“Books may well be the only true magic.”

“I always felt and still feel that fairy tales have an emotional truth that is so deep that there are few things that really rival them.”

“I think we are bound to, and by, nature. We may want to deny this connection and try to believe we control the external world, but every time there's a snowstorm or drought, we know our fate...”

“There are some things, after all, that Sally Owens knows for certain: Always throw spilled salt over your left shoulder. Keep rosemary by your garden gate. Add pepper to your mashed potatoes...”

“Sometimes the right thing feels all wrong until it is over and done with.”

“Unrequited love is so boring. Weeping under a blue-black sky is for suckers or maniacs.”

“Pride is a funny thing; it can make what is truly worthless appear to be a treasure.”

“Helplessness and anger make for predictable behavior: Children are certain to shove each other and pull hair, teenagers will call each other names and cry, and grown women who are sisters wi...”