So, I’m reading How the Light Gets In by M.J.Highland and I’ve written down two quotes one of which seemed perfect for today. The story is about a troubled but gifted girl from Sydney being given a chance to live with a superficially perfect American family, the sort you see on TV adverts. I’m not sure if I like the book yet as you are never allowed to settle down and know or understand the main character, I can’t even decide if I like her or even sympathise. Anyway, here are the quotes…

‘I’m sorry,’ is all I can get out. Sorry is short, less likely to make me cry. It’s a good thing sorry is such a short word and so easy to say. If it was a long word, like recalcitrance, I think I’d be in a lot more trouble.

In another scene, the main character tries some speed to alieviate some of the stress and anxiety she is experiencing… obviously that doesn’t go so well…

When I try to sleep, I can’t. All I can do is sit up and rock myself back and forth and rub my legs and arms, which ache as though they swam home and want to swim some more.

The book is written so beautifully, I’m guessing the confusingly androgynously named author is female, wonder if I’m right?