Sam Roberts comes to Books at Noon to discuss his latest work, A History of New York in 101 Objects.  Here he tells us a bit about himself as a reader.

When and where do you like to read?

Love to read most curled up in a chair and ideally near a fireplace (in winter, of course), with no music, no telephone, no email, no distractions.

What were your favorite books as a child?

I recall enjoying, and probably being influenced by, history most, and by biography. Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, "there is properly no history, only biography." Events are vital, but I've also learned that recounting history through people—and objects—can be equally or even more compelling. 

What books had the greatest impact on you?

Caro's The Power Broker, Plutarch's Lives, Wiesel's Night, to name just a few.

Would you like to name a few writers out there you think deserve greater readership? 

Among the older ones, Kenneth Roberts (no relation). As a kid, I loved his historical novels. More recently, I'm captivated by the insights of Graham Robb and Margaret Macmillan.

What was the last book you recommended?

Paris 1919—how the world went to hell. 

What do you plan to read next?

Hoping to plough through the latest Kissinger tome.