By the Book

by Amanda Sellet

My thoughts had been more along the lines of Natasha, the ingénue from War and Peace, but we probably meant the same thing.

We love a book reference

“Sometimes past associations hold us back. Nostalgia can be a trap. Don’t confuse loyalty and sentimentality,”

A lot of people

assume two introverts will automatically be comfortable with each other, but sometimes it’s the opposite, due to a double helping of awkward silence.

This is my mood with introverts in real life as well.

Helen

Far better to have a noble brow, or graceful figure, or some other subtly striking feature for the discerning admirer to notice, preferably after they learned to appreciate your strength of character.

find someone who truly valued the unique or original. Most people wanted to have what everyone else wanted, as if forming their own opinions was too mentally taxing.

Nowadays the list of things you’re supposed to master is a lot longer. Be pretty! And smart! And sporty! They call it being well-rounded, but sometimes it feels like they’re saying the same thing as in the olden days: Pretend to be perfect in every way!

From damned if you do to damned if you don’t: the story of women’s lives.

“Be true to yourself and other people will see your worth. If they’re worth your time.”

Wise words for us all.

Why do people in books always let themselves do things they know they’ll regret? It’s like they’ve never heard of self-control. I just want to yell at the page, Stop! Before it’s too late!

I to want to yell this.

“It’s the nature of existence. To err is human. We screw up, and then screw up some more.”

“Remorse forces us to take a hard look at ourselves. It gives us the strength to grow, and the courage to do the right thing next time—or at least try.

“The part in books where supposedly smart characters screw up their lives because it’s just too hard”—he made a crybaby face, fists twisting in front of his eyes—“to tell someone the truth.”

“Most of what I know about friends I learned from you guys.”

This is so sweet.