John Hult is a recovering newspaper journalist and sometime freelance writer who lives and works in Sioux Falls, SD. The Huron native and SDSU graduate is the father of two young readers and the lesser half of a two-writer marriage. He also writes songs, at a breakneck biannual pace. Find him on Twitter @JohnEHult
What are you reading right now?
Thunder and Lightning: Weather Past, Present and Future by Lauren Redniss. A recent job change inspired a deeper interest in weather events and climate, and the combination of solid journalism, storytelling and art in the Redniss book makes for a compelling (and quick) read. I'm also rereading Another Roadside Attraction by Tom Robbins on my smartphone.
Who is your favorite author?
Kurt Vonnegut (and authors who ape or build on Kurt Vonnegut)
What book are you too nervous to begin?
Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace
Favorite TV or film adaption of a book?
A Clockwork Orange, because it recognizes that a film adaptation works best when it captures the spirit of a book and avoids trying to stuff each scene into a few short hours.
Car reading: yea or nay?
I grew up in Eastern South Dakota with a father who always wanted to spend his weekends on the road, so car reading turned into a habit real fast. Corn fields are nice, but they do tend to blend together after a while. Now I'm the family driver, so I don’t read much in the car.
Which do you prefer: audiobook, ebook or physical book?
A physical book is ideal, but ebooks have two distinct advantages: They go everywhere my smartphone does, and they're a better use of idle time than social media
What is your favorite reading spot?
I read in bed for the most part, but day reading happens on the living room couch.
What is your preference when it comes to books: new or used?
Used, hands down. History and mystery. I also give away any physical book I enjoy. Books should not be ornaments.
"It was a dark and stormy night" or "Once upon a time"?
Once upon a time. Every era has its dark and stormy nights.
If you could have coffee with any author - dead or alive - who would it be? Why?
Upton Sinclair or Studs Terkel. I'm fascinated by journalists who moved in previous eras, before spell checking and Google.