If you haven't been in a war and are wondering how long it takes to get used to losing everything you think you need or love, I can tell you the answer is no time at all.

If there was ever a more perfect day in the history of time it isn't one I've heard about.

My daughter is a fantastic travelling companion - she's totally organised, whereas I'm hopeless.

Life is absolutely horrific, leading up to absolute horror.

I'd like to think life has improved since 1850, despite the long hours we all seem to spend slaving over hot computers, but the psychological journeys remain the same - the search for love, identity, a meaningful place in the world.

I frightened myself. I became the ghost Piper was so scared of.

When you read a book, the neurons in your brain fire overtime, deciding what the characters are wearing, how they're standing, and what it feels like the first time they kiss. No one shows you. The words make suggestions. Your brain paints the pictures.