I've never gotten used to winter and never will.

Writing is not a profession. It's a calling. It's almost holy.

One of the things reading does, it makes your loneliness manageable if you are an essentially lonely person.

Once you cease to be a master, once you throw off your master's yoke, you are no longer human rubbish, you are a human being, and all the things that adds up to. So, too, with the slaves. Once they are no longer slaves, once they are free, they are no longer noble and exalted; they are just human beings.

I didn't really understand racism because I grew up in an all-black society, so I didn't see how it was possible not to like me!

when people say you're charming you are in deep trouble.

At the time I was taught to read, it was an Eden-like time of my life. My mother adored me. Everyone adored me. So I associate reading with enormous pleasure.