What I'm really interested in, as a reader and as a writer, is the idea of the nonfiction book that is not defined by its content, by its "about"-ness. Where you read it irrespective of whether you're interested in the subject.

I published so many books, which, for years, didn't get published here in America, at all - and which barely got any attention in England. So it wasn't going to take much to make me feel suddenly famous. So - yeah - after 20 years, I'm an overnight success.

I always like to be in the presence of people who are good at and love their jobs, Irrespective of their jobs.

I like these nonfiction books where everything that is interesting about them is lost in that catch-all description of their "about"-ness.

There's something about New York. You can get a nice feeling of belonging as a writer here. It's probably the best city on Earth like that. I miss the wisecracking of New York.

The ideal is to feel at home anywhere, everywhere.

I've never really liked L.A., because of its sprawl.