MY LIFE IN BOOKS
One of our favourite authors, Della Galton, shares her own cherished books and authors
As a child I was a great fan of Enid Blyton. To the extent that my mum went to see my teacher to ask if that was OK as I never read anything else (she said yes, as long as I was reading it was fine, God bless her). The Faraway Tree was my favourite Enid Blyton, about a tree that had a magic portal in the uppermost branches that you could step through on a cer tain day of the week to gain access into a magic land. I seem to remember the land of cakes and sweets. I don’t think there actually was one! It’s funny how memories work. I also remember there being just one book but apparently there were a whole series. I’ve revisited them since growing up and they’re not the same. But I do vividly recall the magic of escape into fiction.
I have always loved books that made me laugh. Sophie Kinsella has been a huge inspiration. If you haven’t read Twenties Girl, go buy it immediately. It’s both moving and funny. Katie Fforde has also inspired me to write feel-good fiction. I love her books. I also love Milly Johnson.
There are lots of books I wish I’d written. Among them is The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Recently and more in my own genre I read a book called Big Sexy Love by Kirsty Greenwood, about a young woman’s quest to fulfil her best friend’s dying wish. I know it sounds unlikely but
The Life We Almost Had By Amelia Henley (HQ, PB, £7.99) This emotional love stor y follows the relationship between Anna and Adam who both believed they would be together forever. However, years later cracks begin to develop and Anna begins to question whether the pair are really destined to be together forever.
A cruel twist of fate then delivers a crushing this was a romcom with some laugh out loud moments as well as some ver y poignant ones. I loved it!
PG Wodehouse is a go-to author who makes me laugh. The Jeeves and Wooster series par ticularly. But I’ll also go to my favourite romcom authors and read their latest books.
My cousin Stefan in Switzerland gave me a hardback, The Willows in Winter written by William Horwood. It’s billed as the sequel to The Wind in the Willows. It wasn’t so much for the book but that it’s been passed down through our family. I’m the third generation to get it and it’s full of written dedications to each person.
I was a fan of The Time Travellers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. Follow ups are hard, so I was really surprised when I read her next book, Her Fear ful Symmetr y, and found that I loved it even more. blow to the pair forcing them to ask how much they’re really prepared to give their first love a second chance.
This cer tainly isn’t a typical love stor y – full of both hear tbreak and happiness this beautiful and emotional novel has it all, including a big twist. If you’re looking for something completely different to read this summer, this is a per fect choice.