#bookhangover with #author Ross Sayers @Sayers33 @cranachanbooks

Woo hoo! It’s Friday! Finally!

And of course that can only mean one thing – it’s #bookhangover day!

I am delighted to welcome debut author, Ross Sayers to my blog today, lets find out all about him!

Good morning Ross, thank you for dropping by today and without further ado . . .

Who are you and what do you do?

I’m Ross Sayers. I’ve been working in retail since graduating University, but happy to say I’m starting a new job in Glasgow soon. 

What gives you an actual hangover?

For me, it’s that cheap vodka you get in clubs, but you still drink it because it’s so cheap! (Because it’s probably not technically vodka, I’d wager…) Oh, and Jagermeister. You can buy me a Jagerbomb if you’d like, but I won’t touch it. [#ETLBW – I personally think 7.30 a.m. is a little early for a Jagerbomb . . . do you want a coffee instead?!]

What TV programme?

Whenever I re-watch The West Wing, I’m always in awe of the storytelling (and pretty much everything else!). Aaron Sorkin can write a scene where two people have a wee quiet chat, and I’ll be on the edge of my seat. 

I think I’ve fallen out with The West Wing! I’m at the stage where they have all changed roles and a new guy is campaigning and I just don’t like it! Argh! I’m going to go back to it though, see if the break away has given me chance to process the changes!

What film?

I had my answer all written out for The Shawshank Redemption, but Lorraine Rugman chose it just a couple of weeks ago! So, instead, let’s go for Dumb & Dumber. For my money, the funniest film of all time. Impossible not to watch when it’s on TV!

So many people have put Shawshank! It’s up in my top five too . . . Now – Mock… ing… bird… ing… – I’ll be singing this all day now!

What song?

There’s a song called ‘Hit Somebody’ by Warren Zevon, which is all about an ice hockey player named Buddy. I don’t usually listen to ‘narrative’ songs, and I don’t know anything about ice hockey, but every time I listen to it, I can’t help but get emotional. It’s a brilliant combination of humour, heart, and an excellent tune. I urge everyone to give it a listen.

 What food?

I’m sure I’m not the only one, but I have weakness for Domino’s pizza. The problem being, I feel full for about a week after having one.

What person?

I’m a huge fan of Conan O’Brien, talk show host and ex-Simpsons writer. I think he’s one of the most genuinely funny people around, and his skits where he talks to people on the street are legendary.  I would recommend looking up a speech he made when hosting his final Tonight Show, encouraging young people to avoid cynicism at all costs. Very inspirational.

 And finally, what book?

I read James Kelman’s novel ‘Kieron Smith, Boy’ about two years ago now, but it’s influenced basically every piece I’ve written since then. I’d never believed a narrator’s voice so truly before. I can only hope Mary from my novel makes someone out there feel the same way.

Now, you may have noticed that Ross mentioned ‘Mary’ in his final answer, well Mary is the protagonist in Ross’s debut novel, Mary’s The Name, which is released on the 30th January . . . Keep an eye out next week as I will be sharing my review.

Thank you so much for joining me today Ross! What a great selection of favourites, it’s been brilliant having you here!

I’m loving seeing how many people like the same things through this feature, but what’s your favourite film? In keeping with the theme of the feature, what film gets you so involved that it gives you a #filmhangover when it’s finished? That film that you could watch over and over and over again?

Let me know in the comments and have a super day! Stay warm!!! x