I want to be Nick Hornby

I'm totally serious.  Nick Hornby is absolutely one of the coolest people I don't know.  First of all, he writes amazing books.  I'll admit to enjoying some more than others (Slam is no High Fidelity kids) and I'm constantly astounded by his ability to put my thoughts into words and phrases that just never would have come to my mind.  I admire him for his life-long love of Arsenal (read Fever Pitch, don't bother with the movies) and his ability to discuss music without having one of those "I remember this song 'cause it was playing when . . ." moments (Songbook is incredible!).  And I love that part of his job is just to sit around and read.  And talk about it.  And essentially get paid for it.  'Cause I soooooo want to do that.

Right now I'm in the middle of his latest book Shakespeare Wrote For Money, the third collection of his columns from The Believer.  The Believer is a literary magazine that sadly costs as much as it is worth (ie $$$) but thankfully they also put Nick Hornby's columns into books.  His columns have kind of the greatest premise ever: a list of books Nick bought this month, a list of books he read this month, and a long discussion of the books, his life, and his general thoughts on literature.  Sometimes all he talks about is why he didn't really read.  I don't care if that might sound self-indulgent, it's always fascinating.  The column has ended, which is sad, but if you have the opportunity to pick up these books, please do.  He reads books I've never heard of and can't wait to pick up and stuff I would never read in a million years.  Sometimes, he even reads books I've already read.  But no matter what the columns are thought provoking and engaging.  They make me want to be a better reader, a better writer, and a generally more informed person, and it's hard to ask for much more from someone who I've never met and really want to be.