A Tour of My Life via Books
On your nightstand now: A Man With One of Those Faces by Caimh McDonnell. I was in the emergency room (a story for another time) and my attending nurse practitioner recommended this author to me. It’s possibly the only mystery novel I’ve ever read that has me quite literally laughing out loud, not once but many times. The writing is tight and clever, and I’ll probably read more in the series.
Favorite book when you were a child: Before there was J.K. Rowling, there was John Masefield, poet and—children’s author! He wrote a magical book called The Midnight Folk that had me enthralled. It is about a boy, Kay Harker, who sets out to discover what became of a fortune stolen from his seafaring great grandfather. Kay experiences various adventures—sailing on the high seas, swimming with mermaids, flying on broomsticks. At one point in the novel he manages to see into the past, which I found delightful (and may have inspired some of my obsession with grappling with history).
Your top five authors: This can be a moving target, but I’ll give it a go. Phil Rickman is number one. He combines mystery with interesting moral, philosophical, and religious dilemmas in writing that’s both thoughtful and entertaining. G.K. Chesterton, probably the most thoughtful writer ever; I think I’ve always been a little bit in love with him. Gavin Lyall, a true king of thrillers, who’s taught me so much about writing characters and dialogue. And on that note, Mary Stewart, who has influenced my own work more than anyone I’ve ever known, read, or imagined.
Book you've faked reading: Really? Just one? The first was probably Rabelais’ Gargantua and Pantagruel. I was supposed to read it for school, but stopped about 10 pages in because it was what I eloquently called “stupid.” I don’t remember a lot about it, but when called on in class I remember riffing off another student’s observations and apparently convincing the teacher I’d read it.
Book you're an evangelist for: Probably Tana French’s Dublin Murder Squad Series. (Is it okay to say a series?) Absolutely great reading that would appeal to even non-mystery readers.
Book you hid from your parents: Nope. Didn’t happen. My mother in particular encouraged me to read far beyond my age, with some interesting consequences; but there’s nothing they wouldn’t have let me read (though in some instances they insisted on conversations afterward!).
Book that changed your life: Le Petit Matin by Christine de Rivoyre. Not available in English, I’m afraid. The narrator is 17 years old, and I read it at about the same age. It put me firmly in the context of a story similar to that of my family, the German occupation of France, but taught me about overcoming not only hardship but one’s own feelings.
Favorite opening lines from a book: “Two things don’t happen very often in Hillston, North Carolina. We don’t get much snow and we hardly ever murder one another. Suicide is more our style; we’re a polite, college town, and our lives are sheltered by old trees.” (Michael Malone, Uncivil Seasons)
Five books you'll never part with: The Formula by Gordon Sager (fabulous quick-paced novel long out of print); Betty Crocker’s Cooky Book (inherited from my mother); Richard Armour’s The Classics, Reclassified (absolutely hilarious and oddly educational); Aidan Kavanagh’s Elements of Rite (he was my mentor at Yale and it’s a thoroughly sensible book).
Book you most want to read again for the first time: Probably Emile Zola’s Nana, since I remember liking it when I read it as a teenager and have found it difficult and not terribly interesting since then. Sometimes it’s best not to revisit past loves!