" The world was a terrible place, cruel, pitiless, dark as a bad dream. Not a good place to live. Only in books could you find pity, comfort, happiness - and love. Books loved anyone who opened them, they gave you security and friendship and didn't ask anything in return; they never went away, never, not even when you treated them badly. "

― Cornelia Funke , Inkheart / Inkspell / Inkdeath (The Inkheart Trilogy #1-3)