I hated hurting him. Most of the time, I could forget about it, but the inexorable truth is this: They might be glad to have me around, but I was the alpha and the omega of my parents' suffering.

He'd fought hard, Lida told me, as if there was another way to fight.

Was it animal pee or human pee? Someone asked. How would I know? What, am I an expert in the study of pee?

You’re joining us for dinner, I hope?” asked his mom. She was small and brunette and vaguely mousy. “I guess?” I said. “I have to be home by ten. Also I don’t, um, eat meat?” “No problem. We’ll vegetarianize some,” she said. “Animals are just too cute?” Gus asked. “I want to minimize the number of deaths I am responsible for,” I said. Gus opened his mouth to respond but then stopped himself.

You cannot invent an algorithm that is as good at recommending books as a good bookseller.

There's some people in this world who you can just love and love and love no matter what.

Do you ever wonder whether people would like you more or less if they could see inside you?