MY SIX BEST BOOKS
ANN WIDDECOMBE, 70, is a former Tory MP and a Daily Express columnist. She has appeared in several reality TV shows, notably Strictly Come Dancing, and written five novels including The Dancing Detective. She is appearing at Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival tomorrow: harrogate internationalfestivals.com ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT
by Erich Maria Remarque
Vintage, £8.99 I’ve read this several times. It’s a vivid depiction of war and its utter futility for ordinary human beings.
We see the First World War from the enemy’s side and, everything they went through, our own soldiers were going through as well. It inspired one of my books. THE JUNGLE BOOK
by Rudyard Kipling
Penguin, £6.99 My favourite children’s book, although The Wind In The Willows comes close. I’ve read it many times since I was about eight. The reactions of Mowgli and the animals are a good description of human relations. THE ESCAPE OF CHARLES II
by Richard Ollard
Robinson, £10.99 Charles II’s escape to France was an incredible story. There were times when Cromwell’s troops missed him by seconds. You’d think a king would be sheltered by the Catholic aristocracy but he was helped by an assortment of millers, servants and woodcutters.
A fairy story in the middle of real history. SELECTED POEMS
by Thomas Gray
Bloomsbury, £10.99 Gray wrote Elegy Written In A Country Churchyard and also wrote the immortal line in Ode On A Distant Prospect Of Eton College: “Where ignorance is bliss, ’tis folly to be wise.” His poems are comprehensible and have something to say. EVEREST 1953
by Mick Conefrey
Oneworld, £9.99 This kept me up at night. It’s very exciting and also covers the background and politics of the Hillary expedition. I’ve never had any interest in mountaineering but this was a historical feat. It’s man versus the worst forces of nature. THE NETHER WORLD
by George Gissing
OUP, £9.99 He was dwarfed by Dickens and Hardy but is unjustly overlooked. This is a love story set against a background of grinding poverty. It’s very depressing but it’s a wonderful picture of Victorian life and I had it in mind when I was appearing in the reality show The Victorians. To order any of the books featured, post free (UK only), please phone The Express Bookshop on You may also send a cheque made payable to or postal order to: or you can order online at www.expressbookshop.com