Simon Dilworth 🔖 answers thirteen questions in Booker's Dozen.

TPQ: What are you currently reading?

SD: I am currently enjoying The International by Glenn Patterson. 

TPQ: Best and worst books you have ever read?

SD: Having worked as a barman in a hotel during "The Troubles" I can relate to much of what is happening. I read a lot, so I know what I like and therefore avoid. I was underwhelmed by Friedo Lampe's At The Edge Of The Night. Among my favourite books are the poems of Paulin, Durcan, Longley, Muldoon and Hewitt. 

TPQ: Book most cherished as a child?

SD: My favourite book as a child was - and still is - The Know How Book of Spycraft. This piqued my interest in all things espionage which continues to this day. 

TPQ: Favourite Childhood author?

SD: My favourite author as a child was Enid Blyton. I devoured all the Famous Five and couldn't understand why when I went exploring I never found any smugglers or hidden caves.

TPQ: First book to really own you?

SD: I guess the first book to own me was the Faber Book Of Irish Verse


TPQ: Favourite male and female author?

SD: My favourite male author has to be George Orwell: female - Linda Grant. And poets of both sexes too numerous to mention.

TPQ: A preference for fact or fiction?

SD: I enjoy both fact and fiction, but I don't read fantasy or science fiction. 

TPQ: Biography, autobiography or memoir that most impressed you?

SD: I'm not big into biographies but Quincy Troupe's Miles (Davis) was unputdownable. And like every Dylan fan I found Chronicles Vol 1 a revelation. I hope Vol 2 isn't far away. 

TPQ: Any author or book you point blank refuse to read?

SD: I refuse to read anything by Tony Blair ... and I'll reach for the remote should he dare appear on my TV.

TPQ: A book to share with somebody so that they would more fully understand you?

SD: I suppose The Writing and Drawings of Bob Dylan might offer some insight into how my mind works.

Book Benches In Bulgaria
TPQ: Last book you gave as a present?

SD:  I recently gave my cousin a copy of Staying Alive - an anthology of poems published by Bloodaxe ...  and I gave my son's girlfriend Watchmen by Alan Moore. I think the former was more impressed than the latter. 

TPQ: Book you would most like to see turned into a movie?

SD: Could Holywood be trusted with a big screen blockbuster of the Tain Bo Cuailnge? And could cinema goers cope with the bloody slaughter and such a high body count?

TPQ: The just must - select one book you simply have to read before you close the final page on life.

SD: I suppose I should read The Iliad and The Odyssey before cooling but I have an attic heaving with other stuff.

Simon Dilworth is a book collector / seller living in Dungannon, and a father of three.

Booker's Dozen @ Simon Dilworth

Simon Dilworth 🔖 answers thirteen questions in Booker's Dozen.

TPQ: What are you currently reading?

SD: I am currently enjoying The International by Glenn Patterson. 

TPQ: Best and worst books you have ever read?

SD: Having worked as a barman in a hotel during "The Troubles" I can relate to much of what is happening. I read a lot, so I know what I like and therefore avoid. I was underwhelmed by Friedo Lampe's At The Edge Of The Night. Among my favourite books are the poems of Paulin, Durcan, Longley, Muldoon and Hewitt. 

TPQ: Book most cherished as a child?

SD: My favourite book as a child was - and still is - The Know How Book of Spycraft. This piqued my interest in all things espionage which continues to this day. 

TPQ: Favourite Childhood author?

SD: My favourite author as a child was Enid Blyton. I devoured all the Famous Five and couldn't understand why when I went exploring I never found any smugglers or hidden caves.

TPQ: First book to really own you?

SD: I guess the first book to own me was the Faber Book Of Irish Verse


TPQ: Favourite male and female author?

SD: My favourite male author has to be George Orwell: female - Linda Grant. And poets of both sexes too numerous to mention.

TPQ: A preference for fact or fiction?

SD: I enjoy both fact and fiction, but I don't read fantasy or science fiction. 

TPQ: Biography, autobiography or memoir that most impressed you?

SD: I'm not big into biographies but Quincy Troupe's Miles (Davis) was unputdownable. And like every Dylan fan I found Chronicles Vol 1 a revelation. I hope Vol 2 isn't far away. 

TPQ: Any author or book you point blank refuse to read?

SD: I refuse to read anything by Tony Blair ... and I'll reach for the remote should he dare appear on my TV.

TPQ: A book to share with somebody so that they would more fully understand you?

SD: I suppose The Writing and Drawings of Bob Dylan might offer some insight into how my mind works.

Book Benches In Bulgaria
TPQ: Last book you gave as a present?

SD:  I recently gave my cousin a copy of Staying Alive - an anthology of poems published by Bloodaxe ...  and I gave my son's girlfriend Watchmen by Alan Moore. I think the former was more impressed than the latter. 

TPQ: Book you would most like to see turned into a movie?

SD: Could Holywood be trusted with a big screen blockbuster of the Tain Bo Cuailnge? And could cinema goers cope with the bloody slaughter and such a high body count?

TPQ: The just must - select one book you simply have to read before you close the final page on life.

SD: I suppose I should read The Iliad and The Odyssey before cooling but I have an attic heaving with other stuff.

Simon Dilworth is a book collector / seller living in Dungannon, and a father of three.

1 comment:

  1. Simon - thanks for this. I have a shared like of Orwell.
    There was a great review on the blog by Michael Praetorious which you might enjoy.
    Loved your Tony Blair quip.

    ReplyDelete