Ken Liu

ades into bright chrysanthemums of cold light that melded martial glory with lyrical grace; dozens of elegant, stately elephants from wild, sparsely settled

The touch is electric

Every act of communication is a miracle of translation.

reading is literally hearing the voice of the past

ideal book uncorrupted by readers.

War was the only way to animate the ideals embedded in the static text passed down through the ages, to ensure that they remained true, and to refine them for the future. An idea was worth keeping only if it led to victory.

a book has triumphed over time

Everyone makes books.

While the chattering life of the office ebbed and flowed around her, people left her alone.

Tilly, that’s an inspired choice for a wake-up song