I love to read.  I've been a bookworm all my life.  One of my earliest memories is of a set of fairytales in a box.  I remember being fascinated by them, the way they looked and smelt and the words and pictures.  I was sitting and reading them when my mother's friend rescued them from me.  I recall being upset because she thought I was too young to read!!  I was so sure I was reading.  Now of course, I'm not so sure, but I've never lost that early love of books.

I've read so many books that it's almost impossible to choose a favourite.   Instead I'm going to tell you about some of the books that made a difference in my life.  And about authors whose books I love.

Lord of the Rings This book really enthralled me.   I remember reading it almost non-stop when I was a teenager.  I borrowed it from the school library and read it under the desk, during lunchtime, after school, in bed, before breakfast, and back at school.  I don't recall getting into trouble for reading it, but I do know I read the whole thing from cover to cover in 24 hours.   Since then I've read it many times - it takes me much longer now as I don't want to miss anything.  I was given a copy for my birthday when I was doing Year 12 and it was a real effort of will not to sit down and read it while I was studying.  As soon as my final exam was over, it was the first book I read.

Anne McCaffrey I'm a great fan of the Dragon books and think I have just abou every Anne McCaffrey book published in Australia.  I have to admit that I'm disappointed in Anne's later work.  I loved her strong female characters and I feel that she has sold them out.  For what reason I don't know.   I still enjoy her books though, and my favourite characters are Menolly and Jaxom. 

Gordon R Dickson I've always enjoyed the Dorsai books and read them again every once in a while.

Raymond E Feist The Magician is terrific and I enjoy reading about Krondor.  However, my favourite books of his are the Empire books.  I find it fascinating that someone could build up such a complex society and make it all so believable.

Dick Francis One of my all time favourites.  I have so many Dick Francis books!  In fact, I have more than one copy of several of his books, as I've bought them, lent them to friends and family, bought them again, had the originals returned, and bought still more copies since living in Darwin (my books are in boxes in a garden shed in Melbourne).  I particularly enjoy the way that Dick's books have become more complex and interesting as he has grown as a writer.  He constantly outdoes himself and I'll keep buying his books as long as he keeps writing them.  My family are all Dick Francis fans too.

Ruth Rendell I'm going through a crime phase at the moment and have been enjoying the Inspector Wexford novels.  My sister, Janet, has been the one who buys these, but I've started buying them myself now.  I also enjoy Patricia Cornwall, Colin Dexter, Agatha Christie, and frequently borrow books from Janet's collection.