The Germans in basements were pitiable, surely, but at least they had a chance. That basement was not a washroom. They were not sent there for a shower. For those people, life was still achievable.

I walked home, seeing all my doubt from the other side. Have you ever seen that? Like when you go on holiday. On the way back, everything is the same but it looks a little different than it did on the way. It's because you're seeing it backwards.

He prefers not to ruin things with any more questions. What it is is what it is.

What do you want to kiss me for? I'm filthy.'- Liesel So am I.'- Rudy

Yes, I'm often reminded of her, and in one of my array of pockets, I have kept her story to retell. It is one of the small legion I carry, each one extraordinary in its own right. Each one an attempt - an immense leap of an attempt - to prove to me that you, and your human existence, are worth it.

A fighter can be a winner, but that doesn't make a winner a fighter.

Better that we leave the paint behind," Hans told her, "than ever forget the music.