June 3rd 2024.
For acclaimed author Chris Brookmyre, the world of literature has always been a colorful and anarchic one. In fact, his first memory of reading was a book that embodied both these qualities - Asterix in Britain. As a child, Chris was drawn to the vibrant and chaotic cover of the book, which was always in high demand during reading time in Primary Three. Little did he know, this quirky comic would stay with him throughout his childhood and teenage years, shaping his understanding of ancient history in a unique way.
Now, as an established author, Chris loves recommending books to others. One of his go-to recommendations is Swing, Hammer Swing! by Jeff Torrington. To Chris, this novel encapsulates the true essence of Glasgow - it's like a 400-page long Billy Connolly routine that will leave you in stitches. Set in the 1960s Gorbals, the book follows a man as he revisits his old stomping grounds, only to find that they are being demolished. It's a hilarious and heartwarming read that Chris believes everyone should experience.
As for the best books he's read in the past year, Chris has a few favorites. Fall, or Dodge In Hell by Neal Stephenson is a sprawling and thought-provoking tale about a digitally created afterlife and the struggle for control over it. Blood Like Mine by Stuart Neville is a tense thriller that also explores the lengths a mother would go to protect her daughter, who has stopped aging due to certain appetites. And lastly, Oh, Brother by John Niven is a deeply personal and moving memoir about the author's journey to come to terms with the death of his younger brother.
Despite his love for books, there is one thing Chris is reluctant to do - criticize the work of other authors. He knows firsthand the effort and dedication it takes to write a book and respects the hard work that goes into it.
When it comes to inspiration, the late Iain Banks holds a special place in Chris' heart. In his adolescence, reading Banks' work opened Chris' eyes to the possibilities of Scottish fiction and gave him the courage to write stories that were often twisted and unconventional. Although they say you should never meet your heroes, Chris was lucky enough to get to know Iain personally and found him just as inspiring in real life as he was on the page.
And when it comes to Chris' favorite place to read, it's a simple but luxurious choice - somewhere sunny, by a swimming pool, and in the shade. After spending long hours writing in the unpredictable Scottish weather, there's nothing better than relaxing in the sun and enjoying the work of others.
Speaking of work, Chris has a new book coming out in July titled The Cracked Mirror. In the meantime, he recommends checking out Voices of the Dead by Amberose Parry, which will be released in paperback in June. For more book news, be sure to subscribe to Scottish Field and keep up with the latest in literature.
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