The love of An enjoyable book can have a lasting effect on our lives. These may stem from childhood memories of spending time reading with our loved ones or choosing our first library book.

As adults, we cosy up with our favourite read during the winter months and in warmer days they become our travelling companions. Some find love in books that satisfy our research for hobbies or of an academic nature. These days I have a variety of genres placed in most areas of my daily routines. I have the book I carry in my bag, usually poetry, where I can take a moment out of my daily walk and contemplate how words can be used in diverse ways and to explore language that brings emotions and creativity to life. 

I have the one in my car glove compartment that I can fall into whilst waiting for the children to come out of school. The coffee table book that I keep picking up between tasks, undecided if I am enjoying the plot, but too invested to stop. I have the pile of academic books on my bureau with coloured notes poking out as I navigate through my degree. Then there are the wonderful childhood stories I am blessed to read with my daughter before bed and relive, the magic of those first adventures where I journeyed through the pages of the fantastical. 

Lastly, I have the one that sits beside my bed, this has pride of place and is usually a classic or a new release and the one that gently nurses me to sleep. 

I love the rustic smell of old books and I find myself intrigued by their publishing origin and the materials, text and illustrations that have been used. What type of journey they have been on? and who were their readers? I take great delight in trawling through old book shops and breathing life back into unread pages. 

What are your 5 current reads for different spaces/ places? 

Written by Caroline Hancock