“Francie thought that all the books in the world were in that library and she had a plan about reading all the… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
From that moment on, the world was hers for the reading. She would never be lonely again. — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
“She loved books. She loved them with her senses and her intellect. They way they looked and smelled; the way they felt… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
“She loved the library and was anxious to worship the lady in charge. But the librarian had other things on her mind.… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
But the penciled sheets did not seem like nor smell like the library book so she had given it up, consoling herself… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
From that time on, the world was hers for the reading. She would never be lonely again, never miss the lack of… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
It doesn't take long to write things of which you know nothing. When you write of actual things, it takes longer, because… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
“When she thought she was nearly finished, she noticed that the next shelf started up again with Browne. After that came Browning.… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
“She wanted to own a book so badly and she had thought the copying would do it. But the pencilled sheets did… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
Mother, I am young. Mother, I am just eighteen. I am strong. I will work hard, Mother. But I do not want… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
The library was a little old shaby place. Francie thought it was beautiful. The feeling she had about it was as good… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
“From that time on, the world was hers for the reading. She would never be lonely again, never miss the lack of… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
Francie was ten years old when she first found an outlet in writing. What she wrote was of little consequence. What was… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
“Francie thought that all the books in the world were in that library and she had a plan about reading all the… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
“When it first appeared, in 1943, it was called, by those critics who liked it, an honest book, and that is accurate… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
“Yes, when I get big and have my own home, no plush chairs and lace curtains for me. And no rubber plants. I'll have… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
“Several times that day, the name or thought of Papa had come up. And each time, Francie had felt a flash of tenderness instead… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
As long as one can suffer, one is living…live and suffer until life is gone. — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
“Sissy told them they were way behind the times; that midwives were things of the past. Besides, she informed them proudly, she had no… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
“Why, Mrs McGarrity's all right. Mr McGarrity's all right, too. Only I guess they aren't all right to each other.” — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
“I drink because I don't stand a chance and I know it. I couldn't drive a truck and I couldn't get on the cops… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
“Pipe dreams, he thought to himself, even while he was telling her about his dream winnings. But oh, how wonderful, he thought, if everything… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
“Who wants to die? Everything struggles to live. Look at that tree growing up there out of that grating. It gets no sun, and… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
“She sat in the sunshine watching the life on the street and guarding within herself, her own mystery of life.” — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
...the reading, the observing, the living from day to day. It was something that had been born into her and her only - the… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
People always think that happiness is a faraway thing … something complicated and hard to get. Yet, what little things can make it up. — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
