In an earlier post, I mentioned that I frequent the library – frequently. I’ll go on binges and end up reading multiple books by a single author. Lately, I’ve taken out several by Nick Hornby.

It took seven years before I started watching “Seinfeld” and I’m only now “getting into” Elvis.

It’s the same with Hornby.

I knew who who he was, sort of. A movie starring Hugh Grant was based on one of his books. But it wasn’t until I listened to an interview with him on “Q” on CBC radio that I decided to read what it was all about.

I had a job during the summer that allowed me to listen to the radio with frequency and pleasure while making me feel that the work I did was secondary (to what is for me to still figure out).

"Juliet, Naked" by Nick Hornby

Hornby was on and “Juliet, Naked” was the product.

After actually purchasing the book as a gift for my brother’s birthday, who just happens to be a book publisher himself, I queued up patiently for my turn online to read Nick’s latest work.

When reading books as a child the authors are invariably adults. Yet the characters might be similar in age (the Hardy Boys, Harry Potter, Alice In Wonderland) and you’re able to engage with the storyline while hoping something like what they’re experiencing might happen to you – even as a daydream.

Reading a Hornby novel or anything for that matter by someone who might share your birthday, one recognizes human traites and mores that very easily and uncomfortably apply to oneself – no daydreaming required. This is no fantasy, unless you’re in denial.

“Psychology for Dummies” or is Hornby able to tap into a frequency of human experience that speaks to us all? I expect the latter. We think about it, while reading. It’s admitting that’s critical.

Ironically, when I dog-ear the page, I usually have a good nights sleep.

Not.

Last month my father, Jim Shilliday, launched his latest book, “A Memory of Sky” at McNally-Robinson. It’s his second in the span of a few years – the first being a biography of Seager Wheeler, “Canada’s Wheat King”. Not bad for a guy who has been retired for nearly 20 years.

Jim Shilliday reading from his book at McNally-Robinson

This book chronicles not only the colorful history of aviation in Canada, but his own experiences as a pilot during the Cold War.

He was stationed in North Lufnam, England, Marville, France and Baden-Baden, Germany while serving with the 410 fighter squadron and flew the F-86 Sabre – a single engine aircraft that was widely respected – and, depending on the flag you saluted – feared.

Lots of family, friends and people simply fascinated by airplanes and aviation history turned up that afternoon – even a pair of brothers who were friends of my uncle Robert. He was a gunner on a Lancaster bomber that was shot down over Germany. 19 years old.

If you ever find yourself in Duck Mountain Provincial Park and are driving near the bottom of East Blue Lake, look out for another lake called Shilliday – it’s named after him.