A monthly interview with Bolinas Library readers.
David Moritz is a long time resident of Bolinas. In fact he has lived here for about 42 years now. He started laying brick and doing stonework and other masonry at the age of 13 and later at 18 became a journeyman in the International Brotherhood of Bricklayers, Masons, and Plasterers., opens a new window He has traveled the world extensively and his skills have served him well.
What are you reading now? What’s in your pile of books? Do you read one book at a time or several?
I usually read many at once. But sometimes if a book grabs me, I’ll read it all at once, even if it means staying up all night. On the pile of books beside me right now, I’m looking at a stack: Ethiopia & Djibouti , opens a new window(Lonely Planet), The End of the End of the Earth, opens a new window (Johnathan Franzen), Travels with Herodotus, opens a new window (Ryszard Kapuscinski), My Brief History, opens a new window (Stephen Hawking), and Mama’s Last Hug, opens a new window (Frans de Waal).
On my Ipad, I have: Arguably , opens a new window(Christopher Hitchens), Between Summer's Longing and Winter's End , opens a new window(Leif Persson), and Notes on A Foreign Country: An American Abroad in A Post-American World, opens a new window. (Suzy Hansen).
I also have many more books just lying around the house that I pick up now and then for a short read. I usually have a crime novel or two that I switch to for entertainment, a guilty pleasure.
Do you prefer to read paper or ebooks, audio?
I prefer holding a physical book but I also read off my iPad especially when traveling.
How do you find the books you want to read?
I find them several ways, from browsing in the library, book reviews, suggestions from friends, and from our book club.
Do you have a favorite genre? Are there any genres that you never read?
I guess that I enjoy most genres; especially historical fiction, straight history (non-fiction) and travel books connected to history or current situations. I also read a lot of mysteries, especially Scandinavian, like for instance, The Princess of Burundi, opens a new window (Kjell Eriksson). I stay away from the violent ones though. I generally don't read magic realism or science fiction although in the past I have read a few classics in those genres.
What was your reading experience as a child? Did you grow up with a lot of books around? Did you have a favorite book?
I’ve always been a voracious reader from a young age. My Dad had a library from his youth with some classics and lots of travel and adventure books. Most of all I loved reading National Geographic Magazine, opens a new window which my grandfather gave me a subscription to for Christmas. I covered the walls of my room that I shared with my brother, with maps that came with the issues.
Were there any books that made a big impression on you in your life, especially your younger years?
In my teens, I was very impressed by The Good Soldier Svejk, opens a new window (Jaroslav Hasek) and All Quiet on the Western Front , opens a new window(Erich Maria Remarque). I knew after reading them that I would never join anyone’s army. The Dharma Bums, opens a new window by Jack Kerouac also made a big impression as did the poem Howl , opens a new windowby Allen Ginsberg and Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s A Coney Island of the Mind., opens a new window
What books might we be surprised to find on your shelves?
I’d say, gardening books, like Carrots Love Tomatoes: Secrets of Companion Planting for Successful Gardening , opens a new window(Louise Riotte).
Is there a famous author that you ever wanted to meet? Maybe back in time?
I would have loved to travel with Ryszard Kapuscinski, opens a new window. When I was in college in Germany I was a big fan of Barbara Tuchman, opens a new window. Of course back in ancient times, I would have loved to spend time with Herodotus, opens a new window, Hadrian , opens a new window(Roman Emperor) and also Lucretius., opens a new window
What’s the last good book you recommended to a friend?
In our book club we read books about WWI and for the 100th anniversary year, I recommended The Guns of August , opens a new windowby Barbara Tuchman and Birdsong, opens a new window by Sebastian Faulks; both great books.
What do you plan to read next? Do you plan?
Right now, I’m reading lots of books on Ethiopia as I plan to travel there soon. Otherwise it’s helter- skelter.
Is there a book that you always meant to read but still haven’t? Any highly rated books that you thought were over rated?
I always meant to read Marcel Proust, opens a new window but except for his 35 Questions, opens a new window, it was tough slogging. Most so-deemed great books seem over rated but I blame that on myself. I have a friend in New York City who writes book reviews and is an editor. He sees much more than I do and is both more critical and more complimentary than I am. I especially find the New York Times highly rated books over-rated; for example Lincoln in the Bardo, opens a new window (George Saunders) and Hillbilly Elegy, opens a new window (J.D. Vance). However as I read mainly for pleasure, it could all be a matter of interest, training and experience.
Do you ever re-read?
I rarely re-read books as there are so many waiting to be read. I do re-read book club books and find topics to discuss and am struck more by the use of language and it’s beauty in the second reading.
Do you have a collection of books at home? Where?
Yes, I have a library and far too many books.
What kinds of characters are you drawn to?
I am drawn to strong women with a biting sense of humor. I like soulful, eclectic characters with an edge. I’m not into nationalism or macho heroes.
When and where do you like to read? Describe your ideal reading experience.
Nothing beats reading in front of an open fire on the chilly, rainy evening.
Why read?
Reading takes one into minds you may never meet. It exposes you to ideas, experiences, and histories that broaden and sharpen your mind. Pure pleasure is high on my list of reasons.
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