Help:Two sentences in You've Got Mail

No.1 "I'm the type of guy who likes to buy his way
into the heart of children who are his relatives."

According to the context,"buy his way into the heart of children" seems to mean "buy gifts for the children".right?Is "buy one's way into the heart of" a phrase?

No.2 Sometimes I wonder about my life. I lead a small life--
Well, small, but valuable. And sometimes I wonder do I do
it because I like it? Or because I haven't been brave? So
much of what I see reminds me of something I read in a
book, when shouldn't it be the other way around? I don't
really want an answer. I just wanna send this cosmic
question out into the void. So, good night, dear void.

I'm not sure of "when shouldn't it be the other way around?".Does it mean that "when can I lead another life"?
Thanks.

[RonBee]

Re:

• "I'm the type of guy who likes to buy his way into the hearts of children who are his relatives."

Yes, it probably means that he buys presents for them.

Re:

• So much of what I see reminds me of something I read in a
  book, when shouldn't it be the other way around?

He means that what he reads in a book should remind him of something he has seen.

:)

[Joe]

[quote="RonBee"]Re:

• "I'm the type of guy who likes to buy his way into the hearts of children who are his relatives."

Yes, it probably means that he buys presents for them.

Thanks.I'm wondering whether it also means that he do it to make the children feel good about him?

[Casiopea]

Originally Posted by You've Got Mail

"I'm the type of guy who likes to buy his way
into the heart of children who are his relatives."

He buys their love. He gives them gifts (money/toys) so that they'll like him.

Originally Posted by You've Got Mail

I lead a small life--
Well, small, but valuable. And sometimes I wonder do I do
it because I like it? Or because I haven't been brave? So
much of what I see reminds me of something I read in a
book, when shouldn't it be the other way around?

A small life means, a humble existence. Nothing exciting and nothing worth writing about.

I haven't been brave means, I haven't lived life to its fullest.

So much of what I see [taking place in the world with other people's lives] reminds me of something I read in a book means, he views other people's lives as adventures and fairytales, things that he could only wish for or read in a book.

When shouldn't it be the other way around? means, when should a humble person's life be considered interesting?

:D

[RonBee]

Originally Posted by Joe

Thanks.I'm wondering whether it also means that he do it to make the children feel good about him?

Yes, that's exactly it.

:D