Yes, I hate it when people call me a 'national treasure'. It takes away your bite and makes you feel like a harmless old golden Labrador.

Will you lie to me and promise to read them? Books need to be read. The pages need to be turned.

Love is the only thing that keeps me sane.

I married two weeks after my 18th birthday, far too young, and by the time I was 23 I was a single mother of three small children, Sean, Daniel and Victoria, living in a prefab house.

Most social problems could be helped or prevented if people had more money and practical advice.

I don't know why women are so mad about flowers. Personally, they leave me cold. I prefer trees.

Every time I start a new piece of work, I spend a long while under the duvet thinking I can't do it.

There's only one thing more boring than listening to other people's dreams, and that's listening to their problems.

I think we take it for granted that if you are with your husband after 30 years, then he is the love of your life.

I am from the working class. I am now what I was then. No amount of balsamic vinegar and Prada handbags could make me forget what it was like to be poor.

8.45 a.m. My mother is in the hospital grounds smoking a cigarette. She is looking old and haggard. All the debauchery is catching up with her.

It shouldn't take a life-changing event for you to change your life.

You are intelligent if you know what you do not know.

Negative words have a way of permeating our system and making themselves comfortable in our sub-conscious.

I've had dreams about tricks.

Every child needs to have for itself not only its loving parents and siblings and friends of its own age, but a grown-up friend.

The proper balance between individual liberty and central authority is a very ancient problem.

As for restaurants, I'd say I'm always down for Wendy's. A little fry dipping in a Frosty - that's a good deal.

I'm a blowfish. I'm not a shark, I'm a blowfish.

We have substituted organizing for agonizing and equipment for endowment.