How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
Before Randy ate he would shower and shave. These were painful luxuries, almost his only remnant of routine from before The Day. (8.1)
Randy holds on to some small rituals that connect him to the world he left behind, even if they're more trouble than they're worth. Shaving is a great example. Sure, he might be forced to use a giant hunting knife because it's the only thing sharp enough to do the job, but it helps keep him sane and grounded despite all of these massive changes.
Quote #8
Now all this was ended. All entertainment, all amusements, all escape, all information again centered in the library. (8.63)
This is every librarian's dream. With the host of modern entertainment appliances wiped out in one fell swoop, reading is the only thing you can do besides going fishing and feeling hungry. And just imagine if this book had been written when smartphones were around.
Quote #9
Jim Hickey [...] learned beekeeping at the College of Agriculture in Gainesville. It would never make him rich, he had been warned [...] Now he was regarded as a fortunate man, rich in highly desirable commodities. (8.125)
It might sound crazy, but that hipster friend of yours who's really into urban beekeeping and homebrewing beer is well-positioned to survive a full-on societal breakdown. Not all hipster skills pay off, however. Pickling vegetables? Super useful. Grooming your mustache into the shape of a cat? Probably not.