'A friendly relationship with readers'

'I knew what I'd get (when I started writing fiction) but I got what I hoped I would. That is, a friendly relationship with readers. I don't think they feel a distance that they might feel with a writer like Ian McEwan. I think they feel their interests and concerns are reflected in the books. They recognise the world and the details of that world. I'm Nick, I'm not Mr Hornby...

I completely understand people's reluctance to pick up a literary novel that is not going to entertain them in the 30 minutes they have before they go to sleep at night. I think the world of books forgets that because so many of us do our reading during the day. That's a luxury so many people forget.'

Nick Hornby in the Bookseller