Favourites

Favourite Fiction

1984 - George Orwell
Because it's immersive and increasingly relevant.

A Clockwork Orange - Anthony Burgess
Because I loved what it did with language.

Atonement - Ian McEwan
Because the character investment and narrative twist were compelling to the last.

Enduring Love - Ian McEwan
Because it taught me the potential rewards of sticking with a book beyond the first page.

Flying Leap - Judy Budnitz
Because it's fabulously quirky and the prose is inimitable.

Interview with the Vampire - Anne Rice
Because it has compelling and rich characters and narrative.

Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
Because it made me laugh, frown, and cry in public. This is a rare thing for me.

Romeo and Juliet - William Shakespeare
Because it set the bar for stupid things people do for love.

The World's Wife - Carol Ann Duffy
Because it helped me realise how cutting and clever poetry can be.

Trainspotting - Irvine Welsh
Because the language throughout is distinct, each character's voice is unmistakeable. And it helped tae improve mah Scottish accent.

Twelfth Night - William Shakespeare
Because it's hilarious. Easily my favourite Shakey.

Twilight - Stephenie Meyer
Because we all have our bubble-gum-for-the-brain favourites.


Favourite Non-Fiction

The Art of Fiction - David Lodge
Because it's an excellent read as well as educational and highly quotable.

The Art & Craft of Playwriting - Jeffrey Hatcher
Because it taught me all I know in terms of planning, plotting and structure, skills which extended beyond scriptwriting.

New Hart's Rules
Because it's hardbacked, enabling you to beat about the head those who defile the English language with their misuse of grammar and alphabetic arrangements.

Beginning Theory - Peter Barry
Because it contains some excellent teachings in terms of literary history and theory.


Favourite Writers

Amy Herbert
Carol Ann Duffy
Dave Gray
Ian McEwan
Irvine Welsh
Judy Budnitz
Oscar Wilde
William Shakespeare