Books of the year, in no particular order.
Glosa Juan José Saer
Balas de Plata Élmer Mendoza
Dietario Voluble Enrique Vila-Matas
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Films of the year, in no particular order
Honourable mentions.
Biggest disappointments.
Most overrated film.
Worst film.
What was the last book you bought?
Dietario Voluble Enrique Vila-Matas
Name a book you have read more than once
I’ve read a lot of books more than once, I’ve even read the entire Maturin-Aubrey series by Patrick O’Brian twice and I don’t discount doing so again in Spanish. I imagine I’ll Juan José Saer’s Glosa more than once again.
Has a book ever fundamentally changed the way you see life? If yes, what was it?
Fundamentally changed, I’m not sure but Menachem Begin’s The Revolt had a big influence on me when I was younger as later had Habermas’s The Philosophical Discourse of Modernity and Sarmiento’s Facundo
How do you choose a book? e.g., by cover design and summary, recommendations or reviews
Reading a bit in the bookshop and recommendations from trusted writers and friends.
Do you prefer fiction or non-fiction?
Too close to call.
What’s more important in a novel – beautiful writing or a gripping plot?
It doesn’t work like that for me. I either “get” a book or I don’t.
Most loved/memorable character
Juan García Madero from Los Detectives Salvajes.
Which book or books can be found on your nightstand at the moment?
I don’t read in bed.
What was the last book you’ve read, and when was it?
Walter Benjamin, Histora de una Amistad by Gershom Scholem
Have you ever given up on a book half way in?
Loads
Via Norm
