At a Boston signing, someone from the audience asked why I was so obsessed with furniture in my books. The question rattled around in my head. I had no idea that I was obsessed with furniture.
Jonathan Carroll

Both young children and old people have a lot of time on their hands. That's probably why they get along so well.
Jonathan Carroll

Coffee on an airplane always smells bad. Whenever it is served, suddenly the whole cabin stinks of it.
Jonathan Carroll

Even the handsomest men do not have the same momentary effect on the world as a truly beautiful woman does.
Jonathan Carroll

Everyone coming out of a perfume store is smelling the back of their hand.
Jonathan Carroll

For an adult, eating alone at McDonald's is admitting a kind of defeat.
Jonathan Carroll

I don't like to have to pan for gold when I read.
Jonathan Carroll

I feel like a cliche.
Jonathan Carroll

I find you write with one person in mind. Usually for me that one person is my wife, because she's my most severe critic and understands best what I'm trying to do.
Jonathan Carroll

I have never heard anyone say This is it. I know right now is the high point of my life. It will never get any better. Only in retrospect do we recognize the best times and of course then it is too late.
Jonathan Carroll


I read less of everything now. With only fond memories of others' work, it will be interesting to give my own journal writing a try now.
Jonathan Carroll

I write about what interests me. It's very dangerous when you try to satisfy an audience.
Jonathan Carroll

I've never seen myself as a fantasy writer - ever.
Jonathan Carroll

If I don't feel like writing today or for a few days, I don't. And I don't think about it. It is not an obligation-it is the greatest privilege.
Jonathan Carroll

In Poland, my audience is all women between 18 and 30. At U.S. conventions, you have the fantasy and science fiction crowd. At Harvard you have an entirely different audience. It's so schizophrenic.
Jonathan Carroll

It's always fun to walk down the street with or behind a really beautiful woman, for no reason other than to see how the world reacts to them.
Jonathan Carroll

Just write about what bites you and damn the rest.
Jonathan Carroll

Krakow is one of my favorite places on earth. It is a medieval city full of young people. A wonderful, striking combination.
Jonathan Carroll

May this house stand until an ant drinks the ocean and a tortoise circles the world.
Jonathan Carroll

Most men, no matter how well or badly dressed, carry overstuffed, beat up wallets that should have been replaced years ago. Why is that? Every time I see a guy take out a wallet anywhere, it looks like a piece of old melted chocolate cake-with strings.
Jonathan Carroll