My life was my life; I would have to stare it down, somehow, and make it work for me.

Nothing hurts if you don't let it.

I preferred to look at the sea, which said nothing and never made you feel alone.

Books could be an incredible adventure. I stayed under my blanket and barely moved, and no one would have guessed how my mind raced and my heart soared with stories.

She was also incredibly confident, with a way of moving and talking that communicated that she didn't need anyone to tell her she was beautiful or worthwhile.

Sometimes I wish we could rub out all of our mistakes and start fresh, from the beginning,' I said. 'And sometimes I think there isn't anything to us but our mistakes.

Though I often looked for one, I finally had to admit that there could be no cure for Paris.