Angie Spoto on the book she recommends to everyone, reading the books of her childhood to her son, and her favourite place to read.
The first book I remember reading:
Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of Rings – I read them so fast when I was a kid. I couldn’t get enough of the gorgeous world Tolkien created. I just wanted to be there all the time. I recently read The Hobbit to my son, and I fell in love with it all over again. Reading that book is like going on an adventure in an ancient forest.
A book I recommend to everyone:
The Hacienda by Isabel Canas – this book is the perfect blend of gothic, romance and historical. The writing is so lush and evocative. There was definitely a moment where I couldn’t read this at night, but it’s more creepy than scary – just how I like my horror. You’ll fall in love with the characters, too.
The best books I have read in this year:
The Last Unicorn by Peter Beagle (a gorgeous fairy tale with Lud-In-The-Mist vibes), Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas (a pacey YA romance steeped in Latin American folklore), and Witch Hat Atelier by Kamome Shirahama (an absolutely delightful graphic novel about a girl who wants to be a witch).
A book I didn’t finish/enjoy:
A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon. I think contemporary ‘cosy’ romance like this just isn’t for me, despite its fantasy elements. I have been reading more ‘light’ novels as of late, but I prefer something richer like the Emily Wilde books.
An author that has inspired me:
Ursula Le Guin. She’s such a brilliant writer who has crafted stories across science fiction and fantasy that just stick with you. Every year, I re-read the Earthsea series, and although it was originally written for children, these books just get better and better with (my) age. She was also a thoughtful and erudite speaker and thinker who was ahead of her time.
My favourite place to read:
In my cosy home office (think: mushroom décor, lots of books, sheepskin rugs, and a gorgeous old oak school desk) or else my favourite coffee shop not far from the sea, where I always get myself a perfect oat flat white. 
The Bone Diver by Angie Spoto is published on 10 October in hardback (£16.99) by Black & White Publishing Ltd., part of Bonnier Books UK.
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