What kind of books/authors/genre’s do you like reading?
Gillian and Robert both turned their heads to each other, arms crossed as their smiles became wider and wider.
“I think that one is easy for us, isn’t it?”, the white haired woman inquired in a sweet tone.
“Judging by your impressive private collection and that yet I always see you reading the same three books…”
“This is called having favourites, Robert.” She bumped into his waist with her own. He chuckled before returning to the interviewer.
“I simply prefer to have the satisfaction of discovering new thoughts and worlds, and the fascinating universe of literature is exactly what appeases that hunger I have. Furthermore, I used to work in a bookstore before I became this charming CEO I am now. This is where I found my love for the brilliant mind of Thomas Aquinas, someone you should check out his work yourself if you find the time.
Whenever it was quiet in the store and there was not much to do, the owner allowed me to sit down and take a book from the shelves and read it - to me it wasn’t only a pleasant place to work at, but it was technically a library I was paid at. I can’t even pinpoint how many books I have finished in the three years I worked there, but just like today, the scientific, philosophical and science fiction sections where the places to find me if you needed me. While history, the memories of the biggest minds that wandered this Earth offer us a window to the past, they are also timeless as those people where able to make observations of the very essence of humanity and its home and write them down.
Besides the classics like Asimov, Clarke, Gibson - the ones you simply cannot avoid - I found a lot of hidden gems, especially from Asia. It was fascinating to me to see how different cultures approach and view the future. Cixin Liu pleased me the most.
Today, I only find the time to read before I go to bed or while on the road, and then, my habits haven’t changed that much.”
“And sometimes we read together, don’t we?”
“Until you fall asleep, yes.”
“It’s calming. Anyway, it’s my time to answert the same question, pardon me for keeping you waiting. It’s easy to assume that “The Time Wanderers” by the Strugatsky Brothers is my all time favourite, considering the countless times I have read it in my life. I highly recommend the entire Noon Universe. Another classic that has burned itself into my mind is “Oryx and Crake” by Atwood,the world and the way mankind are portrayed there left me thinking for a very long time.
In general, my interest overlap with Robert’s, although I prefer the very hard science fiction niche, literature that is mostly about very abstract visions of the future.”
Gillian narrowed her eyes, as the expression on her face turned more melancholic.
“Sometimes, when the world itself is isolate from you, the worlds created by others is the only escape you can find.”
