The Paper Palace

by Miranda Cowley Heller

“They don’t have any kids yet—it’s not like it’s even a real marriage.

“Nice is the enemy of interesting.”

Personality wise

Often we didn’t even talk. But when we did, we talked about everything.

I love the way library books smell: more important than regular books, a grand olden-days smell, like the steps of a marble palace, or a senator.

I know he would have forgiven me. And that is why I couldn’t tell him. Because I did not want to be forgiven.

Brits love to drink, but they make tepid, vacuous cocktails.

“Flip a coin, Eleanor. If the answer you get disappoints you, do the opposite.” We already know the right answer, even when we don’t—or we think we don’t.

Men fall asleep immediately after orgasm. Women wake up. It’s curious, that off-rhythm.