Depression, I've learned, is sometimes caused by anger that we keep locked up inside.

That's absurd," I said with a little laugh. "Nobody can read too much. That's like saying someone breathes too much.

Librarians are serious people, seldomgiven to idle jocularity. The reason for this, I believe, is because we are overwhelmed by the enormous number of good books waiting to be read, leaving little time for frivolity. My personal list of must-read books presents a daunting challenge; I can't even imagine the pressure our head librarian must be under.

Smooth seas don't produce skillful sailors.

So often I have felt alone in my journey, yet I've been afraid to let anyone see my fear and weakness.

You know what I wish? I wish I could put time in a bottle and throw it into the ocean. Then I would have forever to spend with you. I wouldn’t need air to breathe or food to eat. Holding you in my arms would be all the food I would need. Having your love would be the only air I would need to breathe.

Besides re-arming myself with joy, I need to know the holes in my defenses, the places where I'm vulnerable and where the enemy has successfully attacked me before.