Two

Fifth time through, never fails to disappoint: "This is how you lose her" by Junot Díaz, his second collection of short stories.

It is electrifying in its aggressive assertion as it magnifies the confusion and paradox of the human heart. It defines the inescapable challenges to romance, intimacy and loving oneself. This book allows me to feel a rollercoaster of emotions. It gives me life, hope, dreams, and happiness. //

My favorite quotes:

"It's just a matter of will power: The day you decide it's over, it's over. You never get over it."

"Our relationship wasn't the sun, the moon, the stars, but it wasn't bullshit, either."

"Then you look at her and smile a smile your dissembling race will remember until the day you die. Baby, you say, baby, this is part of my novel. 
This is how you lose her."

"You keep waiting for the heaviness to leave you. You keep waiting for the moment you never think about the ex again. It doesn't come."

"You were at the age where you could fall in love with a girl over an expression, over a gesture."

"You must learn her. 
You must know the reason why she is silent. You must trace her weakest spots. You must write to her. You must remind her that you are there. You must know how long it takes for her to give up. You must be there to hold her when she is about to. You must love her because many have tried and failed. An she wants to know that she is worthy to be loved, that she is worthy to be kept. 
And, this is how you keep her."

"You don't want to let go, but don't want to be hurt, either."

"The half-life of love is forever."

"We hurt each other too well to let it drop."