The Writers Who Read series continues this week with Aline Ohanesian.
Who are you?
Aline Ohanesian, author of Orhan’s Inheritance (Algonquin Books, April 7, 2015)
What are three beloved books you first read before the age of 12?
My parents weren’t big readers. I remember reading Nancy Drew mysteries because a family friend gave me a boxed set. Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll and The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas were both early favorites.
What is one book you are always recommending to friends and family (and maybe the local barista) as an adult?
I have a few I like to recommend. Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese, A Known World by Edward P Jones and Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides. World’s End by T.C. Boyle. Mudbound by Hillary Jordan. And Three Apples Fell From Heaven by Michelline Aharonian Marcom. I could go on and on but I’m sure the barista probably regrets asking me at this point.
What is your book kryptonite–those unique elements in a book, beyond just great writing and three-dimensional characters, that make you unable to resist reading?
I love historical fiction that is literary, written in multiple points of view.
What is your ideal time and place to read?
Every place, anytime. Reading is my oxygen. I get really blue when I’m not reading.
Which books have had the biggest influence on your writing?
That’s hard to say because I read so much. I admire certain writers more than others. I’d include the books I refer to others, listed above. Zadie Smith, Hilary Mantel, Louise Erdrich, Barbara Kingsolver. I just realized they’re all women. I read men too. I promise.
How do you balance reading and writing in your life?
I probably read three times more than I write. It’s part of the process for me. I write in the early morning and stop around noon or 1 pm. The rest of the day, there’s always a book I can read nearby.
Choose your preferred book form: ebook, physical book, or audio book?
I prefer physical books but do own an iPad and use it when I travel.
Do you consciously plan your future reading–i.e., set book goals, keep a TBR list, participate in book challenges or book clubs? Why or why not?
I don’t do any of that because reading is like breathing. It doesn’t require a whole lot of conscious planning for me. I’m always reading.
What are you reading now?
I just finished Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood. It’s historical, literary and is told from multiple points of view. It was marvelous. I’m going to read The Animals by Christian Kiefer next. I’ve heard such good things about it and we share an agent.
You can find out more about Aline or Orhan’s Inheritance on her website or Twitter.