The Writers Who Read series continues this week with Jason M. Hough.
Who are you?
I’m Jason M. Hough, author of ZERO WORLD and THE DARWIN ELEVATOR.
Which book or series was your gateway into the world of reading?
The first book I can remember picking up on my own and enjoying was Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks, back in the mid-80’s. Right around that time I also read Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. Clarke, and let’s just say I was off to the races with both Fantasy and Sci-fi.
Nowadays, what makes you crack open a book instead of pressing play on your favorite Netflix show?
To be honest I’m not that much of a purist when it comes to reading versus other mediums. I enjoy books, television, movies, games, and everything in between. I try to keep pretty well-rounded on all these, so I’m always switching between them. I read for work a lot, as editors send me books to possibly provide a cover quote for. My kids, who are quite young, prevent me from getting much time to actually sit and read for pleasure these days, however, so I listen to audiobooks whenever I’m driving or doing chores.
Which authors are auto-buys for you? Why?
Guy Gavriel Kay is, I think, the only author I auto-buy. I just love losing myself in his stories, his language, and his characters. There have been other authors who have come and gone from this auto-buy category, but Guy is the one who has been there consistently since I read The Summer Tree back in 1989 or so.
What is your book kryptonite–those unique settings, tropes, or character types that make you unable to resist reading?
Isn’t kryptonite the thing Superman wants to avoid at all costs? Sorry, I’m being pedantic! I think you mean something more like catnip. My reading is all over the map, so I don’t think there’s a specific thing I’m drawn to. As long as something is well-paced and unpredictable, it doesn’t really matter to me what the genre or setting is.
What is your ideal time and place to read?
Oh, I wish I had such luxury! Before kids it would be just before bed, in a comfy-but-not-too-comfy chair. Now, I think listening to an audiobook while taking the dog for a walk is the best reading time I get.
Are you a re-reader? Why or why not?
Not too much. Mostly because I just don’t have time. As an author I keep meeting other authors, and always want to read at least one thing by them. Which these days means I’m often reading the first book in some series before I have to move on to someone else. Re-reading the same book? I only do that occasionally, usually for research or just for the comfort. It’s a rare treat when it happens!
Which books have had the biggest influence on your writing?
I suppose I have to say John Scalzi’s Old Man’s War, because it’s what got me back into sci-fi and made me want to write. However I think everything I read influences me to some extent.
What makes a book a satisfying read for you?
There’s lots of things. A great setting or world, great dialog, a clever mechanic. But the one consistent thing for me is pace.
What are you reading right now?
I’m reading Dead Things by Stephen Blackmoore, and Twelve Kings in Sharakhai by Bradley Beaulieu, both of which are excellent!
Thanks for having me on the blog!
Jason M. Hough (pronounced ‘Huff’) is the New York Times bestselling author of The Dire Earth Cycle and the futuristic thriller Zero World. In a former life he was a 3D artist, animator, and game designer. He has also worked in the fields of high-performance cluster computing and machine learning.
Web: http://www.jasonhough.com
Twitter: @JasonMHough
Books: http://www.jasonhough.com/books/index.html