Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel

I read and reread this book. You can pick it up, flip to any page and step right into the story. To me, this is Mastery with capital ‘M’. I love the imagery, how “writers’ rules” are broken in a way that makes you smile, and the wry humour.

Artful by Ali Smith

Fiction or essays. Both. Intense grief that doesn’t leave me feeling sad, but invigorated and inspired. The wisdom, the musings – it makes for a very compelling read.

Gilead by Marilynne Robinson

This is such a beautiful portrait of a man, his family and their world. It is impossible not to be moved. And once you have read this, you have to continue with Home and Lila – to see the story told from other perspectives.

Purge by Sofi Oksanen

Sofi Oksanen, a Finnish-Estonian novelist and playwright, takes on Estonia’s history and its relationship with Russia in Purge. A terrible crime, human frailty, love and obsession. It’s not an easy read, but disturbing and thought provoking.

Cloudstreet by Tim Winton

Cloudstreet is a wonderful read: beautiful, hilarious and so human. It’s the tale of two families who move into a rickety house on Cloud Street and the story of each of their family members. It’s impossible not to be moved.