Just over two weeks ago the famous crime writer Elmore
Leonard passed away. I have been a fan of his writing since I was a teenager
and have already read over 30 of his books. I must admit that his death started
me thinking a little more on the kind of books I like to read and my favourite
authors over the years.
I suppose Crime Fiction has been the most popular subject of
my reading experience. When I was younger I managed to read many of the
so-called modern classics, (Slaughterhouse Five, Catch 22, To Kill A
Mockingbird, Concrete Island, Tropic Of Cancer, The Great Gatsby, Tropic Of
Capricorn, The Unbearable Lightness Of Being, The Catcher In The Rye, The
Outsider, Brave New World, The Naked Lunch. On The Road, In Cold Blood) this
list could go on and on but I’m sure you get the picture of my adolescent reading
material. Then I moved onto Crime novels especially Mr Leonard’s then came
George Pelecanos, James Lee Burke, Daniel Woodrell, Jim Thompson, James M.Cain,
James Crumley.
I expect you have noticed that they are all American writers
and this fixation stayed with me as I then read everything by Charles Bukowski,
Paul Auster, Pete Dexter, Raymond Carver, Harry Crews and Tim Gautreaux.
When it comes to British authors I lean towards, Magnus Mills,
Jake Arnott and David Peace. Generally I have a pile of at least six books to
be read and I am in the process of beginning on the Jo Nesbo Harry Hole
detective series as I have read a few of Henning Mankell’s Wallander books and Scandinavian Noir is very popular these
days.
My favourite book is probably Bukowski’s ‘Post Office’, the
best series of books was definitely ‘Games Of Thrones’ and my current read is ‘Yellow
Birds’ a book written about the Iraq War.
Enjoy
