“The trick is to teach yourself to read in small sips as well as long swallows.”

“Saliva causes cancer, but only if swallowed in small amounts over a long period of time.”

“As long as I know there exists in the world someone who does tricks only for the love of the trick, as long as I know there is a woman who loves reading for reading's sake, I can convince myself that the world continues...And every evening I, too, abandon myself to reading, like that distant unknown woman...”

“Every single pleasure I can imagine or have experienced is more delightful, more of a pleasure, if you take it in small sips, if you take your time. Reading is not an exception.”

“Not wanting anyone to pop my bubble by speaking to me, I immediately began reading Lesbian Nuns, and that did the trick. No one attempted small talk.”

“You learn best by reading a lot and writing a lot, and the most valuable lessons of all are the ones you teach yourself.”