MY SIX BEST BOOKS
RUBY BENTALL, 30, played housemaid Minnie in the BBC drama Lark Rise To Candleford and appears as Verity in the current TV adaptation of Poldark. She opens in Hogarth’s Progress at the Rose Theatre, Kingston, on September 13. Rosetheatrekingston.org
WOLF HALL by Hilary Mantel
Fourth Estate, £9.99 I love the character of Thomas Cromwell even though he’s a terrible man. Mantel makes you obsessed with him and you’re transported right into his world. She is one of the best at recreating the excitement and dirt of the time.
HOW TO BE BOTH by Ali Smith
Penguin, £8.99 This is two stories, one set in the Renaissance and one more modern. It’s about a person who is mourning. I picked it up because I liked the cover but if I lose anyone close, I think I’ll reread it because she writes about it so eloquently.
NO IS NOT ENOUGH by Naomi Klein
Penguin, £9.99 I don’t often read non-fiction but a friend said this was great. Klein writes about Trump and it’s a sort of call-to-arms book for anyone who is not happy with the politics of the moment. It’s full of fascinating stuff you hadn’t realised was going on behind the scenes.
A GIRL IS A HALF-FORMED THING by Eimear McBride
Faber, £8.99 This seems impossible to read because it’s a person’s inner thoughts without normal sentences. But I couldn’t let it defeat me.
You have to let it wash over you and eventually your brain can process it. Then it’s an incredible, sad story about a woman who has been abused.
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE by Jane Austen
Penguin Classics, £12.99 Austen is the best ever – she’s hilarious. Sometimes you read a sentence and it’s so perfectly formed you have to read it a few times.
It’s a love story and who doesn’t want that? But it’s not mushy and obvious and the characters have flaws.
BALLET SHOES by Noel Streatfeild
Puffin, £6.99 This was my mum’s [Janine Duvitski] favourite when she was little and I’m sure it was the reason I wanted to be an actress as well.
It’s about three stage kids who are adopted and it seems so exciting and real. I wanted to be someone like that, who does it properly and really well.