Occasionally over the years I have also kept lists of books that I have read and I have put some of these on my website and will feature a selection in some coming blogs.
Comfort books come in all shapes, sizes and subjects. In one particular period of struggle which I won't go into at the moment, my life was calmed by a biography of my favourite band Barclay James Harvest. That book really kept me going.
I am currently reading The Echo Chamber by John Boyne who is one of my favourite authors. This isn't being read to get me through a tough time - far from it. But I will always associate it with a particular time and place. I will divulge the reason for this in a couple of weeks' time.
It's a very funny book. Well to my mind it is. I think on reflection it's one of those books that you will either love or hate, depending on your outlook in life.
I have read lots of John Boyne and he is one of my favourite authors. Some of his narratives are set in Norfolk as he is a graduate of the University of East Anglia's creative writing course which has given us so many top authors.
Boyne is best known for his book which was actually written with older children in mind - The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas.
Some of Boyne's work is very serious, tackling subjects like paedophilia and religion. Others are funny and light-hearted. You could say that you never know what you are going to get. If you've never read any of his books, do give them a go. Let me know what you think of them.
Norwich of course is an International centre for literature and deservedly so. After all it's where I come from and I am to literature what Hitler was to international relations.
There are writing/writers groups all over Norfolk and all over the UK. Amateurs like me (although as a journalist I could probably claim to be a professional) who just love the written word and how it can be used to share ideas and much more.
Without writing I would be a shadow of the person that I am - ok hands up all those who said that might be a good thing?
Yes yes I know I need to shed some pounds but all those cakes are so tempting and somebody has to eat them.