[Surfergirl]

My mum used to read a bit, but it was my dad who instilled a love of reading. I used to get books as presents at Christmas, birthdays, etc (my sister used to complain that she got "The Little Mermaid" whilst I got books about dinosaurs!). My dad used to walk miles to get to his favourite used bookshop, and I think that's where I got my fascination with them - it's almost painful to walk past one without going in for a browse.

My best friend was my library card when I was young. We had a beautiful library when I lived in Glasgow - it was part of an old stately home, and was set in the middle of a park - and I think I almost lived there. I was always encouraged to read, except when I read at the dinner table whilst I was eating - then I got the "can't you take your nose out of that book for 5 minutes?" complaint.

I got out of the reading habit when I started working, but after I got myself my Sony (had to import it from the States when it was first released, because I was so desparate to have one), I've re-discovered my love of reading and now go through at least one book a week. Fantastic!!