For my latest blog, I decided to take some inspiration from a radio show/podcast called ‘Tracks of My Years’ and take a bookish spin on it. The below list is not of my favourite books of all time (although some may fit into that category), but more the books that shaped me throughout my life and, perhaps, helped me as an author.
1 – MEG & MOG
It may not be the first book I ever read, but I remember this from my early primary school years. Alongside the Mr Men books, this was the first series that really captured my young imagination. I had great joy in purchasing some of the books from the series for my own children and remember this cover particularly well. Perhaps it’s because I was born on Hallowe’en that it has stayed with me.
2 – ALFRED HITCHCOCK & THE THREE INVESTIGATORS
My earlist memory of independent reading and trips to the local library to get these books out. It may have been the catalyst to my love of crime and investigation stories and I loved these more than the more famous Enid Blyton novels. I remember the cover of this one and having it by my bedside to read before I headed off to sleep.
3 – THE SECRET DIARY OF ADRIAN MOLE
I read the first two novels in the series as an early teenager and giggled at the humour throughout. They were then made into a TV series that heightened my enjoyment of them. In recent years, I re-read them and continued with the series, with only the final instalment being savoured for a later date. As enjoyable now, as an adult, as they were back in the 1980’s.
4 – THE FOG
In my mid-teens I started to read the horror novels that were left lying around by my older brothers, but it was James Herbert, rather than the more popular Stephen King, that grabbed my attention. I would read many of his novels, including the Rats trilogy and The Magic Cottage, but it was The Fog that I enjoyed most. Having recently re-read it, it still stands up with the great horror novels, albeit, very much of its time. Not to be confused with the film which had nothing to do with this novel.
5 – TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
When I was reading more, I asked one of my brothers to recommend a ‘grown up book’. Unfortunately, I was too young to get very far with my first attempt at reading this, although I would go on to study the book in high school and it was the stand out of all the books I was made to read in those years. I can admit, unlike many writers, I was not devouring books throughout my school years, my interests lay in the outside world of football and bike rides, but sometimes its hard to ignore a genuine classic, even if your mind was elsewhere.
6 – THE GREEN MILE
I was working in a bank in the city centre of Glasgow when Stephen King released a new serial of what would be 6 short books. I had read a few of his novels at this point, but I was captivated by this story from the very beginning. I feel sad that I no longer own my original copies of the six books, as I had great memories of reading them and sharing them with a colleague at the time. It would also be made into one of the better Stephen King movie adaptations, unlike Thinner which I had previously enjoyed reading.
7 – ALONG CAME A SPIDER
My first real foray into crime fiction came through the first Alex Cross novel. I was gripped by the story and the format of the short chapter novel. I would become a little obsessed with his novels and would buy the new books in hardback as soon as they came out, even meeting him at a book launch once to get my latest copy signed. It was a shame that his success led to a ridiculous amount of releases, and a dilution into being unable to know how much of a book was written by him or his array of co-authors. Although I don’t read him now, I still have respect for the author that brought me to the genre.
8 – LABOUR OF HERCULES
A rather strange place to start my Agatha Christie love and obsession. Not high on the list of her great novels, but during this time I was watching the David Suchet adaptations and loving the characters and stories. I still have many of her novels still to read, but there will always be a place in my heart for the first one. I even have the Penguin edition tea towel of this novel.
9 – ANY HUMAN HEART
With the greatest respect to Dame Agatha, I have to state that William Boyd is my favourite writer. I was introduced to him by my good friend, test reader and writing brother, Craig Brodie Simpson. When we worked together, Craig would often lend me his books and we would meet up to discuss them over lunch after I had read them. When he gave me this novel, I made it to around 100 pages and gave him it back, as I knew I had to buy my own copy. I’ve since purchased all of his novels and read most of them, but this remains my favourite. Boyd himself wrote the screenplay of the excellent TV adaptation of the novel and it will take some beating to knock it off the perch of being my favourite novel of all time.
10 – ALIVE
My debut novel and, at present, my only stand alone book. As much as I love the DI Joanne Christie series, this is where it all started. Encouraged and championed by the aforementioned Craig, it was the novel I wanted to write and the reason why I continue to enjoy writing to this day. I have a feeling that many of the books on this list helped shape this novel, the diary format taken from the Adrian Mole books, the mystery of the crime and investigation novels, perhaps my aim to write characters as well as William Boyd (or at least try). I’m still incredibly proud of this book and although it may be rough around the edges, I think there is heart in the story and a shocking twist or two.
Thank you again for reading my blog. It may be a few days late, but I will try and release these at least monthly, so please subscribe so you are first to hear when I eventually get round to writing them. You can reach out to me on the usual socials (except THAT one) and let me know if you’ve enjoyed any of these books or what books would make your list. Also, if you haven’t read it, have a read of Alive and let me know what you think – hearing reader’s thoughts is the best part of being an author…
Ross Alexander Writer 