Martina Cole

Tell us about a time that reading had a positive impact on you.

I have loved books since I was a small child, when my father, a merchant seaman, brought home from his travels a cardboard theatre. When I opened the crimson faux velvet curtains, hidden behind them were the smallest books I had ever seen. The stories they contained were all old Aesop fables, and fairy tales, and I was entranced.

What do you love about reading?

I love losing myself in other people’s lives, it relaxes me.

Can you recommend a read to our Reading Ahead participants?

Call of the Wild by Jack London would be a great adventure to start your reading journey, I also love Spike Milligan’s poetry which always brings a smile to my face.