When I began to read, I began to exist

You cannot live this life anymore without the ability to read.

I think it's difficult for young people to acknowledge being smart, to knowledge being a reader. I see kids who are embarrassed to read books. They're embarrassed to have people see them doing it.

Reading is not optional.

I know what falling off the cliff means. I know from being considered a very bright kid to being considered like a moron and dropping out of school.

The movie is more real in so many ways than the life I am leading. No, that’s not true. I just desperately wish this was only a movie.

They take away your shoelaces and your belt so you can’t kill yourself no matter how bad it is. I guess making you live is part of the punishment.