“Benches and books have things in common beyond the fact that they're g...” — Mal Peet Quote

“Benches and books have things in common beyond the fact that they're generally to do with sitting. Both are forms of public privacy, intimate spaces widely shared.”

“I try to write stories that will attract younger readers and make them feel part of a wider readership. I do not feel able to write books that are about, or even for, teenagers; and I am inclined to be suspicious of books which 'target' them.”

“A sentence that clots in your mouth is unlikely to flow in your mind.”

“Most of my career, I've always kind of been off the bench, so, for me, it's not about if I start or not.”

“I understand that at the end of the day it's about winning and if you win, we all look good - whether you come of the bench or you start.”

“It's not just about the 11 players that start the games, it's about the squad players, the ones that come on off the bench to make the impact and also the ones that maybe don't play but are part of the squad.”