I remember being shocked when I discovered some of my school pals didn't have books in their homes. I thought it was like not having oxygen, or hot water.

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• Iain Banks:

  I love writing and can't imagine not being able to do it. I want an easy life and if it had been di

• Iain Banks:

  In theory, I work an eight-hour day and a five-day week which means I can socialise with my pals wh

• Iain Banks:

  I'm an only child so am happy with my own company and I don't really get lonely.

• Iain Banks:

  A lot of what the 'Culture' is about is a reaction to all the science fiction I was reading in my v

• Iain Banks:

  Even in my side of the world, I've been in publishing for what, 25 or 26 years, and it's gone from

• Iain Banks:

  I think a lot of people are frightened of technology and frightened of change, and the way to deal

• Iain Banks:

  Science fiction is trying to find alternative ways of looking at realities.

• Iain Banks:

  'Dead Air' is full of rants; it's a rant-based book. Yes, it's self-indulgence. I plead guilty; mea

• Iain Duncan Smith:

  Do not underestimate the determination of a quiet man.

• Iain Duncan Smith:

  The future of Conservatism lies in our beliefs and values, not by throwing them away. We need to sh