...these stories are a kind of beacon. By making stories full of empathy and amusement and the sheer pleasure of discovering the world, these writers reassert the fact that we live in a world where joy and empathy and pleasure are all around us, there for the noticing.

We're Jews, my family, and Jews break down into two distinct subcultures: book Jews and money Jews. We were money Jews.

I don't think I ever played any sports recreationally for my own pleasure. I was bad at them from the start.

I think the most famous person I've ever met is Brad Pitt.

Not enough gets said about the importance of abandoning crap.

We live in a world where joy and empathy and pleasure are all around us, there for the noticing.

Many times I see you as a portrait of torture.