Summer Hours Quotes

“We used to escape together, years ago, when we were so sure we could steal time before it stole us.”
― Amy Mason Doan, Summer Hours

“Certain politicians have vilified the media and weaponized the public’s desire for simple, entertaining stories because, without the media to check them, they can lie with impunity.”
― Amy Mason Doan, Summer Hours

“energy rightly applied and directed will accomplish anything.”
― Amy Mason Doan, Summer Hours

“With strangers we must try. With the ones we love, we lean back into the simple joy of being ourselves.”
― Amy Mason Doan, Summer Hours

“I was allowed to be someone different with him. To try out another version of myself. And I needed to figure out who I was. Instead of letting everyone decide for me.” He offers the faintest of nods. “So I can’t be sorry it happened.” I touch his elbow. “But I’ll always be sorry that I hurt you. And that I lied.”
― Amy Mason Doan, Summer Hours

“Even though I was only twenty, even though it was less than twelve months, my time with Cal will always be an unwritten part of my résumé. I will never be able to erase it. While he sailed away.”
― Amy Mason Doan, Summer Hours

“But weddings are brutal that way. They put the friendship caste system into perfect focus. You can’t avoid it: there are a hundred reminders of how you rank. Maid of honor down to an insignificant soul marooned at the table at the tip of the dining room archipelago, farthest from the head table. Where the guests merit only a distracted, “Hey, so glad you could come,” as the couple takes their courtesy lap around the room.”
― Amy Mason Doan, Summer Hours

“Be kind. I repeated it in my head whenever she got on my nerves.”
― Amy Mason Doan, Summer Hours

“I'd had kisses. Rushed, wet, tasting of beer, right out in the open. I'd messed around with a funny sophomore in my anthropology seminar and a shy journalism grad student, and while these nights were satisfying in their way, the pleasure didn't last past 2:00 am.
I missed patience, the sweet, smoky taste of scotch. And the gut thrum of the forbidden.
Instead of obscuring my memory of him, the hours I spent with boys at school slid to the edges and collected around it, like a frame.”
― Amy Mason Doan, Summer Hours

“A speedboat packed with college kids swerved past.
Carelessly close, blasting music, seemingly oblivious to the near miss.
“Everyone goes a little crazy the last week of summer."
—from SUMMER HOURS, out June 4, 2019”
― Amy Mason Doan, Summer Hours