I have a lot of faith in the power of joking to make something thoughtful. Mallory Ortberg faithjokelot Change image and share on social
We went to church twice a week. My parents were employed in ministry; we prayed before dinner. We rollerbladed in the summer. We were allowed to watch the 'Simpsons.' I fought with my younger brother over Legos. Mallory Ortberg allowbrotherchurch share on social
I love 'Jane Eyre,' and I love the Bronte sisters. I actually didn't read any of them until I was in college, so I don't have quite the same connection with them that I think a lot of women do. Mallory Ortberg brontecollegeconnection Change image and share on social
Usually, the first thing I do when I wake up is I start working, so I often won't start the day by reading anything because I like to minimize my 'commute' as much as possible. I wake up, open my laptop and start working in bed. Mallory Ortberg bedcommuteday share on social
I spent the first 22 years of my life absorbing everything, like a big disgusting cell, and now I'm disgorging it with jokes added out into the world. That's a really gross metaphor. Mallory Ortberg absorbaddbig Change image and share on social
My history teacher could make us feel like he was imparting rare gossip to us when he was talking about Maria Theresa and the Habsburgs. I just loved that sense of - the Western canon is here, and it's gossipy and tawdry, and everyone is sort of goofy. Mallory Ortberg canonfeelgoofy share on social
I love reading religious authors. Especially in the sort of circle I move in, people tend to be more secular, and I love reading books by just really smart people of religious faith. It's always a really cool perspective. Mallory Ortberg authorbookcircle share on social
The most successful Subway customers, of course, are the ones who can't keep their hands off their sandwich. Join your artist in the sandwich assembling process. That sneeze guard is a suggestion. That sneeze guard is trying to intimidate you into staying on the customer's side of the partition. Mallory Ortberg artistassemblecustomer share on social
With a few exceptions, birds are not to be trusted; it is not normal to have such soft, vulnerable bodies bookended with slashing beaks and razor-sharp claws. It is as unnatural as an armed marshmallow. Mallory Ortberg armbeakbird share on social
I read my first P.G. Wodehouse when I was 12. Mallory Ortberg readwodehouse Change image and share on social