My bookshelf doesn’t really tell the story of my life because I’ve given away so many books. If I’d kept them all, it would certainly plot the arc of my life ...

It's been a while since we've had a Books Spark Joy post but this week's guest is one worth waiting for! Historical fiction author Emily Madden's love of books started at a young age. Nothing has changed – she rarely leaves a bookstore without a book and I can testify to that - Emily and I were both at the pop-up bookstore in Millthorpe last week and she definitely had a stack of books in hand!

One book that sparks joy for me is Alice in Wonderland. When I pick it up, it generates memories of an old Disney animated film, a 45rpm vinyl soundtrack, Book Week costumes ...

"There’s something comforting about having pretty spines to stroke, covers to smile over, pages that flip open to favourite scenes. They have a tactile loveliness that ebooks will never have and that I miss hugely."