Sarah Vowell Quotes

I’ve only ever learned things through experience, reading real books or talking to old people.

I don’t read my reviews. I do die inside when readers at book signings say they do not read history books but they like to read mine. Who brags about a lack of intellectual curiosity?

I’m really not so good with the living. But a refrigerated archive full of brittle missionary letters? I’m home.

Professionally, I dabbled in various topics and formats my first decade as a writer by necessity to pay the bills. Luckily, I fell in love with historical research and writing right around the time I realized I was a terrible reporter because I don’t like to pry.