Garlic

But they're...evangelical about what they have, as if I've come up from north London to arrest them for being monogamous. I haven't, but they're right in thinking it's a crime where I come from: it's against the law because we're all cynics and romantics, sometimes simultaneously, and marriage, with its clichés and its steady low-watt glow, is as unwelcome to us as garlic to a vampire.

- High Fidelity by Nick Hornby

Participate

"I would die for you, but I won't live for you." Something like that. I think the idea is that every person has to live for his or her own life, and then make the choice to share it with other people. Maybe that is what makes people - 'participate'.

- The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Forgive

Forgive your country every once in a while. If that is not possible, go
to another one.

- How to Be Perfect by Ron Padgett

Anxiety

Man, I'm such an asshole. I'm
such an asshole. I'm such
an asshole. Or am I? Anxiety
is just a matter of thinking
for too long
about yourself.

- The Drama of the Gifted Hansel by Debora Libov

1933

Before Herman Weinbach died, he told Andrzej Szczerba that being a Communist homosexual Jew in Iowa in 1933 was like being a European starling that spoke two languages.
Andrzej did not know what Herman meant when he said that, but I believe he meant it was something beautiful and wonderful.

- GRASSHOPPER JUNGLE BY ANDREW SMITH

Show Off

I was a very shy child who loved to show off.

- KATHERINE PATERSON

Tarnished

I feel dirty. I feel tarnished. I feel befouled. Perhaps it is true that all that happens is in accordance with Your will, and thus it is good. But sometimes You leave blood on Your instruments.

- MURDER MYSTERIES BY NEIL GAIMAN