The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Quotes

“The idea that one could live in a world where a friend would invite you to go read in another’s library feels more dream than reality. It bodes well for my life’s prospects”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 6

“Oh, how words love Hawkes. They wrap around the unexpected inflections of his voice, eager, offering their best cadence and lilt and soul. They know him well, and he them. Almost as if words are the one thing in his life he has never had to push away. He speaks words the way they pound in my chest. And it feels like a miracle, finding such a dear part of oneself walking around in someone else’s body.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 6

“I sit at the very top of a fresh month with a choice before me. One which very well may have an impact on the whole of my existence. Which book do I read next?”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 6

“There is no feeling quite like finishing a book that you’ve loved. I expect to feel nothing less.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 6

“I like days of solitude. Not as an everyday dress, but for the special occasion where one's world revolves so slowly it is almost stillness.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 6

“Yes, well, sometimes having questionable friends is doing the work of the Lord.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 6

“Even beautiful memories are sometimes too difficult to keep,”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 6

“Hawkes clearly has full diplomatic immunity to the country of Islington, with no hesitation to enter, accept sustenance from the natives, be given chocolate, and sit contentedly with a book.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 6

“Something in my heart untwisted when he said the word home.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 6

“Nothing puts one’s mishaps in perspective like the comical telling.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 6

“We all cast shadows from our past, only how difficult a thing it is to let others see them.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 6

“We often hear people say life is not fair, and yet it always feels like stubbing one's toe when we actually find it to be true.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 6

“I think about what Hawkes said those few months ago. Alchemy.” I motioned at the four of us. “It stands to reason it won’t last forever, but for now it feels like a season set apart, a foreordained— Oh, I don’t know.” Islington, relaxing into the back of the sofa, found the right phrase. “A golden age.” Now I did smile. “I’ll toast to that.” Islington reached forward for our abandoned teacups, handed me mine, then lifted his own. “To the golden age.” My cup rang against his.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 6

“And if Islington enters, then Hawkes appears.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 6

“There was a wave of emotion on his face. Of anger, or futility, or regret. But it was not at me. It was for me. I’ve no idea what it meant.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 6

“I’ve just met a very particularly pruned woman, and I am beginning to believe I want you to encourage my eccentricities when I grow old.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 6

“Bless Hawkes.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 6

“Only I feel so much older. Perhaps that is because I have already known a first love and lost him. Perhaps it is loss that truly ages us in the end.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 6

“For the love of mischief, utter nothing of sense, I beg of you.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 6

“We shared a look, one honest, bare moment of joint determination—to survive the vicissitudes mortal life affords. Namely, other people.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 6

“Perhaps it is loss that truly ages us in the end.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 6

“A house without books is a house without a soul.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 6

“The idea that one could live in a world where a friend would invite you to go read in another’s library feels more dream than reality.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 6

“the men must have both pleasure and personal liberty when their immediate tasks are done … but women are not broad enough for such recognition. They know nothing of physiological truths or of mental necessities,”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 6

“He speaks words the way they pound in my chest. And it feels like a miracle”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 6

“Did you ever, as a child, have a vision of what you hoped your home would be?”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 6

“It was then Hawkes pulled me from the water.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 6

“That Reprobate of a vicar was smiling.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 6

“I will come out conqueror, but it will require stratagem.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 6

“but for now, the thought that one of them knew my birthday and it was discussed over a drink at The Cleopatra… It leaves one feeling inside of the window, instead of outside, looking in.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 6