So Matilda’s strong young mind continued to grow, nurtured by the voices of all those authors who had sent their books out into the world like ships on the sea. These books gave Matilda a hopeful and comforting message: You are not alone.

Sometimes Matilda longed for a friend, someone like the kind, courageous people in her books.

So Matilda's strong young mind continued to grow, nurtured by the voices of all those authors who had sent their books out into the world like ships on the sea.

It was books that made me feel that perhaps I was not completely alone. They could be honest with me, and I with them.

We read to know we are not alone.

We read to know we're not alone.

So often, a visit to a bookshop has cheered me, and reminded me that there are good things in the world.

"I'm wondering what to read next." Matilda said. "I've finished all the children's books."

It is from books that wise people derive consolation in the troubles of life.

I told myself that as long as there were books I could be sure of being happy.

We live and breathe words. .... It was books that made me feel that perhaps I was not completely alone. They could be honest with me, and I with them. Reading your words, what you wrote, how you were lonely sometimes and afraid, but always brave; the way you saw the world, its colors and textures and sounds, I felt — I felt the way you thought, hoped, felt, dreamt. I felt I was dreaming and thinking and feeling <i>with</i> you. I dreamed what you dreamed, wanted what you wanted — and then I realized that truly I just wanted you.

These books are my friends, my companions.

It’s always encouraging to be told that it is intellectually acceptable to read the sorts of things that you like to read anyway.

I always say, 'Books beat boredom,' said Amanda wisely.