julia

“Whenever you see flies or insects in a still life―a wilted petal, a black spot on the apple―the painter is giving you a secret message. He’s telling you that living things don’t last―it’s all temporary. Death in life. That’s why they’re called natures mortes. Maybe you don’t see it at first with all the beauty and bloom, the little speck of rot. But if you look closer―there it is.”
― Donna Tartt, The Goldfinch

“Sorry. That’s the name of the boy who poured glue on you at day care, right?” “He poured glue on everybody,” said Batty darkly.”
― Jeanne Birdsall, The Penderwicks at Point Mouette

“Death is like an explosion,” Miss Sadie said, her accent thick, like the humid air that hovered heavy around me. “It makes people take notice of things they might have overlooked.”
― Clare Vanderpool, Moon Over Manifest:

“Do you read novels?"
"I read when I have time."
"So, no."
"I read when I can't sleep."
"So, regularly then.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Rule of Wolves