IN HER OWN WORDS, WHY SHE LOVES THEM

A TALE OF TWO CITIES BY CHARLES DICKENS

This is a wonderful story of romantic and familial love set against the violence of the French Revolution. It is one of my favourite books by Charles Dickens and, in my humble opinion, one of his best!

THE RED NOTEBOOK BY ANTOINE LAURAIN

A clever, funny novel... a masterpiece of Parisian perfection.

THE SECRET COMMONWEALTH BY PHILIP PULLMAN

I have enjoyed every book that Philip Pullman has written and have followed Lyra through all her trials. This book [the second in the trilogy] is no exception, as we immerse ourselves in this fantasy’s mystical adventures. Storytelling at its best.

THE CAZALET CHRONICLES BY ELIZABETH JANE HOWARD

A multigenerational series by this brilliant author, of a British family before, during and after World War II. If I were sent to a desert island with one book this would be my choice!

RESTLESS BY WILLIAM BOYD

A wartime thriller featuring a resourceful woman in grave danger... a great read.

TRAVELS ON MY ELEPHANT BY MARK SHAND

My late brother’s tale of his love affair with Tara, an Asian elephant, on their journey across India...it always brings a tear to my eye.

THE SIMON SERRAILLER SERIES BY SUSAN HILL

Simon Serrailler, Susan Hill’s brilliant detective, is the central character in the great writer’s crime fiction novels...

THE ARCHITECT’S APPRENTICE BY ELIF SHAFAK

A magical, colourful tale set during the height of the Ottoman Empire.

A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW BY AMOR TOWLES

A wonderful book which gives the reader an understanding of life in post revolution Moscow, through the eyes of a Russian aristocrat sentenced to life in Moscow’s Metropol Hotel.