Ali Smith: Henry James had me running down the garden path shouting out loud
Ali Smith is often quoted as saying she's "still learning to read" - and she's not wrong. Despite being a celebrated author herself, her love affair with reading has been long and winding, shaped by a range of influences that have helped shape her unique voice.
One book that left an early impression was Liz Lochhead's Memo for Spring, which Smith recalls discovering in Ann McKay's English teacher bookshelves at the age of 16. It was like nothing she'd ever read before - its Scottish slang and lyrical prose sparking a sense of excitement and hope within her.
As she grew older, Smith's reading list expanded to include an eclectic mix of writers. Toni Morrison's works have had a profound impact on her, with her novels serving as "a sustained and courageous masterclass in how the aliveness in writing shifts the energy in life". Meanwhile, Muriel Spark's Loitering with Intent has become a constant companion, sending Smith off on "a journey of rejoicing".
But it was Henry James who really got under her skin. Reading The Golden Bowl in the garden one summer, Smith found herself shouting out loud at the discovery that the golden bowl had been broken. It was as if she'd stumbled upon a long-lost language, and it left her breathless.
Today, Smith continues to be inspired by writers who challenge her perspectives and broaden her horizons. Liadan Ní Chuinn's Every One Still Here is one such book, its stories about Ireland and recent history tackling the truth of life with unflinching honesty. Meanwhile, Tove Jansson's The Summer Book remains a comfort read that she can always rely on to soothe her soul.
Throughout her reading journey, Smith has remained open to new experiences and perspectives - and it's this openness that has helped shape her own unique literary voice. As someone who's "still learning to read", she embodies the very qualities of curiosity and creativity that have made reading such a transformative experience for so many others.
Ali Smith is often quoted as saying she's "still learning to read" - and she's not wrong. Despite being a celebrated author herself, her love affair with reading has been long and winding, shaped by a range of influences that have helped shape her unique voice.
One book that left an early impression was Liz Lochhead's Memo for Spring, which Smith recalls discovering in Ann McKay's English teacher bookshelves at the age of 16. It was like nothing she'd ever read before - its Scottish slang and lyrical prose sparking a sense of excitement and hope within her.
As she grew older, Smith's reading list expanded to include an eclectic mix of writers. Toni Morrison's works have had a profound impact on her, with her novels serving as "a sustained and courageous masterclass in how the aliveness in writing shifts the energy in life". Meanwhile, Muriel Spark's Loitering with Intent has become a constant companion, sending Smith off on "a journey of rejoicing".
But it was Henry James who really got under her skin. Reading The Golden Bowl in the garden one summer, Smith found herself shouting out loud at the discovery that the golden bowl had been broken. It was as if she'd stumbled upon a long-lost language, and it left her breathless.
Today, Smith continues to be inspired by writers who challenge her perspectives and broaden her horizons. Liadan Ní Chuinn's Every One Still Here is one such book, its stories about Ireland and recent history tackling the truth of life with unflinching honesty. Meanwhile, Tove Jansson's The Summer Book remains a comfort read that she can always rely on to soothe her soul.
Throughout her reading journey, Smith has remained open to new experiences and perspectives - and it's this openness that has helped shape her own unique literary voice. As someone who's "still learning to read", she embodies the very qualities of curiosity and creativity that have made reading such a transformative experience for so many others.
I'm loving how Ali Smith is owning her love for reading, even if it means saying she's still learning to read herself lol 
. It's like, can't we all be honest about not knowing everything? The way she talks about how different books have impacted her life is so inspiring, especially the one about Henry James breaking that golden bowl... I need to re-read that too! 
I'm loving Ali Smith's honest take on how reading shaped her as an author! 
It's so inspiring to see someone who's still learning (and growing) through their love of books. I think it's amazing that she's discovered writers like Liz Lochhead, Toni Morrison, and Muriel Spark, who've had a profound impact on her writing style and perspective. And can we talk about how much I adore Henry James? 
His writing is like nothing else, right?! What I love most about Ali Smith is her openness to new experiences and perspectives - it's like she's still discovering the magic of reading herself! 
The way he writes about relationships and human emotions is just so deep and complex... sometimes I feel like I'm reading between the lines in my history textbooks, trying to figure out all the subtle hints about historical events 
. But seriously, it's amazing how reading can make you see things from a new perspective, right? Like, when I'm studying for exams, I always find myself thinking about how the authors were feeling when they wrote their books... 
It makes me wonder though if she ever got tired of discovering new books and authors that just blow her mind. I've been there too, reading Liadan Ní Chuinn's book and feeling like my whole world has changed. Its interesting how our lives are shaped by the things we read and its great to see Smith finding comfort in Tove Jansson's The Summer Book too. For me, reading is all about finding that balance between getting lost in a new story and still being able to relate to it - I guess thats what makes books so special 
and I'm totally here for that 
like when you're reading The Golden Bowl and you're basically shouting at the top of your lungs because someone broke a bowl. 
But for real, it's clear that Smith is all about finding those writers who blow her mind and challenge her perspective. I'm still looking for my own "Memo for Spring" 
And it's so inspiring to see her keep openin' herself up to new experiences and perspectives. Liadan Ní Chuinn's Every One Still Here sounds like a real page-turner! 
. And have you read any of Toni Morrison's stuff? Game-changer 
. It just goes to show that reading can be life-changing, right? I mean, I've been reading since I was a kid, and I still feel like I'm learning all the time 
.
. And we're all still learning, just like Ali Smith says 
! And she's right that reading can be like a journey of rejoicing, it makes me want to dive into my own TBR pile ASAP 
! And can we talk about how relatable it is for her to still feel like she's "learning to read"? 
!