I rarely get a moment to myself, but I love the way that my agenda is dictated by the children, not my work.

The thing about getting older is that you don't need everything to be possible any more, you just need things to be certain.

If the culture is so all pervasive that you can’t think outside of it, how are you making genuine choices?

If you think you are powerless, then you are

A new car is not going to change your life.

I'm very eclectic in my music tastes - anything from Nina Simone to Beethoven to Talvin Singh.

You know how if you're born in a certain situation you always expect your life to run on a steady trajectory? I've never really had a sense of that. I assume that life is going to go up and down.

The thought of writing was always pleasant, but the process was painful

I was always an outsider, always standing outside, observing and trying to figure things out. Which is exactly what you need to do as a writer, I suppose.

I started writing 'Brick Lane' when my children were two years and five months old. We were on holiday in the north of England when I was overtaken by a compulsion to start writing.

I don't want to get hung up on what 'people,' that nebulous mass, think about me. That's the way to unhappiness, I think.

His line was the jocundly-sentimental Wardour Street brand of adventure, told in a style that exactly met, but never exceeded, every expectation.

I always feel that I have two duties to perform with a parting guest: one, to see that he doesn't forget anything that is his; the other, to see that he doesn't take anything that is mine.

Nine Men in Ten are Suicides.

I do yoga, like, 20 minutes a day, but the routine that I practice I initially watched on YouTube, like, two years ago. I'm still doing that same thing. YouTube University, man. It's the best.

As foreign minister I cannot allow myself to be guided by emotions.

It's true. I can do anything and do it well because God loves me. It still humbles me.

Those who have knowledge are more confident than those who have no knowledge, and they are more confident after they have learned than before.

Living in the moment brings you a sense of reverence for all of life’s blessings.

By giving our audience intimate access to the lives of musicians, we hope to raise awareness of the region's beautiful cultural heritage and present a more nuanced portrait of its people.

Put all excuses aside and remember this: YOU are capable.