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So, Umguy in LA passes me the book meme:

One book that changed your life?

Jack Kerouac’s ‘On the Road’. I read this at the right age, 16, and it had an immediate impact. It gave me an urge to explore and a strong sense of the romance of travel. It gave me a love of Jazz; through Kerouac I discovered Charlie Parker and Bebop. In his later books I found Buddhism. Three interests, three passions that have lasted over the decades, thanks Jacky.

One book you have read more than once?

Fyodor Dostoevsky’s ‘Crime and Punishment’ I’ve read two or three times. It’s a supremely well written book, and surprisingly funny as well. All great books are worth reading twice, at the very least.

One book you would want on a desert island?

It would have to be a book to sustain me on the long days, months and years on my own. Nisargadatta Maharaj’s ‘I am That’ is the clearest exposition of the non-dual perspective I have ever read. Being on a desert island would give me the time and place to really understand and live this book. I would then never be lonely. How could I be when all of That is just what I am (oh go and read the book if you think I’m being obscure.)

One book that made you laugh?

William and the Space Animal

One book that made you cry?

Raymond Carver’s short stories make me cry. His writing is so precise, there is no padding, no flab, every word has meaning. The purity of his writing makes me weep.

One book you wish you had written?

Arthur Rimbaud
’s ‘A Season in Hell’. One book I have gone back to again and again and again. Rimbaud was beautiful, wild, heroic, a genius. A young god if there ever was one.

One book you wish had never been written?

The Da Vinchi Code. Don’t get me started

One book you are currently reading?

Justina Robson’s ‘Mappa Mundi’. Justina Robson is my favourite writer so far this year. She’s got me reading SF after a 20 year hiatus. Her heroines are smart, feisty, damaged and immensely cool. Her writing is sharp, intelligent and witty, go read!

One book you've been meaning to read?

Anything by Shakespeare. (yeah, it's shameful I know.)

Now, over to you Hannah and Tim...

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Talking of books, as you were, and looking at your book reading list (which gives no clue) I was wonndering whether you had read any Houellebecq or had any opinions on him. Edgar

martin said...

Hello Edgar, Houellebecq? Hmmm, I don't think I've read anything by him (her?). What do you suggest?

M

Anonymous said...

He's male and I would suggest starting with Elementary Particles (also called Atomised). The only reason I suggest him, is because he reminds me of Burroughs (the dark humour I suppose), and it was you who inspired me to read him in the first place. You may also like his study of HP Lovecraft (you were once a fan of his too if memory serves). P.S.
you were planning on entertaining us with a series of sound files from your rare 45s music collection, starting with the Freshmen in January, but this doen't appear to have eventuated, any in the offing not that I want to appear greedy or anything.

martin said...

ok, I've ordered Atomised and look forward to reading it. Talking of Uncle Bobby, have you seen this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIl7J7gQbKg

The singles, yes, I will post another soon, I have to visit Fred to doing the recording as I've no way of transfering vinyl to MP3.

Anonymous said...

Crikey, what isn't on YouTube these days, viva Web 2.0 etc.

I shall look forward to hearing some music too.