"My first book came out 32 years ago. I have had a chance to see personally what I consider the most moving thing in my career, which is when a bookseller or a librarian says to a young reader, 'I think I have what you want. I think this is the book for you.' No matter how many times I see that, I cry, because it's such an amazing connection. To have someone know the readership, know the book, and to put those two things together is a magic combination.
"Even before I was a writer, whenever I would travel, I always wanted to hang out in a bookstore. You learn a lot about a place by visiting its bookstore, but also feel comfortable there. In a bookstore, I've never had that uncomfortable feeling that you should be buying something, or you should get out of someone's way, or that you shouldn't touch something. I've never had that feeling."