Annie Barrows Quotes & Sayings

When grown-ups asked you to sit in a circle, they were usually about to tell you something you didn't want to hear. Ms. Aruba-Tate, Ivy and Bean's second-grade teacher, was forever gathering them in a circle for bad news. Like, the class fish died over the weekend. Or, everyone has to start using real punctuation. Or, the pencil sharpener is off-limits. Circles meant trouble. — Annie Barrows

I've learned that history is the autobiography of the historian, that ignoring the past is the act of a fool, and that loyalty does not mean falling into line, but stepping out of it for the people you love. — Annie Barrows

A hint: perhaps in this case, you should refrain from throwing the book at the audience when you finish. — Annie Barrows

I swung the door open and relaxed. She wasn't there. I stepped in and shut the door behind me. I had promised God I wouldn't touch anything. I'd just look at what was lying around. If Jane Eyre had only looked around a little, she might have saved herself a lot of heartache. — Annie Barrows

There had been a problem in Bean's house. The problem was staples. Bean loved staples. She loved them so much that she had stapled things that weren't supposed to be stapled. The things looked better stapled, but her mother didn't think so, and now Bean was outside.
She was going to be outside for a long time. — Annie Barrows

It suddenly struck me that Dawsey is a lonesome person. I think it may be that he has always been lonely, but he didn't mind before, and now he minds. — Annie Barrows

Bean decided to pay attention to what Ms. Aruba-Tate was saying. "Today, class, we are having a special science lesson." Science! Bean stopped thinking about Colorado. Science was usually dirt or fish, and Bean liked both of them. — Annie Barrows

The first rule of snooping is to come at it sideways
when you began writing me dizzy letters about Alexander, I didn't ask if you were in love with him, I asked what his favorite animal was. And your answer told me everything I needed to know about him
how many men would admit that they loved ducks? — Annie Barrows

Mary Ann could no more endure a day without reading than she could grow feathers. — Annie Barrows

I have an idea for a new book. It's a novel about a beautiful yet sensitive author whose spirit is crushed by her domineering editor. Do you like it? — Annie Barrows

The wonderful thing about books
and the thing that made them such a refuge for the islanders during the Occupation
is that they take us out of our time and place and understanding, and transport us not just into the world of the story, but into the world of our fellow readers, who have stories of their own. — Annie Barrows

We clung to books and to our friends; they reminded us that we had another part to us. — Annie Barrows

But what can I do? I can - she leapt into the abyss - join a ladies' club. There! That's respectable! That's something I can do! I can be ladylike. Why, I can be more ladylike than anyone, as long as I can keep myself from saying the first thing that pops into my mind. — Annie Barrows

You are so weird sometimes. — Annie Barrows

If I could believe I had a soul, all by myself, then I could listen to its tidings all by myself. — Annie Barrows

If you had duct tape, you were prepared for anything. — Annie Barrows

And she's certainly a good cook." Miss Betts sighed. "The epitaph of the spinster. — Annie Barrows

I have since wondered, of course, how my life would have been different if I'd decided to stay home that morning. This is what's called the enigma of history, and it can drive you out of your mind if you let it. — Annie Barrows

Would you kiss a rat on the lips? — Annie Barrows

That meant that Nancy was the grown-up, the one who got to decide everything. And it meant that Bean was the little, boring, poopy baby who didn't get to decide anything. — Annie Barrows

I am a grown woman
mostly
and I can guzzle champagne with whomever I choose. — Annie Barrows

Ivy! It's a natural disaster! You have to be there! — Annie Barrows

Reading good books spoils you for enjoying bad books. — Annie Barrows

Time softened on Sundays; it stretched itself out in vast rubbery lengths, and by two o'clock, there was more of it than would ever be needed for anything. There was no point in reading a book, writing a letter, or playing a game, because time was too flaccid ever to proceed to the moment in which the plot would twist, the letter would be sent, or the game would be won. — Annie Barrows

Grandpa, that's something I never am ... Lonesome in my spirits — Annie Barrows

Whatever gave you the idea we were like everybody else? — Annie Barrows

All of us see a story according to our own lights. None of us is capable of objectivity. You — Annie Barrows

You're right, Jottie, but what good is it? Rightness is nothing. You can't live on it. You might as well eat ashes." I glanced at Father, his bloodshot eyes and the stain on his pants. I loved him so. Once more, I tried to explain. "This is all we can do; it's all we're allowed. We can't go back. The only thing time leaves for us to decide" -- I picked up Father's hand and held it tight-- "is whether or not we're going to hate each other. — Annie Barrows

You know how I love talking about books, and you know how I adore receiving compliments. — Annie Barrows

If I could have anything I wanted, I would choose story without end, and it seems I have lots of company in that. — Annie Barrows

He was lying; I could hear it the way you hear a tune and you know how it goes. I wondered how many times I'd heard him lie, to know so well what it sounded like. — Annie Barrows