If I have time to myself. . . I visit bookshops - I adore bookshops. And I read until my eyes fall out. I'm currently reading a children's book called Bec by Darren Shan. A bit gory for my taste, but a thrilling read. Also a book called Amy's Honeymoon which is great fun.

You wouldn't know it, but I am very good at. . .

wasting time on the internet. I have my own website. I love updating it and answering readers' emails.

When I was a child I wanted to be. . . a ballerina. I took ballet lessons until my teens and still have my tutus and point shoes stored away carefully for my daughter, Amy.

You may not know it but I am very bad at. . .

anything to do with my digital camera.

Especially printing out photos. My baby, Jago, is nearly one now and I have no printed photographs of him.

A book that changed me. . .Watermelon by Marian Keyes. It literally changed my life. I decided to write a book, inspired by Marian's story. Four years ago I left bookselling to write full time. And now my seventh has just been published. I'm a lucky girl. And I owe Marian a great debt.

Movie heaven. . . my favourite film of all time is Field of Dreams, a baseball film about following your heart.

All my money goes on. . . books! Novels, children's books, notebooks.

The soundtrack to my life. . . a mixture of Abba and Tom Waits. Not quite sure what that says about me! I adore Abba's timeless pop and Tom's remarkably original vision.

When the Boys are Away (Macmillan, Euro13.99) Author