My earliest reading memory

The Central Library, located on Holloway Road in London, holds a special place in my childhood memories. My mother would often bring me here, and it quickly became my favorite spot. One time, when I learned that books had to be returned, I became upset and my lip started to tremble. To avoid causing a scene, my mother extended the loan for another week.

The book I loved the most during my childhood.

The stories follow a character named Milly-Molly-Mandy, a girl who dons a dress with pink and white stripes, resides in a thatched cottage, and enjoys twice-baked jacket potatoes filled with cheese. This way of life was something I admired then and still do now.

The book that had a profound impact on me during my teenage years.

The initial novel that brought tears to my eyes was Love Story by Erich Segal. It made me realize the power of storytelling to evoke emotion.

The author who altered my perspective

At the age of 24, I read Jonathan Safran Foer’s book Eating Animals which had a profound impact on my perspective towards eating meat and fish.

The book that sparked my desire to become a writer.

I was pleasantly surprised by the humor and honesty in High Fidelity, a book about love. When I met Nick Hornby, I mentioned that it had greatly influenced my own novel about heartbreak. He didn’t seem bothered by this, but I’m sure many authors have said the same thing to him.

I returned to the book or author.

I stopped paying attention to Ted Hughes while I was studying Sylvia Plath in college, just like how I would unfollow my best friend’s ex-boyfriend on Instagram. However, I have now revisited his poetry with a more unbiased perspective.

I read the book again.

The book “Heartburn” by Nora Ephron continues to resonate with me as I age, offering new insights each year. I often recommend it to those who are experiencing heartache.

The book that I am unable to reread

During my teenage years, I had a hidden fascination with Mills & Boon novels that I am not particularly eager to revisit, but I cannot rule out the possibility. I have considered indulging in it during the lockdowns.

The book that I came across in my later years.

I did not discover Graham Greene’s writing until I was 30, but I was immediately captivated by it and developed a deep appreciation for it.

is “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

I am currently reading the novel “The Great Gatsby” written by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Jordan Stephens’ memoir that’s out next year – Avoidance, Drugs, Heartbreak & Dogs. It’s like a song and a screenplay and a story all in one. It is brutally honest as well as poetic. I’m totally beguiled by it.

My comfort read

I keep a rotation of books on my shelf for emergencies, including the first two books in Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding, How to Eat by Nigella Lawson, Home Cooking by Laurie Colwin, A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle, One Day by David Nicholls, Love, Nina by Nina Stibbe, and any works by Nora Ephron. Each book holds a special place in my heart, like an old friend.

Source: theguardian.com