“She had never seen the Tree House at night. Vast and dark, lit with candles for the occasion, the rooms looked magical,… — Allegra Goodman Copy Share Image
“Jess herself had not eaten fowl or roast or even fish in years, but the books awakened memories of turkey and thick… — Allegra Goodman Copy Share Image
“I used to write poetry when I was younger," Jess said. She had kept a notebook by her bed, in case some… — Allegra Goodman Copy Share Image
“She knew she was overextended, but she couldn't help herself. Student, tree lover, citizen of the Earth, she was busier than ever… — Allegra Goodman Copy Share Image
“I prefer feeling insignificant," said Jess. "I don't believe that." "I didn't say worthless, I said insignificant, as in the grand scheme… — Allegra Goodman Copy Share Image
“The sisters' voices were almost identical, laughing mezzos tuned in childhood to the same pitch and timbre. To the ear, they were… — Allegra Goodman Copy Share Image
“Yorick's Used and Rare Books had a small storefront on Channing but a deep interior shaded by tall bookcases crammed with history,… — Allegra Goodman Copy Share Image
“A peach, slightly unbalanced, so that it listed to one side, its hue the color of an early sunrise. Had George remembered… — Allegra Goodman Copy Share Image
“To make a tarte of strawberyes," wrote Margaret Parker in 1551, "take and strayne theym with the yolkes of four eggs, and… — Allegra Goodman Copy Share Image
“The woods are lovely, dark, and deep," Jess intoned as they took the path down from the parking lot. She had imagined… — Allegra Goodman Copy Share Image
“On the third day, she smelled the fruit as soon as she came in. She followed the scent to the kitchen, and… — Allegra Goodman Copy Share Image
“Who are you? She asked silently, as she laid away the collector's quotations, his drawings, his scraps of famous poetry: "Come live… — Allegra Goodman Copy Share Image
“On the third day, she smelled the fruit as soon as she came in. She followed the scent to the kitchen, and the peach… — Allegra Goodman Copy Share
“She herself vacillated when it came to belief. She did not particularly believe in God. Or, rather, she didn't believe in a particular God.… — Allegra Goodman Copy Share
Know your literary tradition, savor it, steal from it, but when you sit down to write, forget about worshiping greatness and fetishizing masterpieces. — Allegra Goodman Copy Share
“Sandra turned to the page with the title "Toklas' Hashich Fudge." The original hashish brownies. 'Peppercorns, nutmeg, cinnamon, coriander, stone dates, dried figs, shelled… — Allegra Goodman Copy Share
“Giddy with each other and the wine, they strolled outside through the Presidio, the old fort now housing restaurants and galleries. Jess explained that… — Allegra Goodman Copy Share
“How sad, he thought, that desire found new objects but did not abate, that when it came to longing there was no end.” — Allegra Goodman Copy Share
“There were three wedding cakes, curious and historical but tasty, each labeled with a calligraphed card: "Plumb Cake" with currants, nutmeg, mace, cinnamon, salt,… — Allegra Goodman Copy Share
“When I first enjoyed this superb view, one glowing April day," Jess read aloud, "from the summit of the Pacheco Pass, the Central Valley,… — Allegra Goodman Copy Share
“The wines were great, and better by the minute, even as the drinkers softened. Just as wines opened at the table, so the friends'… — Allegra Goodman Copy Share
“Who are you? She asked silently, as she laid away the collector's quotations, his drawings, his scraps of famous poetry: "Come live with me… — Allegra Goodman Copy Share
“She was surprised because she was Emily, and she did not share Jonathan's frank assessment of coworkers as losers, whiners, bozos, sharks. No, she… — Allegra Goodman Copy Share
I do not think novels are necessarily more worthwhile than games. A novel can be a trivial waste of time, and a game can… — Allegra Goodman Copy Share
The new one actually reads, but only to pass judgment. This is the way kids learn today. Someone told them how you feel is… — Allegra Goodman Copy Share
I do think some games are works of art, although their medium is visual rather than verbal. Both games and novels allow the reader/player… — Allegra Goodman Copy Share
“Jess gazed at the apples arranged in all their colors: russet, blushing pink, freckled gold. She cast her eyes over heaps of pumpkins, bins… — Allegra Goodman Copy Share
