Newcastle University

What do you think books meant to you back then, when you were a child?

A lot; I had no brothers and sisters, and mum was a home help, and during the school holidays she took me to visit, well mind she cleaned for the old ladies I had to sit in the corner and be quiet with a book. And so you’re there for 3 hours. Some of them didn’t like you to speak at all, so you read a book. I’ve always read books for pleasure. I think I’ve got a bit of a vivid imagination. I think it came from books. They still mean a lot.