If we marvel at the artist who has written a great book, we must marvel more at those people whose lives are works of art and who don't even know it, who wouldn't believe it if they were told. However hard work good writing may be, it is easier than good living.

Our fundamental task as human beings is to seek out connections-to exercise our imaginations.

It's such a thrill when an adult comes up to me and says, 'I read your book as a child and really loved it.' That's a tremendous compliment.

I realize, of course, that I wasn't born knowing how to read. I just can't imagine a time when I didn't know how.

If you're a kid who is always on the outside hoping to be on the inside, you're watching a lot. You're trying to figure out how to become a normal person in a society that considers you weird.

Reading has made such a profound difference to my life. I'm sure I became a writer because of the power of literature in my own life.

I woke up one morning and realized that what I wanted to say to everyone - children, young people, adults - was: Read for your life.