Pint of Purple: Maya Westwick

What book are you reading at the moment?

I’m reading Frankenstein for what feels like the millionth time. For some reason I’ve never enjoyed it, Viktor makes me so angry. He’s worse than Hamlet and we all know that guy sucked at seeking revenge. I still read it at least once a year in the hope that being older and therefore wiser will mean I’m finally able to appreciate Mary Shelley…not so much.

Who is your favourite literary character?

I love Dorian Gray. Oscar Wilde changed my life. To this day there’s still something so intriguing about a young guy mistakenly selling his soul, only to realise when it’s too late to undo it but being so far gone he thinks “what the hell, might as well make this shit count” and really going for it. I was this young girl, reading a book about corruption and vanity, soaking up every single word and patiently waiting for the day when something as dramatic would happen to me.

What is the first book you remember reading?

The first book I remember getting really excited about to the extent that I carried it around in my schoolbag and battled with my parents at bedtime because I wanted to stay up and read was the His Dark Materials trilogy by Phillip Pullman. I was in year 4 and a bookworm, my favourite teacher recommended it to me and it blew my mind.

What is your all-time favourite book?

It’s a toss up between Dorian Gray, Pride and Prejudice and Dracula. If I HAD to choose, I’d say Dracula. Anyone that knows me knows that I’m a vamp-girl. I read it at least five times a year and each time discover a new aspect that takes me on a new adventure.

If you wrote an autobiography, what would be the title?

(It took me all week to come up with this) ‘The Crazy Vampire Bitch Next Door’. Then again, I wouldn’t really like to be remembered as being a bitch or crazy so maybe something as simple as Maya, because I’m hoping one day I’m famous enough that my first name alone will be more than enough to inspire little kids everywhere to be fabulous.

Kindle vs. Book?

Book, 100%. One of my favourite feelings is when you can’t put a book down and you have to take it everywhere so you go so far as to opting for your larger handbag just so it can fit inside. I wouldn’t get to do that with a Kindle, they’re so compact. I’m not oblivious to the benefits of the Kindle though, I’d probably buy one sooner or later but for now pass me the paperback.

How much is a pint of purple?

I have absolutely no idea. I feel like I should know this because one of my friends lives, breathes, eats circle but I’m drawing blanks. I’m going to go with 75p because I remember thinking it was really cheap.