Steve Wozniak discussed his new book, iWoz: From Computer Geek to Cult Icon: How I Invented the Personal Computer, Co-Founded Apple, and Had Fun Doing It , at the Free Library on Saturday, September 30, at 2:00 p.m. He took a few moments to chat with the Free Library Blog.

What role have libraries played in your life?

I was a big reader as a child and most of my books came from the library. I also depended on the city library for research materials for school reports and projects. Additionally, in late high school and early college, I would get interested in some subject and read as much as I could about it, book after book after book.

What was your favorite childhood book?

My favorite young childhood book would have been SOS At Midnight, a book about young ham radio operators catching some crooks. That book inspired me to get my own ham radio license in sixth grade. My favorite young books of all, that I recall, were the Tom Swift, Jr. series. Tom Swift, Jr. was an engineer who owned a company with his dad and he would build contraptions to resolve major, usually world, conflicts. In high school days, my favorite books were Lord of the Rings, with seconds to A Farewell To Arms and Walden.

Who are the three authors you think everyone should be required to read-which books would you start with?

It's hard to say because it depends on age. Some authors that I would think of as being nearly critical might not apply until later days. Obviously, for very young kids, books by Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein would top my list. In later years, Hemingway, Thoreau and Emerson are important. I would also recommend Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, 1984 by George Orwell, and everything by Isaac Asimov, Larry Niven and Stanislav Lem.

If you couldn’t write, what other job would you like to have?

I guess playing a musical instrument by ear.

Which author would you pick first for your kickball team?

Larry Niven.

Reader Comments:

9/30/2006:

Jeff from Chestnut Hill wrote: I'm thrilled to hear Steve Wozniak is a fan of Larry Niven! Mr. Niven's "Known Universe" brings heady science and science fiction concepts down to a common, work-a-day level without sacrificing action, adventure, or entertainment. And Mr. Niven has a wry sense of humor that is always enjoyable.