Every moment I have ever experienced as a child is as important as every moment I am experiencing now, or will experience ever. I guess what I'm saying is that not everybody should have children.

After all, this is America, and you can swap out the parts of yourself that don't work. You can rebuild yourself piece by piece.

Michigan, with its delicious American name. How lucky one must be to live there.

The simple trill of her laugh has not declined over the years; if anything it's been buffeted by her endless sorrows and disappointments.

There's something outrageously simple about extending yourself toward a goal the way a plant seeks the sun's rays or a gopher the crunch of easy soil beneath his paws, and then getting exactly what you want, sunshine or some prized tuber.

After he had taught himself to be friendly, everything else became harder. He had to let go of his nerdy passions. He couldn't do both at once.

The world is harsh and inconsiderate, and you can rely only on your family.

If you stop thinking, if you stop wondering, you die.