Books have a vital place in our culture. They are the source of ideas, of stories that engage and stretch the imagination and most importantly, inspire.

History at its best is a gritty, dirty business.

There is something particularly fascinating about seeing places you know in a piece of art - be that in a film, or a photograph or painting.

History is full of blank spaces, but good stories, invariably, are not.

I've always had a keen sense of history. My father was an antiques dealer and he used to bring home boxes full of treasures, and each item always had a tale attached.

I believe the era of the militant lady is back.

She wishes her grandmother had not been so protective, and that she understood better what passes between a man and woman. As it is, she simply enjoys the feelings and wonders if they are what lightning is made of, for everything comes back to the weather. Tears like rain. Smiles like the sun. Hair as dry as sand and fear like the dark ocean.