Interviews
June 26, 2018 posted by Unity Wellington

Sequoia Schmidt

Sequoia Schmidt

Sequoia Schmidt told us about some of her favourite authors and books as she tours NZ to discuss her new award winning book, Changing Gears: Ups and Downs on the New Zealand Road. Join us for our lunchtime event with Sequoia, 12-12:45pm Tuesday 10th July 2018.


In early 2017, on what initially began as an impulse, Sequoia decided to purchase a ticket to her homeland with the goal of cycling across the country to reconnect with her roots. Once (somewhat) trained, Sequoia began her month-long bike journey of Aotearoa and found that she connected with much more than just the land where she is from.


WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY READING AND HOW DID YOU DISCOVER THE BOOK(S)?

Medium Raw by Anthony Bourdain – been a fan of his for a very long time.

From Lies to Riches by Peter O. Estévez – it’s a book my firm is publishing and due out end of July.

WHO ARE YOUR FAVOURITE WRITERS AND WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THEM?

I’m kind of a romantic at heart, so Jane Austen will always hold a special place in my life.

Bill Bryson, because I feel like I can really relate to his writing style.

Maya Angelou – there is power in her words.

WHAT BOOKS ARE ON YOUR BEDSIDE TABLE?

Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse

The Art of War by Sun Tzu

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK-TO-FILM ADAPTATION?

Lord of the Rings 

WHAT BOOK HAVE YOU RE-READ THE MOST AND WHY?

Richard Branson’s Losing My Virginity. I greatly admire his business sense and the way he has developed his life into what it is. He holds a strong morality in everything he builds from its roots to its leaves. The book is a constant in my life because in addition to being a writer, I am also a company owner. Losing My Virginity is a continuous reminder for me to always keep my eye on the future, and never give into the lows that come with the struggle of the daily grind.

WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE LITERARY CHARACTER?

Anne Shirley – from Anne of Green Gables (and the entire book series).

WHAT BOOK HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN MEANING TO READ BUT STILL HAVEN’T GOTTEN AROUND TO?

The Glass Castle 

WHICH THREE WRITERS WOULD YOU HAVE OVER FOR DINNER?

Mark Twain

Robyn Davidson

Anthony Bourdain

WHAT WOULD YOU COOK THEM?

Branzino baked in coconut milk with lemon grass, mint, ginger and parsley. Topped with sliced lemon.

Bok choy lightly sautéed in tamari and garlic.

Jasmine long grain white rice garnished with light butter and a sprinkle of finely chopped basil.

HOW ARE YOUR BOOKS SHELVED AND ORGANISED AT HOME?

It’s an ongoing project.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE LITERARY QUOTE?

Robert Frost:

“I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less travelled by,
And that has made all the difference.”

A QUESTION FROM PREVIOUS AUTHOR INTERVIEWEE, HELEN HEATH:

 “What are you working on next?”

 My third book….


 

 

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