278 Quotes by Jonathan Lethem

I've never related to the work geek at all-it sounds much more horrible than nerd. Like a freak biting a chicken's head off in a sideshow.

I grew up with an artist father, and my parents' friends were also mainly artists or writers, so he connects what I do with his example.

I try to write every day. I don't beat myself up about word counts, or how many hours are ticking by on the clock before I'm allowed to go and do something else. I just try to keep a hand in and work every single day, even if there are other demands or I'm on a book tour or have the flu or something, because then I keep my unconscious engaged with the book. Then I'm always a little bit writing, no matter what else I'm doing.

I had always wanted to be a writer who confused genre boundaries and who was read in multiple contexts.

Teenage life - possibly adult life too is all about what you want and can’t have. And then about what you receive and misuse.

I don't paint anymore. I haven't since I abandoned it at 19, in order to begin writing seriously.

Making books has always felt very connected to my bookselling experience, that of wanting to draw people's attention to things that I liked, to shape things that I liked into new shapes.

Discomfort is very much part of my master plan.

I can't bear the silent ringing in my skull.