Tolkien understood about the things that happen after the end. Because this is after the end, this is all the Scouring of the Shire, this is figuring out how to live in the time that wasn’t supposed to happen after the glorious last stand. I saved the world, or I think I did, and look, the world is still here, with sunsets and interlibrary loans. And it doesn’t care about me any more than the Shire cared about Frodo.

I don’t think I am like other people. I mean on some deep fundamental level. It’s not just being half a twin and reading a lot and seeing fairies. It’s not just being outside when they’re all inside. I used to be inside. I think there’s a way I stand aside and look backwards at things when they’re happening which isn’t normal.

There's a sunrise and a sunset every single day, and they're absolutely free. Don't miss so many of them.

It doesn't matter. I have books, new books, and I can bear anything as long as there are books.

Before I got glasses, I thought Monet was the world's only realist landscape painter.

It's amazing how large the things are that it's possible to overlook.

I care more about the people in books than the people I see every day.