Linda Green: An Author’s Favourite Fictions
Linda Green’s reading list
14 books mentioned in this interview
- Perfect · Rachel Joyce
- The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
- The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy
- Jill’s Gymkhana · Ruby Ferguson
- Long Walk to Freedom · Nelson MandelaRecommended 3 times
- The Boy in the Striped Pajamas · John Boyne
- Tell Me Something Happy Before I Go to Sleep · Joyce Dunbar
- A Man Called Ove · Fredrik Backman
- To Kill a Mockingbird · Harper LeeRecommended 23 times
- The Lovely Bones · Alice SeboldRecommended 3 times
- The Time Traveler’s Wife · Audrey NiffeneggerRecommended 4 times
- Room · Emma DonoghueRecommended 3 times
- Before I Go to Sleep · SJ Watson
- The Girl with All The Gifts · M.R. CareyRecommended 3 times
Books by Linda Green: While My Eyes Were Closed
I reached out to Linda Green after seeing her achieve the accolade of having her book listed as the number one most downloaded eBook on Amazon — an incredible achievement. While My Eyes Were Closed is Linda’s seventh book, but she has experienced similar success with her previous works. As I read more about Linda Green, and her journey, I was amazed to discover that she experienced over 100 rejections from agents for her first novel. When you consider the success she is experiencing now, it goes to show that these ‘experts’ don’t always know what they’re talking about! I was extremely excited when Linda agreed to complete an interview and have her reading list on the site. So, here it is, my interview with Linda Green…
When someone asks you ‘what do you do for a living?’ – how do you respond?
I say I’m an author and that it almost feels like a proper job.
What are you reading at the moment?
Perfect by Rachel Joyce. I loved The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and the sequel, The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy. She is one of those authors who you always know you are in safe hands with.
When you think about your childhood, what book comes to mind?
Probably Jill’s Gymkhana by Ruby Ferguson! I was pony-mad until age 11 and would read anything which involved horses.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
An author. I declared I wanted to be a published author in a school memories book when I was nine years old. There was no going back from that point! I spent 10 very happy years as a journalist first, and five years freelancing and teaching creative writing while trying to get my first book deal.
What do you think your school aged self would think of the present day you?
She would be absolutely delighted that she achieved her ambition but probably surprised to know that she would get 102 rejections from agents before she got her first book deal!
If you could wrap up a single book and gift it to yourself as you left education – which book would it be?
Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela. His was a life with so many lessons for us all, particularly about courage, persistence and forgiveness.
Does your reading have routine? Is there a particular time or place that you like to read?
I don’t spend nearly as much time reading as I’d like to due to the demands of work and family but I always have a book on the go. I do a lot of reading on the train and try to uphold my rule not to write on trains in order to make time to read. And holidays are always a time when I treat myself to a good book.
Which book has had the biggest impact on your career so far?
My current novel While My Eyes Were Closed is my most successful so far. It’s been a bit of a game-changer for me in that I’ve moved into psychological thriller territory with it and I love the fact that it’s given me the opportunity to write the sort of books I’ve always wanted to write.
Do you have any books that you strongly associate with someone important in your life?
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne. I cried when I read it for the first time and again when I read it to my son, who wasn’t much older than Bruno and Shmuel in the story. John Boyne is an extraordinarily good writer and I love that he moved my son and I to tears.
What book have you recommended the most to friends and family?
Probably Tell Me Something Happy Before I Go to Sleep by Joyce Dunbar, which was my son’s favourite bedtime story.
Do you prefer fiction or non-fiction?
Fiction. Always.
Do you think reading is important?
It’s massively important for children and adults. It’s how we learn about other people and other worlds. I do think it’s a shame the way phones and tablets are taking over from reading for so many people but children give me hope that their love of reading will last a lifetime.
What’s the best book you’ve read in the last 6 months?
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. Funny and touching in equal measures.
Do you prefer real books or digital books?
Physical books; they never need recharging! Although I reluctantly read ebooks when travelling.
Name a book that you feel every human should have to read by law.
The one which will make them fall in love with reading.
What is the book that you feel has had the single biggest impact on your life?
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. It deals with everything which is important in life and Atticus Finch is my all time fictional hero. I think children can be incredibly powerful narrators.
Are there any books you haven’t mentioned that you feel would make your reading list?
My other favourites are The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold, The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger and Room by Emma Donoghue. And Margaret Atwood is my favourite author, I am in awe of the way she uses words.
What books or subject matter do you plan on reading in the next year?
I have a huge amount of ‘to be read’ books on my bookshelves. but I think Before I Go to Sleep by SJ Watson and The Girl with All The Gifts by M.R. Carey may be next in line.
If you were to write an autobiography – what would it be called?
If at First You Don’t Succeed . . .
If you’d like to learn more about Linda Green, you can do so by checking out her website, her Facebook and her Twitter.
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