People change, no use getting sentimental about it. Move on, find someone else.

Well, it's so hard for books to take off. You give years of your life to something that probably won't happen, so when it does, it feels a little unjust.

David Holdaway was my stage name. I was an actor for about eight years in the '90s. I had to change my name because there was another David Nicholls, and I thought if I changed it to my mother's name, she'd be touched.

The problem with all these fiercely individualistic girls was that they were all exactly the same.

She wondered if she was doomed to be one of those people who spend their lives trying things.

Of course you should study whatever you want. The written appreciation and understanding of literature, or any kind of artistic endeavour, is absolutely central to a decent society. Why d'you think books are the first things that the fascists burn?

Happyish. Well, happyish isn't so bad.' 'It's the most we can hope for.