BEST AUTHOR BEST : GRAHAM NORTON

 

'' I am very comfortable with the level of recognition I have for my books,'' says the BBC talk show host.

.-  What's the best book you read that made you laugh?

Very little makes me laugh. I would say the one exception is anything by David Sedaris. I've more of an involuntary snort than a laugh, but it's something.

.-  The last book you read that made you cry?

Crying, on the other hand, I do all the time.  Probably the most recent boohooing was while reading '' Our Evenings,'' by Alan Hollinghurst.  The title alone is enough to bring a tear to my eyes.

.-  What's your favorite book no else has heard of?

Few people have heard of this : '' A Gentle Murder, '' by Salisbury Davis. She was a successful American crime writer of late '50s right up to the 70s.' Much of her work is now out of print. It is odd and something and unlike anything being written today.

.-  A few years back a Guardian critic called your novels '' undemanding. '' What do you say to that?

I'm not decided. I do understand that the word was being used in a dismissive way, but it didn't bother me. The way I look at it is that the only demand I make of my reader is that they be able to read, and if they opt for the audio book, not even that.

Then it is my job to do the heavy lifting. I need to ensure the plot is sufficiently interesting, and the characters are engaging, as pure entertainment, but then that is because I see my books as pure entertainment.

Now if all books were purely that, the world would be much poorer place, but I'm very comfortable with the level of ambition I would have for my books.

.-  What's the last great book you read?

Rather than tormenting myself over what that word might mean, I'll give the two books I would happily recommend to anyone. '' Kindred ,'' by by Mavia Butler, and '' Tomorrow, and Tomorrow and Tomorrow.'' by Gabrielle Zevin.

The Publishing continues to Part [2]. The World Students Society thanks The New York Times.