Penguin (re-issue edition,) January 2014
Today, Matt talks about the book that has made the most impact on him.
I owe my entire writing career to High Fidelity. While I’d known I wanted to be a writer since my teens, it wasn’t until I read this brilliant book that I knew that was what I wanted to write. Of course, actually writing that would have been pointless (mainly because Nick Hornby had already written it), but I reasoned that surely something like it wouldn’t be a bad thing to aim for, so I sat down at my desk and gave it a go. Eight novels later, I’m still trying to match his breathtakingly spare prose, skilfully-crafted set-pieces, wonderfully-drawn characters, and – most importantly – laugh-out-loud humour. It’s not a long book – perhaps the author was mindful of the old showbiz maxim of ‘always leave them wanting more’ – but as far as I’m concerned, it’s as close to perfection in a novel as you can get.
by I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.
I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.
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