The first is from my childhood - about the time this picture was taken - yes, that's me, in the middle, with the big wings. I used to listen to story tapes at night when I was trying to get to sleep and one of my favourites was Children's Short Stories by Oscar Wilde. Remember The Happy Prince, The Devoted Friend, The Nightingale and the Rose and The Selfish Giant? I had these stories whispered into my ears as I lay there at night, ready to dream. They were great moral stories, but also so moving, they more than once brought me to tears. They still do. (Okay, I'm a big softy.) I like to listen to them when my son plays them on CD, not the same narrator now, sadly, but wonderful still. I've bought them for both my Kindle and a book they're so integral to my life. Moving emotional, sometimes religious; stories that helped shape my young mind.
My second book is Dreaming of You, by Lisa Kleypas. This was the book that brought me back to reading after years in the wilderness. It was so filled with drama and emotion and great chemistry that I couldn’t put it down. She is probably to date my most read author. I love her historical romances.
And finally The Notebook, by Nicholas Sparks. This had to be in there. As an avid movie-goer, this was the first book where I could actually say, ‘I’ve read that,’ before I saw it on screen. Such beautifully woven layers of love, great passion and heartbreak all wrapped up in one story. That was the kind of love story I wanted to write.
So that's me and my literary gems. If you would like to share the 3 most important books in your life, pleases, do get in touch.