My reading matter is greatly infuenced by my dad. Growing up I was very much in to science fiction (Asimov, Clarke). As I grew older, though, I started reading works by authors like PG Wodehouse, Wilbur Smith, Bernard Cornwell and the like – all amongst my father’s favourite authors. Wodehouse is my all time favourite.
I do read a range of things he wouldn’t touch: Hunter S. Thompson, Jeff Lindsay and detective stories.
In short, I read pretty much anything as long as it’s enjoyable. If I don’t get in to a book by about a third of the way through, I don;t bother with the rest.
I can’t say my choice of reading matter has affected my career. I started out as a biochemist and now work on old buildings. I greatly enjoy my work, and I do read historical fiction, but there the cross over ends.
