Top 12 Quotes by Bill Konigsberg

And perhaps the best answer is not to tolerate differences, not even to accept them. But to celebrate them. Maybe then those who are different would feel more loved, and less, well, tolerated.

And perhaps the best answer is not to tolerate differences, not even to accept them. But to celebrate them. Maybe then those who are different would feel more loved, and less, well, tolerated.

Bill Konigsberg

Differences, Different, Answers

Bill Konigsberg (2013). “Openly Straight”, p.142, Scholastic Inc.

Having no room of my own to "take care of things" had begun to weigh on me. I wondered if storing up semen would have a health impact on me, positive or negative, like shinier hair or weight gain.

Bill Konigsberg

Positive, Caring, Impact

Bill Konigsberg (2013). “Openly Straight”, p.145, Scholastic Inc.

The hole in my heart, I can’t even begin to describe. It’s hard when you open your heart and let someone in and then suddenly they’re not in it anymore. It doesn’t matter whose fault it is; that empty spot stings so bad that you want to find any kind of relief, or wrap yourself up so tight you can’t feel it anymore. I knew it might be there a little while. Or maybe even a long while. For both of us.

Bill Konigsberg

Heart, Long, Littles

Bill Konigsberg (2013). “Openly Straight”, p.281, Scholastic Inc.

Do you know how you get the urge to clean your room, and it’s no big deal? But when your mom tells you that you have to clean your room, you don't want to? That's me, anyway.

Bill Konigsberg

Mom, Rooms, Want

Bill Konigsberg (2013). “Openly Straight”, p.81, Scholastic Inc.

Straight people have it so much easier. They don’t understand. They can’t. There’s no such thing as openly straight.

Bill Konigsberg

People, Easier

Bill Konigsberg (2013). “Openly Straight”, p.207, Scholastic Inc.

Wouldn't it be nice if we lived in a world where no one thought being gay was even something to ride someone about?

Bill Konigsberg

Nice, Gay, World

Bill Konigsberg (2013). “Openly Straight”, p.104, Scholastic Inc.

The Greeks were smarter than us, and they had different words for different kinds of love. There's storge, which is family love. That's not us. There's eros, which is sexual love. There's philia, which is brotherly love. And then there's the highest form. Agape.” He pronounced it “aga-pay.” “That's transcendental love, like when you place the other person above yourself.

Bill Konigsberg

Family Love, Greek, Different

Bill Konigsberg (2013). “Openly Straight”, p.205, Scholastic Inc.

You can be anything you want, but when you go against who you are inside, it doesn't feel good.

Bill Konigsberg

Feel Good, Want, Feels

Bill Konigsberg (2013). “Openly Straight”, p.291, Scholastic Inc.

I don't think about relatability (when writing), I think about the heart of the character.

Bill Konigsberg

Writing, Heart, Character

The world needs people who are more comfortable standing still. We keep the earth on it axis when everybody else is bouncing around.

Bill Konigsberg

Life, Axes, People

Bill Konigsberg (2013). “Openly Straight”, p.310, Scholastic Inc.

It needs to be said that sometimes my mom forgets important details when she talks. Like the time she told us she was considering leather (couches, it turns out), or when I was little and she said, "Here's a napkin to put your balls in" (the Atomic Fireballs that I was eating, she meant).

Bill Konigsberg

Mom, Important, Details

Bill Konigsberg (2013). “Openly Straight”, p.93, Scholastic Inc.