The Rings of Saturn by W. G. Sebald because he connects places with history in the most extraordinary, enlightening and moving way.

Holes by Louis Sachar. A book for any age of reader. Dialogue that grips you by the throat and a narrative of great inventiveness and surprise.

Restoration by Rose Tremain. For me, Rose Tremain’s writing is like poetry, I want to savour every word and learn passages by heart, like songs. I love Tremain’s boldness in how she uses her imagination and allows us to know others’ experiences.

The Shipping News by Annie Proulx. I like a book to transport me somewhere else. Proulx’s writing does that for me so forcefully I can feel the salt on my lips.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Her characters are perfectly drawn and her emotional dramas subtle and complete.

Click below for further question and answers

• > What are your 5 favourite books, and why?
• > What was your favourite book when you were a child?
• > Who is your favourite hero in a book?
• > Who is your favourite villain in a book?
• > If you could be a character from a book who would you be?
• > If you could recommend just one book for everyone to read what would it be?
• > What book do you wish you had written?
• > Who or what was your biggest influence in deciding to become a writer?
• > What inspired you to write your latest book Montacute House?
• > When did you start writing?
• > If someone wanted to be a writer what would be your number one tip for them?
• > Is there any particular routine involved in your writing process (favourite pen, lucky charm)?
• > Do you have any abandoned stories in you ‘bottom drawer’ that you would like to revisit?