It took me a long time to realize this: We get to choose what defines us.

When she looked in the mirror these days, she saw someone she didn't recognize...She saw an old woman trying to be beautiful, her skin dry and her wrinkles like cracks. She looked like a very well-dressed winter apple.

The word lethologica describes the state of not being able to remember the word you want.

It had always fascinated him that she'd consumed so many words, that her head was full of stories, told a thousand different ways.

You'd be surprised how easy some things can be, things you never thought you'd do, when you take self-respect out of the equation.

I think of the future all the time. All my life I've chased dreams of what could be. For the first time in my life, I've actually caught one. I'll give you one day at a time, Claire. But remember, I'm thousands of days ahead already.

There was a certain power beautiful mothers held over their less beautiful daughters.