“The dedication of Don Winslow's novel 'The Cartel' is nearly two pages...” — Alan Cheuse Quote

“The dedication of Don Winslow's novel 'The Cartel' is nearly two pages long: a list of journalists who were either murdered or 'disappeared' in Mexico between 2004 and 2012 - the period covered in this hugely hypnotic new thriller.”

“In 'Shadow Tag,' Erdrich creates scenes from a fictional marriage, that of two American Indians, Irene and her painter husband Gil, that suggest some of the worst psychological torments and stresses of real life.”

“From sublime affairs of state to the stark and vulgar popular culture of our own contemporary lives, let's make this descent into the lower registers together and recognize the good, nasty fun of 'Gone Girl,' Chicago writer Gillian Flynn's novel about the mysterious disappearance of a clever and deceptive young Midwestern housewife.”

“People ask me how I keep my figure, and I tell them it's because I paint. When you're covered in paint, it's quite hard to put food in your mouth!”

“I suffer from arachnophobia. I don't mind the tiny spiders so much, it's the ones with their legs covered in thick hair.”

“For years, I hated myself. I covered the mirrors in my house. I literally couldn't have a mirror in my room.”