Summer reading

Charley Boorman Travel writer and adventurer

I’m not a huge book reader, as I’m dyslexic, so reading books – and indeed writing them – has always been a little bit more complicated for me than it is for others. But I like them: when you’re travelling it’s nice to have a book with you.

The more complicated a book is, the harder it is to read, though. War and Peace would not be one that I’d like to try: it’s a slog for anyone, I’m sure, but for someone who is dyslexic it’s even harder.

I think most of us read stuff related to what we like. I don’t think there’s a must-read or a must-not-read – it’s whatever turns you on, isn’t it?

I'm just back from Spain, and while I was there I rediscovered a book I read a long time ago: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance,by Robert M Pirsig. That's definitely going to be my summer read this year. It actually isn't so much about motorbikes, although it gives you a great feeling about what it's like to be on a bike. The thing that interested me was the relationship between the father and son, which is something I can identify with. The book stays with you because it's about a voyage of discovery.

As told to Tony Clayton-Lea