The Tell (Oprah's Book Club)

by Amy Griffin

Memory is a sieve that catches only the most important moments. The insignificant details of daily life don’t stick; instead, they flow through the sieve. Then there are experiences that are unusual, set apart from the everyday, that carry an emotional charge. These we often hold on to, turning them over and over.

“I’ve always believed in moving forward, not looking back. Can’t I just keep going?” Olivia was silent for a moment. “Of course you can, if going like this feels like your best life,” she said. “But if there’s some part of you that feels that something is missing, then no.

I can only tell you what happens to people who run from pain: They never actually live.”

You can’t have light without the darkness. You have to feel all of it in order to feel any of it.”