“I sometimes read on the subway, but I'm a hopeless eavesdropper and ge...” — J. Courtney Sullivan Quote

I sometimes read on the subway, but I'm a hopeless eavesdropper and get easily distracted by strangers' conversations.

My relationship with the 'Baby-Sitters Club' series bordered on addiction, and my mom got me heavily into the Trixie Belden mysteries as well. Trixie Belden was like Nancy Drew, but without the boyfriends and cute outfits, which I think is the reason my mother preferred her.

In high school, during marathon phone conversations, cheap pizza dinners and long suburban car rides, I began to fall for boys because of who they actually were, or at least who I thought they might become.

I call my mother every day for things: 'How long do you cook an egg for?' Or, 'Can you remind me of our dentist's phone number at home?'

When influential people speak, conversations spread like ripples in a pond. And those ripples are multidirectional; influencers inspire everyone around them to explore new ideas and think differently about their work.

Social sharing of photos - landscapes, selfies, latte-foam art - can spark conversations and deeper engagements.

Sending a text and not having to talk takes the pressure off. You are always in control of digital conversations.

I think your conversations are indicative of your tastes - even your diction.

To unite the country, we have to be able to sit across the table from people who don't think like us and have strong conversations about where our country needs to go for everybody to benefit.