Margaret Mahy, now and forever.
I just picked up Margaret Mahy's The Other Side of Silence and came across this quote a mere six pages in:
"I always have to carry so many books," Annie pointed out, which was quite true. "Nobody ever realizes just how strong bookish people have to be, just to get from place to place."
Which, swoon.
I'm loving the book so far—which isn't at all surprising, because Margaret Mahy—and it's already made me think of both Franny Billingsley (voice) and Hilary McKay (family scenes). So I suspect I'm in for a huge treat.