“Money doesn’t have anything have anything to do with the magnificence of a person.”

I adored the Iranian sisters, Marjan, Bahar and Layla, who are looking to build a life, start a business and find love in a place so far from home.

People have often told me that one of their strongest childhood memories is the scent of their grandmother’s house.

The wedding vows are a license to be a complete jerk.

I don’t even like the sound of the dryer going – I like the quiet.

A feat she had never believed possible

We worry only about those we brought into this world.

Travel is very inspirational – but it’s in the ordinary that I find my themes of love and work and family.

The intimacy. The deepest level of love.

Having a purpose is the little secret of the nonpretties. Something to do always beats something to look at.

The good things that happen to us were meant to happen, and the bad things that happen are lessons meant to teach us to be better.

Art makes the spirit soar. And when the spirit is lifted, life follows.

The Bookmobile is just a government truck, but to me it’s a glittering royal coach delivering stories and knowledge and life itself.

I have held the following jobs: office temp, ticket seller in movie theatre, cook in restaurant, nanny, and phone installer at the Super Bowl in New Orleans.

In fact, I prefer it to elation or joy. Relief lets the air out of the Tire of Pain.

Beware the things of this world that can mean everything or nothing.

I used to believe my art had to be about the things that brought me joy and gave me hope.

To do something that you feel in your heart that’s great, you need to make a lot of mistakes. Anything that’s successful is a series of mistakes.

I don’t have anything to prove.

I want to like my music before you like it. I don’t want to sell anything that I don’t really like.

I hate to say anything that may hurt UCLA, but I can’t be quiet when I see what the NCAA is doing to Jerry Tarkanian only because he has a reputation for giving a second chance to many black athletes other coaches have branded as troublemakers.

I thought anything that feels this good and makes me want to tap my foot like this can’t be a passing fad like everybody says.

A person worth envying is a person who doesn’t envy

I’s taken me a great deal to get here. I don’t plan on missing anything.

And did I mention two dashing princes? Warning: these books may cause you to forget anything else exists until you’ve turned the last enthralling page. And then you’ll want to start all over again!