Kids just don't read any more. They spend much more time with video games. It's just hard to get kids to read anything. Book sales have dropped dramatically, too. I think 90% of the books are bought only by 5% of the US population.

I make my own limits which are drawn according to my own taste.

There's a long history of anthropomorphic animals in Japanese literature. The so-called 'funny animal scrolls' were the first narratives in Japanese history, and the heroes of many folk tales have animals as their companions.

All my knowledge comes from research.

There's not a higher stake than someone having to face their own death.

The thirst for powerful sensations takes the upper hand both over fear and over compassion for the grief of others.

The only way to take sorrow out of death is to take love out of life.

We don't have real control over death. You could die of a heart attack, a building could fall on you, you could be in an accident, you could have a fatal disease. So, how should you conduct your life? You just go ahead and live, taking reasonable precautions - like handling the mail more carefully.