You can tell a lot from a person's nails. When a life starts to unravel, they're among the first to go.

When people have supernatural beliefs I think they should be respected but there is no reason why they need to impose them on others.

When there are no consequences, being wrong is simply a diversion.

Rebecca Goldstein is a rare find among contemporary novelists: she has intellectual muscle as well as a tender emotional reach.

He who hesitates is not only lost, but miles from the next exit.

I couldn't think about novels at all. It seemed the only writing that was appropriate to that horrendous event was journalism, reportage. And, in fact, I think the profession rose quite honorably to the task. Novelists require a slower turnover, I mean, in time.

...the world she ran through loved her and would give her what she wanted and would let it happen.