Pakistan now is like a horror film franchise. You know, it's 'Friday the 13th, Episode 63: The Terrorist from Pakistan.' And each time we hear of Pakistan it's in that context.

What else is belief but direction?

You're never rude,' she said, smiling, 'and I think it's good to be touchy sometimes. It means you care.

I'd rather create a miniature painting than a Taj Mahal of a book.

I don't want to be a Michael Moore-style artist, which is not to disparage Michael Moore. But he seems rather unsuccessful at winning people over who don't already agree with him.

My aunt used to say, "It's between me and my god; it's got nothing to do with you." It was a good enough answer for me as a snot-nosed college kid angling for a religious debate, and I still think it's a good way of putting it.

She was struggling against a current that brought her inside herself.