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#FictionFriday: Now That's What I'm Tolkien About...



Welcome to our first ever #FictionFriday, where we ask Yeovil College staff to share their thoughts, opinions and just plain random tastes in books. Each staff member selects questions to answer from a finely honed and crafted selection, designed to entertain and educate us about their reading lives.



#FictionFriday - Chris Canning
Today we're talking to Chris Canning.

Chris is our LRC Co-ordinator, and he can often be found helping students with referencing and e-resources in the Quiet Study Area.


Chris is a huge science fiction, fantasy and graphic novel fan,
and has helped us select great titles for our fiction section, which is still growing steadily like a Hobbit after second breakfast. His Hogwarts House is Ravenclaw.


What's the first book you remember reading, or being read?

A book called "Tim and the Hidden People." It was a series of books where a boy finds a key that lets him see hidden people. Pirates and dead people and also some very scary trees... It was a little bit dark! With a talking cat called Tobias."

What is your favourite book of all time?

"I couldn't put down "Dark Tower IV - Wizard and Glass" by Stephen King. The centerpiece of his fantasy epic."

Which character in a book do you think is most like you?

"One of the hobbits - Merry Brandybuck."

Which literary character would you want to date, and why?

"Triss Merigold (from the Witcher series by Andrzej Sapkowski) - most women in books that I read seem to be a bit unhinged! Triss, however, has a heart of gold."

What's your favourite book adaptation in film or TV?

"Shawshank Redemption (based on the Stephen King novella/ short story). You feel fulfilled after watching it."

Would you read the book before watching an adaptation, and does it matter?

"Only if there was a gap between the two. I don't like repeat viewings, or comparing the two different versions too closely."

What book would you recommend to someone else, and why?

"If you like fantasy, "The Witcher" series by Andrzej Sapkowski."

Who would play you in a film of your life?

"I would - I did drama and theatre at A Level!"

If you were to describe yourself as a type of cake, what would it be?


"Chocolate brownie - I don't want to be classified as a cake."

Where is your favourite place to read?

"Away from everything that resembles society - on a moorland or in a forest."

Thanks Chris! If your idea of reading bliss is also off on the moors, or you'd like to comment (nicely) below, log in with your Google account and join the conversation.
Alternatively, you can always tweet us at @YC_Reading using the hashtag #FictionFriday with what you think of Chris's choices!



You can find Chris's Recommended Reads in the LRC at Yeovil College.






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