My Fictional World

As regular readers will know, I love escaping within the pages of a good book. I can be sat on my sofa, but be dining in Paris, dancing through the streets of Brazil or strolling in the sunshine in Miami. Or, even in a totally fantastical world, like none I’ve ever experienced before. My favourite, is to be here in the UK, but around 200 years ago, sashaying round ballrooms with earls. All of them take me elsewhere, and a great novel will absorb me and allow me to forget about everything around me.

I thought it’d be fun to share my literary favourites here, and invite you to do the same, with a Q&A meme. Now you’ll notice that in most cases, I’m not limiting your selections to just one or two, as we all know…

So, on with the questions…

What were your favourite reads from your childhood?
I loved The Animals of Farthing Wood. I can still vividly remember reading it and all of the characters are so real to me. I still have my copy, ready for the kids to enjoy (I hope!). I also loved Roald Dahl, especially The BFG, lots of Judy Blume novels and I had all of Enid Blyton’s St Clare’s books.

There are always those books that defined your teen reads and stay with you – what were yours?
I read Virginia Andrews’ Flowers in the Attic series, and they have stayed with me – the characters and plots are still as clear in my mind today as if I hadn’t read them over 20 years ago. I also liked Jilly Cooper’s Riders series, Stephen King’s earlier titles, and Mary Jane Staples’ Adams family books.

Who are your favourite authors currently?
Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, Sarah Maclean, Carole Matthews, Lynsay Sands, Richard Laymon, Dean Koontz, I fear I could go on and on…

Which 3 genres do you gravitate towards most often?
Regency Romance, Chick Lit and Horror.

Can you choose your top titles from each of those genres?
Regency Romance – would have to be the Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn, starting with The Duke and I.
Chick lit – I loved the first few of Kinsella’s Shopaholic books, and really enjoyed Sarah Addison Allen’s Garden Spells
Horror – Jay Anson’s The Amityville Horror. Scariest book I’ve read.

And your least favourite genres?
I struggle with Sci-fi. I’ve dabbled with fantasy, but need to be in the mood for it, though I do enjoy Terry Brooks. I rarely choose political or religious books.

Of the many, many fictional and fantastical worlds, where would you most like to visit?
Hogwarts would be fun, of course, similarly I always fancied Miss Cackle’s Academy (The Worst Witch). Pemberley would be my ultimate choice.

Everyone loves a villain, right?! Who would make your favourites list?
I love Hannibal Lecter. Yes, I know he’s a serial killer and all, but in ‘Hannibal’ I couldn’t help but like him! I also have a soft spot for Count Dracula 😉

Share the books that have had you sobbing?
So many! Marley and Me – I cried throughout the last third of it! Fabulous book, though, as it also had me laughing out loud. The Lovely Bones is brilliant, and I’m just about to read The Help, and as I cried a lot at the film, I’m kind of guessing the book will have me in bits.

And let’s end on a high! Which books leave a smile on your face, and maybe elicit a few laughs?!

I liked Bridget Jones’ Diary, the Shopaholic books & Bridgerton series that I’ve mentioned, Lynsay Sands’ Argeneau series, Tom Sharpe’s Wilt books, and I’m sure there are many more that I can’t recall right now…!

So that’s a bit about my reading preferences, now I’d love to hear yours?

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