I do, Augustus. I do.

As a reader, I don't feel a story has an obligation to make me happy. I want stories to show me a bigger world than the one I know.

Here's my answer to the very real existential crisis that grips me midway through everything I've ever tried to do: I think stories help us fight the nihilistic urges that constantly threaten to consume us.

I love being in cities with lots of other people, because I'm reminded that there are billions of people like me, and we are each stuck inside of our minds, feverishly trying to crawl out to make connections with other people.

He missed her like crazycakes.

I even tried to tell myself to live my best life today.

You are helpful, and you are loved, and you are forgiven, and you are not alone.