‘I feel I’m leaving behind some good friends’
Weather presenter Carol Kirkwood shares why books are so important to her
Her smile brightens up our screens on BBC’S Breakfast every morning and, away from work, weather presenter Carol is also a successful novelist and voracious reader. ‘I become embroiled in the characters and their lives,’ she says. ‘By the time I reach the end of the book, I feel I am leaving behind some very good friends, and I want to know what happens to the characters next. I’m sad when I finish a book.’ With her second novel, The Hotel On The Riviera, out on 21 July, Carol shares the books that have shaped her.
My favourite childhood book was…
Cinderella by the Brothers Grimm.
I loved all the different elements of it. Cinders was a good person who was treated so badly by her stepmother and stepsisters, yet she rose above it all, and through kindness – and a little help from her fairy godmother! – found her Prince Charming and lived happily ever after.
The character from a book I relate to most is…
Bridget Jones. She is such a real character and I think there is a little bit of Bridget in all of us. Her life is a bit chaotic, but she has a loyal circle of friends who would do anything for her, she’s determined and successful, and she likes a glass of wine!
The funniest book I’ve read is…
Simon’s Cat by
Simon Tofield. My cat Donald passed away in lockdown. He was almost 21. Simon’s Cat captures Donald’s characteristics, mannerisms and foibles perfectly, especially walking up and down me in bed at the crack of dawn when he wanted to be fed. I am sure many cat lovers can relate to this. It always brings a smile to my face.
My all-time favourite book is…
Gone With The Wind by
Margaret Mitchell. I was so proud that I’d read such a thick book as a teenager! You can’t help but get involved in the story. But I have to admit that I felt dissatisfaction as Scarlett and Rhett did not have a happy ending. Even to this day, that’s left me a bit discombobulated.
The book that inspired me to write novels is…
Pride And Prejudice by Jane Austen. Her books have all stood the test of time, and this is my favourite; it’s such a wonderful and romantic novel. Austen’s use of language and visual imagery brings her books to life.
The book I recommend to everyone is…
The Tattooist Of Auschwitz by Heather Morris. A friend lent me a copy and I couldn’t put it down. I was transfixed by the horror of what was happening, but it also offered hope in the face of despair, as a love story evolved. Since then, I’ve devoured Heather Morris’s novels.