Welcome to our Book Club series. Reading has always been a part of my life, for as long as I can remember, and I’ve always had a curiosity into what other people were reading, often questioning my family members about the books they had on their shelves or at the pool. Over the last few years, I’ve reconnected with that joy and it has become a constant with my friends, sharing our recent favourite reads, what we’ve taken away from them and what we are excited about exploring next. Bringing those conversations to 909, our Book Club series will delve deeper into other creative’s reading history from what they enjoyed when they were growing up, their most impactful read, quotes and more. In order to extend this community of readers, there is a bonus question for those who answer where they recommend a book(s) to next person who contributes to the club.
The second edition of Book Club is with London-based producer and DJ Slacker who released an otherworldly debut album ‘What Would I Do With Saturn’ on Lobster Theremin last year, signifying his most complete work to date and to great acclaim too. He’s also had output on Typeless, Cyberdome and contributed to the Lobster Theremin x Globex Corp collaborative release. He is also the co-founder of Pseudonym Records which was launched in 2020 and has since released tracks from Syz, Viva Konda, Sputnik One, Simkin and more.
Your favourite childhood book?
Six Dinner Sid – it’s about a cat that tricks all of its neighbours into giving bit six dinners, definitely some life lessons in there.
Most impactful/influential book you’ve read?
Stoner by John Williams – I think about this book nearly every day. But another book that really helped to shift my thinking was ‘how Europe underdeveloped Africa’ by Walter Rodney. Such a deft and precise argument that I believe should be on every curriculum at every school.
A quote that has stuck with you?
I’m so bad at remembering quote, I swear I just read words then just forget what I’ve read straight away.
Favourite writer?
Probably James Baldwin – such an amazing writer and person. Really recommend watching ‘James Baldwin in Paris’ great insight into a beautiful mind.
Favourite genre?
I don’t know if it’s a genre itself but my favourite books are books that deal with the melancholy of being human. Books like ‘the heart is a lonely hunter’ by Carson McCullers, ‘another country’ by James Baldwin, ‘Rainbow milk’ by Paul Mendez or the classic ‘the unbearable lightness of being’ by Milan Kundera. Something just strikes me about these sorts of books and their way of being entertaining and yet so desperately sad at the same time.
A book that you recommend everyone should read in their lifetime?
Another favourite genre of mine is sci-fi and I think everyone should give these books a go: ‘Dune’ by Frank Herbert. And ‘The left hand of darkness’ by Ursula K Leguin. Both classics within the genre, and classics for a reason!
Your favourite setting to read in?
Getting the tube every morning to work really reignited my love for reading when I moved to London a year ago. I don’t know what it is about it but I find reading on the tube so relaxing, although I often almost miss my stop which is less relaxing. I find when I read outside in the countryside or other relaxing places I just can’t focus on the book like I can on the tube. I normally just plug in some ambient music (Harold Budd usually) and focus on whatever I’m reading, even if I’m squished against another poor soul on the Victoria line.
Are you someone who shares books with friends? If so, which book have you shared recently?
No unfortunately I don’t really :(. Although I always steal the books my girlfriend buys before she reads them. The last book I did this with was ‘one hundred years of solitude’ by Gabriel Marquez
What are you currently reading?
‘Empire Falls’ by Richard Russo. Such a beautiful book that really delves into the psyche of people who spend their whole lives living and working in smalltown America. Really recommend.
A recommendation for the next Book Club contributor to read?
‘Left hand of Darkness’ by Ursula K Leguin or ‘Rainbow Milk’ by Paul Mendez.