Fifty per cent of the books on my shelf, so much so that I gave them away.
Which book are you ashamed not to have read?
Question
Which trait do you most dislike in yourself?
Identity & self
Question
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Craft & work
Question
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
Daily life
Question
What would you like to be remembered for?
Death & what remains
Question
When were you happiest?
Time & hindsight
Question
What keeps you awake at night?
Daily life
Originally asked
The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A
A fixed Guardian Q&A prompt asked directly across respondents and years.
You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.
I feel no shame about not reading a book. That’s silly.
The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 December 2023 source ↗
Others on this question
View all 32 →None! We shouldn’t shame people for not having read “the greats”. There are always new greats emerging that may feel more relevant to our life experience, particularly female writers.
I’ve never read any Proust.
This year, I was asked to be a judge for the Women’s prize for fiction and I’ve read 75 books in six months, so I’m parking shame for the time being.
More from Siobhán McSweeney
View profile →Appearing angry when I’m not angry.
Being loved by my family and friends despite my personality.
A better knee and better lungs.
As Tilda Swinton in a fat suit.
On stage. Always on stage. God that’s depressing, isn’t it?
My impotence in the face of war.
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