Felix J. Palma's must-read books and favourite authors

We might be alone on this one (and you can tell us if we are!), but we love hearing about the pop culture preferences of our favourite writers. It feels like we really have the inside scoop when we hear their picks for books, movies and music. Are you reading along with as we go through Felix J. Palma's The Map of Time? If so (and even if you're not), you might be interested to find out what are the author's  must-read books, favourite characters and best advice for new writers. Visit the Chatelaine book club blog again on Thursday for our second chat about this fabulous page-turner.

Q. Who are your favorite authors?
A. Julio Cortázar, Borges, Daniel Pennac, Paul Auster, Martin Amis.   

Q. What are your 5 favorite books of all time?
A. Lolita (Nabokov), The Anubis Gates (Tim Powers),The Time Traveler’s Wife (Audrey Niffenegger), Interview with the Vampire (Anne Rice), One Hundred Years of Solitude (Gabriel Garcia Márquez).  

Q. Is there a book you love to reread?
A. Cuentos by Julio Cortázar.  

Q. Do you have one sentence of advice for new writers?
A. That they must try to enjoy the process of writing, not just the fact of having a finished work.  

Q. What comment do you hear most often from your readers?
A. Give me back by money! Well… really, some people say to me: Thanks for making me dream.  

Q. Who is your favorite fictional hero?
A. Wolverine  

Q. Who is your favorite fictional villain?
A. The Joker.  

Q. If you could meet any historical character, who would it be and what would you say to him or her?
A. Houdini. I would ask him for his tricks.  

Q. With whom in history do you most identify?
A. H.G. Wells.  

Hmm, H.G. Wells, huh? Seems like we'll be hearing more about old Bertie in part two... which, incidentally, your readers will be discussing on Thursday. Be sure to check in and find out what we thought of the next part of The Map of Time!

Reprinted by permission of Simon & Schuster. All rights reserved.