# What is a good first Nick Hornby book? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 16, 2005, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-first-nick-hornby-book/308528 "2005-06-16T12:56:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![FlippyFly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e95f7d/32.png) [@FlippyFly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlippyFly)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2005, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-first-nick-hornby-book/308528/1 "2005-06-16T12:56:29Z")
I heard an interview with Nick Hornby on NPR yesterday, and I am intrigued. What would be a good place to start with this author? ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2005, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-first-nick-hornby-book/308528/2 "2005-06-16T13:06:01Z")
A lot of people love _High Fidelity_, which was adapted into the movie with John Cusack (an excellent movie, by the way). \*About a Boy \* is another one that was made into a movie. Maybe start with one of those books, and then see the movie to compare them? ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2005, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-first-nick-hornby-book/308528/3 "2005-06-16T13:08:01Z")
I read **About a Boy** and thought it brilliant. ( the movie isn’t half bad either, actually, it is pretty good except for a slight plot change.) The way he so caustically described the main character ( I forget his name) and his selfishness and justified captivated me. I cannot tell you how many times I laughed out loud from a well written line or phrase. I am definately reading \*\*High Fidelity \*\* next because the movie slayed me. ---
**Author:** ![Jennyrosity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2bfe46/32.png) [@Jennyrosity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennyrosity)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2005, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-first-nick-hornby-book/308528/4 "2005-06-16T13:48:02Z")
If you’re into music at all then you’ll definitely relate to _High Fidelity_. My personal favourite is \*About A Boy \* though. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2005, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-first-nick-hornby-book/308528/5 "2005-06-16T16:36:07Z")
Well, the first Nick Hornby book I read was _How To Be Good_, and I was quite impressed with it. Very funny, but also serious and thought-provoking. ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2005, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-first-nick-hornby-book/308528/6 "2005-06-16T17:04:40Z")
My favorite is “About a Boy”, as well. I’ve read the other two mentioned in this thread and all are good, though. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2005, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-first-nick-hornby-book/308528/7 "2005-06-16T17:16:20Z")
I’ve only ever read _About a Boy_ unless I’m forgetting one. I don’t think you can go wrong with starting there. ---
**Author:** ![BurnMeUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@BurnMeUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BurnMeUp)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2005, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-first-nick-hornby-book/308528/8 "2005-06-16T17:41:20Z")
I agree that if you’re not really into music High FIdelity will drag in spots for you, but it is very good. I really liked About a Boy and also really enjoed How to Be Good. I am looking forward to grabbing the new one. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Scrivener](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@The\_Scrivener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Scrivener)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2005, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-first-nick-hornby-book/308528/9 "2005-06-16T21:51:17Z")
I’d have to go with **High Fidelity** first, not just because it’s so captivating as a novel, but because the film diverged from the novel enough for a reader to find the novel a revelation. The stuff in the book that didn’t make the original cut of the movie includes the scene of Rob’s finding a dream vinyl collection put up for sale, which was included as an extra on the DVD. Even better, though, was Rob’s pathetic birthday (both the get-together in a bar, and Rob’s visiting his parents), which weren’t filmed at all. ---
**Author:** ![Butterscotch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dc4da7/32.png) [@Butterscotch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Butterscotch)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2005, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-first-nick-hornby-book/308528/10 "2005-06-17T08:10:46Z")
How To Be Good is one of my favourite books! Reading High Fidelity is much better than seeing the film, and the new one is splendid.