Five Ws of reading

10 May, 2026

The Wry Writer and Explicating Elle have done Five Ws of reading posts which is a lovely idea. So here's mine.

WHO - An author you would love to have a 'One to One' with

Maybe Andrea Wulf. I love the style of her books but also the people and themes she chooses to write about. Or Emma Donoghue, her interests are also diverse. Unless I can cast Speak With Dead, then it's a whole other question.

WHAT - What genre do you most gravitate to

At risk of sounding wanky, literary and "the classics." I'm not going to say romance because that is so reluctantly. I find so few things to scratch my specific itches. Also fantasy and scifi.

WHERE - Where do you prefer to read

Outside! Lying in the grass. With a Pepsi to hand.

WHEN - What time of day do you prefer to read

A lot of my reading is done first thing in the morning but ideally later afternoon or early evening. While I'm winding down but not yet too sleepy.

WHY - Why is your favorite book your favorite book

No idea! I was as surprised as anyone. It seized me. Except I suppose the language, the humour, the subtext... it's all very 'me'.

BONUS - How do you go about selecting what you will read next

I wish I knew. I have lists but I'm constantly upsetting them, going off half-cock. I'm very suggestible so whenever I see something or someone mentions something I'm off. Also I'm always reading at least eight books at once so 'next' is pretty fluid.