As you may have guessed from the name, I'm an avid reader with pretty eclectic tastes - everything from popular science, sociology and psychology to sci-fi/fantasy to crime noir, and I love most childrens books - if they are well written! I like to talk, and to listen...I like watching documentaries and natural history programs, and have a dislike which almost amounts to a phobia of 'reality' TV programs. I like cooking and eating good food, drinking the odd glass of wine and walking in the countryside, though the canalside will do at a pinch! I'd like to think I'm open and curious about life, someone who loves to laugh, with an appreciation of the absurd and a liberal attitude to life.

Well, I have my ideal job - I'm a bookseller, so I get to talk books all day with customers, colleagues and reps! Trouble is, it's too tempting to spend most of my wages in the shop - but I'm trying to be good... Besides work, I have a circle of good friends and am close to my family - I love to throw a party every now and again where I can feed everyone simple but nice food with cocktails - this makes me happy. Watching great movies is always a pleasure.

*sigh* recommending books...well, I should be! I like cooking - I have no plans to apply for Masterchef, but I do a mean roast lamb dinner! Surprisingly good (some would say it's pure stubborness) at putting together flat pack shelving...

is the book in front of my face - I have radar and can read while walking fairly fast!

Terry Pratchett, China Mieville and Neil Gaiman would all be favourite authors - but then where do I list Georgette Heyer, Bill Bryson and Suzanne Collins? Tough call... Bladerunner is still a great film, but I also love The Dead, based on a Joyce short story. Guilty pleasure? The Gilmore Girls boxed sets! Music I love - Nick Cave, The Pixies, Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, Nick Drake, Elbow, Florence + the Machine... There are very few foods I won't try - if you can show me a culture somewhere on the earth that genuinely thinks this foodstuff is delicious, I'm willing to give it a shot! Not Marrowfat peas though - anything that needs to be soaked with a tablet gets the thumbs down! So far, love French, Italian, Spanish, Indian, Thai, sushi, Mexican...and, eh, Irish.

A book in my bag. The papers at the weekend. Good coffee. The smell of the sea on a sunny morning. Cherry tomatoes. Tea.

Life, the universe and everything! oh, and the number 42, of course! also, what I might read/eat next...

Going to a movie with friends...or working...or hanging at home with a book...watching Battlestar Galactica on boxed set...meeting friends for a drink...

I know I said I hate 'reality' TV shows, but I'm sort of addicted to Come dine with me...yes, I know it's shameful.

you like to discuss serious issues but also find life absurd and funny; if you like to talk but are also interested in what others have to say, and if you are just curious and interested in the world around you, and want to talk about it...and about everything else like foodmoviesbooksthestateofyerwan...