Rob’s Reader of the Week: Stewart McAbney
June 1, 2009 by Rob
Filed under Rob's Reader of the Week
Rob’s Intro: As anyone who reads RobAroundBooks would know, I have a bit of a thing for world literature, but my enthusiasm pales into insignificance when put next to the passion that this week’s featured Reader of the Week shows for it.
I first met Stewart McAbney on the superb World Literature Forum (a creation of the grand meister himself) and I was instantly drawn, both by Stewart’s love for the written word, and his incredible knowledge of it. Here is a reader who has invested a lot of time in broadening his reading horizons, and through his many insightful posts on the forum, his own blog, Twitter, and even on RobAroundBooks on occasion, it clearly shows.
One won’t find Stewart reading too many mainstream titles, because the last thing Stewart is, is mainstream. And that’s why I have the utmost respect and admiration for him, because he has done something for me that not too many fellow readers have done – he’s enlightened me! He’s brought to my attention so many works that I’ve never heard of, works that through his zealous recommendation I cannot help but be enthused by.
So it’s bring me great honour in bringing one of the true bastions of the lit blogging world to the humble pages of RobAroundBooks this week, and I hope you enjoy Stewart’s interview as much as I did compiling it. Over to you Stewart:
I live in Glasgow, work full-time, study part-time, and still find time to read all manner of literature. In addition to my blog, I also run World Literature Forum. When not reading I’m usually found taking part in other hobbies, namely photography, gigging, and pub quizzes.
1. Favourite Genre? I don’t have a favourite genre and I don’t tend to think in terms of it at all. In fact, I would rather books were never classed in terms of genre. In book shops I would always prefer to see a blanket A to Z method of organisation, where Amis and Asimov sit together, all the way through to Zola and Zelazny. Not because I would read them all, but because I think separating books narrows readers’ horizons. Bundling everything together means those browsing shelves can come across books they may never happen upon if they are tucked away under one category or the other.
2. Favourite Book? It’s a strange person who can narrow such things down to a single book, and I’m no different here, in that I have several favourites Here’s five: Foucault’s Pendulum by Umberto Eco, If On A Winter’s Night A Traveler by Italo Calvino, The Invention Of Morel by Adolfo Bioy Casares, Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates, and The Remains Of The Day by Kazuo Ishiguro.
3. Why do you love reading so much? I enjoy reading for many reasons, but it really depends on what’s being read. Diversity would be the best reason, in that there’s so many books out there, with so many people writing them from all walks of life, and in so many different styles, that it gives a huge flavour of the world. It’s interesting to see others’ takes on what constitutes a novel.
4. Favourite reading place? I don’t think there is such a thing as a favourite reading place. I read everywhere: bed, bus, bath – it makes no difference.
5. How BIG is your reading addiction? I read a lot, when and where I can. It’s not an addiction though, it’s a hobby. The true addiction is in discovering and acquiring books. I’ve got enough books to realistically keep me going for the next fifteen to twenty years, yet I still buy more.
6. How do you normally add books to your collection? Many ways. Book stores, high street and online. Charity stores. Online auctions and marketplaces. I also get the occasional review copy.
7. How do you decide what to read? It’s simply a case of whatever takes my fancy at the time. Even then, I start more books than I finish. Some prize shortlists interest me – the Booker and Independent Foreign Fiction Prize – and the output of certain publishers is always a must (Penguin Modern Classics, Pushkin Press, and NYRB Classics spring to mind). The best, though, is the author who you’ve never heard of and you give a chance.
8. Ebooks – love or hate? Hate is perhaps too strong, but I’m quite dismissive of them. I’m a traditionalist when it comes to books. They are not just about the words, but about the complete product: cover design, typesetting, and the tactile pleasure of just turning a page. Ebooks – be it downloadable PDFs or via electronic readers – just can’t do that. The technology is trying to imitate books rather than innovate, and it’s innovation that’s needed if we are going to turn our backs on books.
9. Has reading inspired you to do any serious writing yourself? I do try to write in snatched moments. I’ve been doing so, on and off, for about twenty years, since I was ten.
10. What single piece of advice (or tip) would you give to fellow readers? Don’t stick to comfort zones when choosing your next book. Doing so perpetuates an interest in the same old stuff. Take a risk on something you’ve never heard of or something you’d never consider reading. There’s a world of books out there, so get out and see the world.
Stewart, I’d like to thank you for giving up some of your valuable time in order to speak with me, and I’d like to wish you continued success in everything you do.
So that was Stewart. A remarkably insightful reader I’m sure you’ll agree. Remember you can always follow his reading progress on his own blog, and on Twitter. And if you have an interest in world literature then The World Literature Forum is unmissable. Aside from it being run by Stewart it’s a great place to visit to catch up on news and views on some of the greatest works of world fiction. The community as a whole is amazingly knowledgeable, and I despise every one of them for being so clever.
So who’s in the booklight next week? Well it could be one of two readers. I haven’t decided. So for now it’s a surprise.
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Rob, a self-confessed bibliophile, is without any hope of rehabilitation. He gets unnaturally excited over anything book-shaped, and if book sniffing were a crime then he would have been locked up years ago (which wouldn't bother him in the slightest provided his cell were lined with books)
I especially like the first point about the genres. I’d never really thought about it, but it’s true. If I had all the books in the bookstore thrown together, I’d have a lot more random finds. Then again, it would be a lot harder to pinpoint specific books in the ever-reaching stacks… Still, then another pro: books that span across different, almost contradictory genres would have proper, established places. I’m all for it.
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Rob, thanks for featuring Stewart. I have been a constant lurker of his blog, and his was one of the very first few I stumbled onto. I do love the obscurity of the books he reads. Never fails to give recommendations of titles I’ve never heard of elsewhere.
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CLAIRE! SO GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU! How ya been?
I absolutely concur with you on Stewart. He’s pointed me to more than a few good titles too, and as he’s the founder and owner of the World Literature Forum, I owe him for the opportunity of ‘getting close’ to two of my favourite contemporary Italian authors.
Anyway great to hear from you Claire. As soon as I hit ’submit comment’ I’m coming over for a snoop on your site
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Warmest
Rob
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