Book lover: Ben Hurley

Ben Hurley. Photo / Supplied

Ben Hurley is an Auckland stand-up comedian.

The book I love most is ... The Scarecrow by Ronald Hugh Morrieson. A dark, macabre yet iconic, Kiwi classic set in Hawera where I grew up (although it's called Klynham in the book). I never saw anything like the sinister activity that's in this book, but I certainly could see the potential.

The book I'm reading right now is ... This might sound strange but I'm trying to read Darwin's The Origin of Species. It's research for a show I'm attempting to write about how evolution applies to every aspect of modern life. So far, it's a tad dry. For a book that talks a lot about procreation, there's a distinct lack of sex.

The book I'd like to read next is ... My evolution notes from sixth form biology.

The book that changed me is ... Orwell's Animal Farm. I was at university and thought I was a communist. Then Orwell taught me that if you become a communist then the pigs take over and the horses die. I'm pretty sure that's the point of that book.

The book I wish I'd never read is ... Jamie's America. I gained 3kg in the subsequent fortnight.

* Ben Hurley is performing in AotearoHa Comedy Carnival; Wellington December 9, Auckland December 10 & 11. ticketek.co.nz