Author Julian Hoffman shared his thoughts on his reading habits and the impact of literature in a recent interview. Hoffman is currently reading "The Half Bird" by Susan Smillie, a book detailing the author's solo sailing journey from southern England to Greece.
Another book on his summer reading list is Richard Wagamese's "Starlight." This novel, completed posthumously after Wagamese's death in 2017, explores themes of learning from the land in Western Canada and its potential for healing. Hoffman described it as a powerful and luminous work.
When asked about a book he would take to a desert island, Hoffman selected Kathleen Jamie's "Findings." He praised the book's beautifully written essays on humanity's place in the world and the concept of finding the wild in one's surroundings. Hoffman highlighted Jamie's skill in observing the environment, a trait he believes would be valuable in isolation.
Hoffman's early interest in reading was sparked by Enid Blyton's "Famous Five" series. He cited the characters' agency, responsibility, and their ability to overcome challenges independently as particularly inspiring elements for him as a child.
Reflecting on books that have not resonated, Hoffman mentioned J.D. Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye." While he enjoyed it as a teenager, he found it did not hold the same appeal upon re-reading it as an adult. Hoffman explained that books can have different impacts at various stages of life, emphasizing the importance of encountering the right book at the right time. "There are times in life when a particular book will leave its mark on you and other times when it won’t," he stated. "Sometimes books change as you change and sometimes they don’t."
Hoffman's book, "Lifelines," is currently available in paperback.
