I was anticipating that some readers might misread [the book] ROOM itself as a hymn to homeschooling.

...sentences swallowed and sung back and swallowed all over again. She was made entirely out of words.

So much as I enjoy big novels of epic sweep, I often find, say, if they follow several generations, by the third generation, I'm not caring about the people anymore.

Kissing a witch is a perilous business. Everybody knows it's ten times as dangerous as letting her touch your hand, or cut your hair, or steal your shoes. What simpler way is there than a kiss to give power a way into your heart?

People don't always want to be with people. It gets tiring.

There are so many examples today of how the kind of wonderful zealousness and unquestioning loyalty of young people can be harnessed by all sorts of insidious powers.

The way to my heart is through Belgian milk chocolate.