DON’T MISS

THE Common Guild’s latest project is In the Open, a series of audio works to be listened to, ideally outside. Conceived of during lockdown, as a means of bringing art and thought to those on their daily walks, artists involved include Luke Fowler, Lauren Gault, Duncan Marquiss, Margaret Salmon, Ashanti Harris and Sulaiman Majali. Ashanti Harris’s online audio work, History Haunts the Body, was recently released, with Majali’s Strange Winds, the final instalment in the project – designed to be heard outside, ideally 17 minutes before sunrise – now available.

FIRST BOOK THAT MADE AN IMPACT ON YOU?

Tess of The D’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy. I always wish for better for poor Tess.

WHICH BOOKS HAVE MADE YOU CRY?

I love A Kestrel for a Knave by Barry Hines. I cry at the scene where Billy’s English teacher is teaching his students the difference between fact and fiction.

When the teacher asks the class to write a ‘tall-tale,’ – something that cannot possibly be true – and Billy writes about coming from a happy, peaceful home and looking forward to a warm meal on the table every night, well, that breaks my heart.

FAVOURITE CHARACTER AND WHY?

E READER OR PRINT?

Always print. But I’ve learnt to keep a book on my phone for those moments when I’m stuck in a queue or waiting on a bus.

WHERE DO YOU LIKE TO READ?

Its less about ‘where’ for me. All I hope for is inner peace, freedom from to-do lists, distractions or anxiety. If I can have that, I can read absolutely anywhere.

LAST BOOK YOU DIDN’T FINISH AND WHY?