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Tales of adventure, mystery and cocktails at the end of time.
Irish-born author Eoin Colfer developed an early love of writing from childhood Viking stories. After his mega-selling Artemis Fowl books -- which follow the fantastical adventures of a 12-year old master criminal who has a hankering for fairy treasure -- made his name a byword among young readers, he took on the daunting task of extending Douglas Adams beloved Hitchiker's Guide books, a challenge he carried off with brio in And Another Thing.... Here, Eoin Colfer shares three favorite reads.
The Exploits and Adventures of Brigadier Gerard
By Arthur Conan Doyle
"The Adventures of Brigadier Gerard by Arthur Conan Doyle is a collection of a series of comic short stories by the creator of Sherlock Holmes. This lesser known hero is almost the polar opposite of the famous sleuth when it comes to perception of the world around him. In the Brigadier's mind he is the world's finest hussar, greatest swordsman, and, of course, most honorable lover. In reality he prances through the Napoleonic wars escaping death and disgrace more through the grace of chance than his own talents. A wonderful collection of stories that showcases Conan Doyle's fine comic touch."
By Ken Bruen
"This gritty, reluctant PI novel inspired me not only to write a crime book myself, but to write the author a fan letter. My first ever. In this book, Bruen introduces his ex-policeman anti-hero Jack Taylor who is hated by everyone, including himself, but somehow manages to make it to the end of every page without being knocked off. A dark, dark noir masterpiece with one-liners that hit you like a slug in the gut and comedy that will make you wonder what kind of sick individual you are to be laughing at this stuff. "
The Restaurant at the End of the Universe
By Douglas Adams
"The Restaurant at the End of the Universe is the second part in Douglas Adams’s insane jaunt through the universe and my favourite episode. Many people don’t get these books but many people do and for my money the people who do are more likely to live longer, enjoy life more, improbably win the lottery twice and find their true loves. Or at the very least smile a secret smile every time they enter a restaurant and wonder whether or not the parking attendant is a robot."
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