I felt shame for living in a nation of unprecedented prosperity-a nation that spends a smaller percentage of income on food than any other civilization has in human history-but in the name of affordability treats the animals it eats with cruelty so extreme it would be illegal if inflicted on a dog.

The books could be completely worthless, and things we don't even read now could be considered the most important books.

To feel alone is to be alone.

We are being very nomadic with the truth, yes?

Books are slow, books are quiet. The Internet is fast and loud.

I'm not funny. People assume that because my books are funny, I'll be funny in real life. It's the inevitable disappointment of meeting me.

As I've grown older, I've grown more convinced there's nothing that shouldn't be talked about. If we think we're protecting each other, we're not.