Brenda Lynn Hillman

Brenda Lynn Hillman: American poet

What are you reading?

The Letters of Rosa Luxemburg.

Do you prefer paper books or e-books?

I prefer paper books. But while traveling by plane, I tend to put things on my iPad.

Who is your favorite writer this year?

Some writers whom I love and have been influenced by are Emily Dickinson, Wallace Stevens and Ezra Pound. I wouldn't say who is on top; it would be unfair to all the others that I love.

How much time do you spend reading every day, every week?

It's part of my work. I read my mail, I prepare for classes, read my students' work. For pleasure, I would say I read around three hours a day at least.

Do you bring a book when you travel?

I carry books on my iPad, and I carry paper books. But on this trip (to Shanghai) I was trying to travel very light, so I put books on my iPad. I have downloaded about 50 books onto my iPad.

If you had a free evening, would you read a book, or watch a movie or TV?

I would go to dinner with Bob (Robert Hass), and then we would read a book, and then we would watch a Giants' game, San Francisco's professional baseball team.