The carpenter places his hands on the desk, feeling the wood. He’s finished bolting metal plates to the inside of the wood; it has enough armor to stop a pistol-shot, and stands more than sturdy enough to hold a safe.

Of Sea and Shadow - Will Wight

Not SF, fantasy. Still a good read so far, first dozen pages that I've read at least.

There was counseling for that, but he didn't think it was a good career move to take advantage of it.

Daniel Suarez' Kill Decision. Near the beginning. It's not quite grabbing me like Daemon and Freedom did, but I thought this line was some neat world building.

‘It is a flaw,’ he continued, ‘to view mortals and gods as if they were on opposite sides. A flaw. An error most fundamental. Because then, when the blade comes down, why, they are for ever lost to each other. Now, does she understand? Possibly, but if so, then she terrifies me—for such wisdom seems almost . . . inhuman.’ He shook himself and leaned back, withdrawing his arms from the sand.

She stared, curious and wondering at the weapons he held—only to find he held none. And that his hands, the hue of rust, gleamed as if polished.

He held them up. ‘Expected green, did you? Green jade, yes, and glowing. But not this time, not for this, oh no. Are they ready? Ready to grasp that most deadly weapon? I think not.’

And down went those hands, plunging into the sands once more.

Malazan, book 9. Making slow progress -- keep being distracted by vide games ;)

‘Joshua, you are fun to know, and a good companion, reliable and all that, even if you are a little bit weird. Someday we might be friends,’ she said a bit more gently. ‘But please don’t make comments about my legs. You’ve seen very little of my legs since most of the time they are inside premium grade thorn-proof battledress. And it’s naughty to guess, OK?’

• The Long Earth By Stephen Baxter & Terry Pratchett