Clementi - the beginning. Yes, that's where I was living when I really got into books, well adult books anyway. So much so that I was sourcing money from places that were not entirely mine to source from. But that's a story for another time, and a part of growing up that I reflect on with mixed feelings. I regret things I have done that have caused hurt to people, however, the things that I have done are what make me the man that I am today. So given the lessons learned still resound within me significantly, I think it's fair to say that the journey was worth it. The ends often do justify the means. But only if you make the means mean something.
Right, enough self-absorption. Here are four other authors that have really influenced me and my book-buying and reading habits over the years:
Bill Bryson - Notes From A Small Island
This was not even the first book by Bryson that I read - that book was his famous Short History popular science book (that wasn't even a genre when I was a kid, but it's a pretty cool one now, and gives the general public access to science without having to read papers, journals, textbooks etc). But this was his first travel journal book that I got into, and was instantly hooked. His wit, wonderful sense of humour, and ability to convey satire in the written word make all his stories wonderful to read. I have gone through all of his other travel books with gusto since. One or two other tomes have sometimes been a little long-winded, such as the At Home book, although it was still very interesting. But for a long while, I absolutely adored everything BB put out. Plus I think his style has influenced my own story-telling, in a way to make it a bit more interesting and enjoyable for others to consume.
Simon Winchester - Krakatoa
This book was an absolute cracker. My first SW book, and one close to my heart - due to it both being an awesome volcano story, plus the story of the first volcano I ever visited. Winchester is adept at digging right into the back-story behind anything, and portrays the events and subsequent scientific breakthroughs that resulted in a fascinating manner. Occasionally (not in this book but a couple of others) he can be a little long-winded, but most of his works are superb - in fact it was a close decision between this book and Outposts for the one to talk about here. Outposts is a description of his attempts to visit all remaining aspects of the British Empire. Given my own colonial outpost roots, that struck a chord with me too, and I absolutely love that book. So much so that I am on my third copy of it - I have lent it out twice and never received it back!
Clive Cussler - Raise The Titanic
Cussler is like one of those science fiction movie android characters that lose the plot after initially being amazing and inspiring members of the team. Maybe that's a bit harsh, but I have stopped buying his novels now, because I just can't keep up. In the old days, everything Dirk Pitt was fantastic - he was a Bond-esque character who simply couldn't be beaten, and had some truly remarkable adventures. I LOVED all his Dirk Pitt novels. This one here is one hell of a tale and I truly recommend it. Cussler now has God only knows how many different characters and series going on, including Son of Pitt, and frankly I think he's kind of running out of ideas. His books today are kind of like most action blockbusters today - all about the jaw-dropping action sequences and effects and less about the story. So he's kind of lost me a bit. But fear not, this man has written over a hundred (well over) novels, and ALL the early Dirk Pitt ones are worth reading. You can find a worn copy of just about any of them at any decent secondhand bookstore. In fact I may well go check one out soon myself!
Stephen King - It
The experience I had with It was awesome. Awesome because it was the first King book I read, and once I had finished it, I was totally enamoured with King and his style. It was a superb coming of age story mixed with horror and mystery. The awesomeness was because I swiftly realised that I was late to the scene and that there was a shitload more King novels for me to get into! I reckon I spent a good couple of years going through them all. I also loved the fact he mixed novels with anthologies of short stories too. I put off The Stand until last, just because it was so big. But after seeing and loving the telemovie, I finally read it, and was gobsmacked at how good it was. King was another one of those authors who IMHO lost their way after their early years, and produced some fairly average work for a while. But he has hit a couple of home runs recently, and I believe this is because he has gone back to his roots, old style of writing, and true King story-telling. I look forward to reading his latest work, The Institute, soon.
Honourable mention to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Tolkien. Both produced truly incredible works of writing that I loved both as a child and adult. I guess it would be remiss of me not to mention my early reading interests too, in my childhood days. Enid Blyton and Franklin W Dixon, the former for the amazing Secret 7 and Famous 5, and the latter for the Hardy Boys. I read them all, over and over again. Lastly, I'd like to mention Matthew Reilly. Like some of the others, his early works were truly amazing, as are his stand-alone books. Some of the series almost descend into nonsense frankly, which is why he's not quite in the same realm as the others. But if you like a good fast-paced novel of highly imaginative story-telling, Contest, Temple, The Tournament and The Great Zoo of China, are superb reads.
Honestly, there are so many other great books out there. The Martian, Ready Player One and the novel of Jurassic Park from years ago, are all magnificent reads. I guess I wanted to portray here the authors I have mainly stuck with over the years. I'll go through the books I have left sooner or later, and will probably add to this list.
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