“A flower. White and whiskered in a fringe of ice. Silken petals held together in a loose grip.” ― Hafsah Faizal, We Hunt the Flame

 “It was raining again the next morning, a slanting gray rain like a swung curtain of crystal beads. I got up feeling sluggish and tired and stood looking out of the windows, with a dark, harsh taste of Sternwoods still in my mouth. I was as empty of life as a scarecrow's pockets. I went out to the kitchenette and drank two cups of black coffee. You can have a hangover from other things than alcohol. I had one from women.”

― Raymond Chandler, The Big Sleep