devotion to the students' work and a boundless optimism and sort of a possibility of creativity and ideas.

I think almost every writer in the world would hope that books would be always talked about with respect and civility and depth and seriousness.

Love is implicit in every connection. It should be. Thus when absent it makes us insane. (You Shall Know Our Velocity)

Because I grew up with this naive expectation of people doing right, I get shocked by every little violation.

But while mum and dad were incredibly caring, it was also a very chaotic household where everyone fought about everything. So I know what it's like to internalize all that chaos.

Be strong, be brave, be true. Endure.

I can remember exactly where I sat when my teacher first read Roald Dahl's 'James and the Giant Peach'.