I never read detective novels. I started out in graduate school writing a more serious book. Right around that time I read 'The Day of the Jackal' and 'The Exorcist'. I hadn't read a lot of commercial fiction, and I liked them.

It was like meeting someone out of your dreams, or fantasies, or a beloved character from a favorite book.

"You were designed to be very smart, Max," she told me. "We electrically stimulated your synaptic nerve endings while your brain was developing." "And yet I still can't program my DVD player," I said.

When its true, when it's right, love can give you the kind of joy that you can't get from any other experience.

And Max, I've put some scraps in a bowl for your dog," Mom said. "It's on the floor, by the back door." The flock and I went still. Uh-oh, I thought. Total stomped up to me, his glare accusing. "A bowl on the floor!" he seethed. "Why don't you just chain me to a stake in the yard and throw me a bone!

Do I open it? Do I open it? Of course I freaking open it!

This is my brain: O This is my brain after making out with Fang: * It's very sad.