Imagine smiling after a slap in the face. Then think of doing it twenty-four hours a day. - Markus Zusak

I wanted to tell the book thief many things, about beauty and brutality. But what could I tell her about those things that she didn't already know? I wanted to explain that I am constantly overestimating and underestimating the human race-that rarely do I ever simply estimate it. I wanted to ask her how the same thing could be so ugly and so glorious, and its words and stories so damning and brilliant.

She took a step and didn't want to take any more, but she did.

I have hated words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right.