“I can remember my father gave me a huge history of football for my 12t...” — Nick Hornby Quote

I can remember my father gave me a huge history of football for my 12th birthday - I used to read that a lot. I can remember thinking it was cool that something I was interested in even had a history. Most things I loved didn't.

Joni Mitchell's someone who has tried to make sense of her own world, sometimes painfully, through song.

I think firmly that art is no use to anyone unless it offers some kind of consolation or hope.

Sequels are very rarely a good idea, and in any case, the success of the book changed my relationship with the club in some ways.

All the Oscars stuff for 'An Education' was incredibly exciting, especially because it was such an underdog project - no one would give us the money for it, and we all nearly gave up because it wasn't getting anywhere, then suddenly a breakthrough and this really lovely film, which then took on a life of its own.

On a royal birthday every house must fly a flag, or the owner would be dragged to a police station and be fined twenty-five rubles.

Don't invite me to a surprise birthday party. I don't have room for that secret. I've got enough real secrets I have to keep: dark, life-destroying secrets.

If I went out to play basketball with other kids, when I came home I'd shower and go right back to the computer again. If there was a birthday party or a family activity, I would take my laptop and spend the whole day there.

A friend never defends a husband who gets his wife an electric skillet for her birthday.

I like spending time with my family and friends on my birthday.