Now it's time to focus on basics for people in our neighborhoods... and real ethics reform at City Hall.

The city has to do what any citizen or family does, when you have a dream. You tighten your belt. You sacrifice some luxuries. Above all, you don't waste a dime.

The past will find a way to squeeze into the present–if you let it.

Writers would be warm, loyal, and otherwise terrific people-if only they'd stop writing.

For while agents and editors often misunderstand their market and sometimes reject good or even great works, they do prevent a vast quantity of truly execrable writing from being published.

Buying a book is not about obtaining a possession, but about securing a portal.

Nonfiction brought me back to earth and sobered me up whenever it seemed like I'd become too drunk on the lives and loves of imaginary people, but that doesn't mean it was any less thrilling or transporting, although it was often more illuminating.