Reader’s Spot – Meet Kevin, a fan of #histfic and #biographies

The ‘Reader’s Spot’ feature shares the bookish love of our readers, from young adult to romance, chick-lit to murder mystery.  We look at where they shop, why they read a specific genre, and where to find them on social media.  Whether you are a reader looking for new books, or a writer wondering what your readers want, I hope you find this series enjoyable.

If you are an avid reader and would like to be included in this feature, then please use the ‘say hello’ page to send me a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Next up to the Reader’s Spot is Company Chairman, Kevin.  I must add to that brief bio that he also goes by the name ‘Big Kev’, a term of endearment from his much shorter cycling friends, and by his other name, ‘Dad’. Yes, the handsome chap who bears a close resemblance to Sean Connery is in fact my dear ole’ dad.

When I told my parents about the Reader’s Spot feature I was starting on my blog, the first thing my dad said was, ‘what’s a blog?’  After a lengthy explanation about online communities and blogging platforms he asked if he could do the interview. ‘Of course.’ I said. ‘I’ll email you the questions and you can copy and paste your answers into the return email.’  As his eyes glazed over I thought I might have pushed the whole ‘computer’ thing too far and I honestly didn’t think he would manage to get this done.  However, he proved me wrong and here it is, an online debut.  Who’d have thought it!

1.   What genre do you enjoy reading?

Had to look up the word ‘genre’, thought it might be a Jamie Oliver recipe!  I enjoy reading anything related to the time of the Roman Empire, mainly fiction but skilfully researched so the times are fact based.  I would roll this across to the time of the ‘barbarians’ e.g., Genghis Khan, Attila the Hun, etc.  That said, I do read anything related to my chosen sport of cycling, mainly biographies.  I also enjoy a good sci-fi read – remember the ‘Dune’ trilogy?  I’ve just read ‘The Martian’, now out as a film, but it can’t be as good as the book.

2. Do you have a favourite author in this genre?

It’s got to be Conn Iggulden on the Roman and Barbarian bit.  Then it’s every author of each of the cycling books, which is basically all ex-pros who tell it as it was. (http://www.conniggulden.com/)

3. How do you prefer to read your books?

There is only one way to read a book – paper!!  I don’t have a preference between hardback and paperback.  If the Lord had wished me to read electronically then he would have installed batteries somewhere IN my body!

4. Where do you purchase your books?

Waterstones, airports and sometimes discount bookstores, I’ve found many a good book at The Works for example.

5. Where do you find out about the books you read?

I don’t look for books, if I see them and like the look of them then that’s when I buy.

6. Do you have a budget when buying books?  Do you stick to it if you do?

No budget, and therefore no need to stick to one.  I do go for the 2 for 1 offers in airports though.

7. Do you write a review when you’ve finished reading?  If so, where do you post this?

Review? Me? You are joking, I might offer a verbal recommendation.  What’s a ‘post’?

8. What do you look for in a book?

Good fiction – I read the back fly cover, then I read the last two pages to see how it ends.  It keeps the suspense down to manageable levels.

9. Where do you like to read?

I read most of the fiction novels on holiday at the beach.  The rest gets read as soon as I buy it, I very rarely read in bed.

10. What social media platforms are you active on?

The scourge of modern living.  I am happy to inform you that I am totally INACTIVE on this.  Warming to the theme however, you are talking to someone who grieves for the loss of the written word, ie: paper.  I was dragged kicking and screaming into the world of emails for business purposes.  I do subscribe to the mobile phone, which I believe should have been left just like that – a ‘phone’.  I still mourn the passing of my Nokia 6310 but admit to having four in my desk draw!  Don’t get me started on the phones of today.

If you would like to join Kevin on the Reader’s Spot then please get in touch and share your love of books with the world.  Thanks for reading