THE GIFT OF READING IS ONE OF THE GREATEST YOU CAN GIVE ANY CHILD

I absolutely adore books. I have done since I was very young. I remember my mam used to go to town every Saturday to get her hair blowdried (she still does) and I’d tag along with her. Before we went to the hairdressers we’d go to the library in the Ilac Centre. I’d pick out two books and start into one the moment we hit Peter Mark on O’Connell Street. I’d often have one finished by bedtime on Saturday and get through most of the second one on Sunday, certainly by Monday evening, when I’d start the first one again and read them both two or three times in the week. We got speaking to a librarian one day and she told my mam to apply for an adult’s card, which would allow us to take out six books at a time. So she did and I’d be delighted with my eight books every week. Then we got one in my dad’s name so I could get 14! I was a voracious reader. My absolute favourite was Roald Dahl, though I owned all of his books so didn’t have to bother the library for them. Enid Blyton was next on my list, then Judy Blume and the Sweet Valley High series as I got older. The joy of reading has never waned, I love it just as much now. There’s nothing quite like reclining poolside on a holiday and opening a new book on my Kindle – I know many book lovers are against them but having carried eight books at a time into and out of town every Saturday, being able to have so many in a tiny device is a wonder to me. I asked my cousin before Christmas what I could buy for her daughter, my godchild. When she told me she’d started reading her sister’s Roald Dahl books and really liked them, I couldn’t have been happier. I bought her the entire collection. The gift of reading is one of the greatest you can give to any child. Next Thursday is World Book Day and on page 24, you can find out the favourite childhood books of famous authors and how they helped shape their careers. So this week, buy a book, give it to a child – and treat yourself to one too while you’re at it.

On page 28, Nikki Gemmell tells the heartbreaking story of her mother’s death. She ended her own life after suffering chronic pain. Losing your mother is difficult enough but losing her in this way makes it almost impossible to deal with. Initially crippled by grief and guilt, Nikki eventually began to understand – and forgive. It’s a beautiful read.

Enjoy the issue!