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Iain Reid is the author of two memoirs: One Bird's Choice and The Truth About Luck. Earlier this month, Simon & Schuster Canada published his debut novel, I'm Thinking of Ending Things. Reid, a past winner of the RBC Taylor Emerging Writer Award, lives in Kingston.

Why did you write your new book?

I'd written two books of non-fiction that focused on mostly pleasant, mostly comforting experiences. I wanted to try something that would be, for me, very different and challenging. I didn't want to feel like I was repeating myself at all, or developing a particular style or pattern. So that meant moving to fiction, and writing and thinking about ideas that were strenuous and unsettling.

What scares you as a writer?

A lot of things. Well, maybe "worry" is more accurate than "scare." Of course I worry about the quality of the work itself as I'm writing. I worry that I waste too much time watching basketball and making elaborate snacks. Maybe what I worry about most, though, is the likelihood that people just won't be all that interested. That always seems like the most reasonable outcome, doesn't it? There's so much compelling, weird, enjoyable stuff for people to read, and that's not considering everything else non-literary that fills their time. Not to sound too naive, but I'm always amazed and grateful to have anyone aware of my writing, and for them to actually take the time to read and react to it. The chances of this happening always feels slight.

If aliens landed on Earth, which book would you give them to teach them about humanity?

I'd probably offer E.B. White's Charlotte's Web, which would appeal to aliens both young and old alike. I grew up on a farm, so, like White, I have spent a lot of time around barns, fields and various animals. White wrote in a letter about his book, "I didn't like spiders at first, but then I began watching one of them, and soon saw what a wonderful creature she was and what a skillful weaver. I named her Charlotte." In case the aliens can't read, which seems plausible, there are illustrations, too. I'd also feel fine giving Thomas Bernhard's The Loser to a mothership full of curious aliens.

Which book do you think is underappreciated?

Laurie Colwin's Home Cooking. There's been a revival in recent years, and more recognition of this gem, but I think it will always be underappreciated. It's a beautiful book. I often give it as a gift. I probably would have answered the same if you'd asked me the question of "which book got you through the darkest period of your life." Like a long meal with a dear friend, Colwin's book always makes me feel better, satisfied.

What's your favourite bookstore in the world?

Hard to pick just one. There are so many I've visited and loved, such as Ben McNally Books in Toronto, BookCourt in Brooklyn and Books & Company in Picton, Ont. I'm currently living in Kingston, and we're fortunate to have an excellent bookshop downtown called Novel Idea. I usually stop by at least once a week. Not always to buy something, but to look around, see what's in. The staff are helpful. And I can often get a recommendation or two, which is nice. I don't think I've ever been to a bookstore that didn't make me feel both pleased and encouraged because of its existence.

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