Born in High Wycombe in 1981, author Max Porter worked as a bookseller at Daunt Books and was later editorial director of Granta and Portobello Books. In 2015, he published his first novel, Grief Is the Thing With Feathers, which won several awards including the Sunday Times/Peters Fraser and Dunlop young writer of the year and the Dylan Thomas prize. It was later adapted into a play directed by Enda Walsh. His second book, Lanny, was shortlisted for the Gordon Burn prize in 2019 and is being adapted into a film starring Rachel Weisz. Shy, his latest novel, is published by Faber on 6 April.
1. Books
Since I first read Olga Ravn’s spectacular The Employees I’ve been obsessed with this independent publisher, which specialises in “formally innovative fiction” in translation, with an emphasis on Scandinavian work. Every single one of its releases that I’ve read has rearranged my brain in some way. They are beautifully designed and produced books too. Thread Ripper by Amalie Smith, translated by Jennifer Russell, is another of my favourites, a book like a weaving made of nature and numbers, lives and ideas.
2. Music
Since I was 12 years old staying up late to tape Gilles Peterson and Patrick Forge on Kiss FM I’ve been madly grateful for internationally minded radio DJs bringing diverse music to this island. And now, as a sad, middle-aged, jazz dad in the kitchen, I religiously listen to Jamz Supernova on 6 Music. I think she’s the best DJ on the radio. Eclectic, global, boundary-pushing tunes, amazing mixes and a chatty, positive, honest presenting style. Honestly, Jamz Supernova for prime minister.
3. Shop
A pilgrimage site for printed-matter fetishists for more than three decades, tucked just on the edge of De 9 Straatjes in Amsterdam, this bookshop specialises in artists’ books, limited editions, pamphlets, posters and zines and is overflowing with curious and wonderful things. It feels to me like a quietly vital organ in the body of postmodern European art, a hectic temple of experiment, attention and care. If I feel depressed about, I don’t know… Elon Musk, then I just remember Boekie Woekie exists too.
4. Food
I am an absolute animal when it comes to this rayu, made in Dublin. The peanut one first got me hooked but the fermented black bean variant is the bigger flavour bang. It is a condiment of dazzling versatility. Smoky, a bit sour, crunchy, rich red oil, deep flavour, nice bit of heat – it’s incredible in a dressing. I have it on absolutely everything. It got to the point where I was hovering a spoonful over my porridge one morning and realised I had a problem.
5. Art
Magdalena Abakanowicz, Tate Modern
My literary agent told me to rush to this exhibition by the late great Polish sculptor and she was, as always, right. The arboreal scale and hairy-rug shock of the Abakans [works] – like night-terror visitors or internal organs woven into sacred garments or uncanny playthings for giants – is truly unforgettable. The last piece in the show is a shocking, weird, metal-ringed tree amputee. One day I want to travel to Lithuania to see her 22 forest-dwelling concrete dollops, Space of Unknown Growth.
6. Hobby
I don’t want to boast but I have an impressive collection of Pez machines (or dispensers, if you’re that way inclined). I have hundreds, not thousands, but the day is young. I don’t care about value, condition or scarcity, I’m not a completist, I just want to look at it and think “yes, that’s an excellent thing”. I want to be charmed by each and every Pez in my gallery. I recently got a Jimmy Carter Pez machine and I can tell you, it’s an excellent thing.
Shy by Max Porter is published on 6 April by Faber (£12.99). To support the Guardian and Observer order your copy at guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply
