I think most writers are readers, it goes with the territory. I used to save reading for when I wasn’t writing, and I always read in a different genre.

You’ll find my books on bookshelves and any other available surfaces. At any one time I’ll have three or four books on the go. However, these days, if a book hasn’t drawn me in after the first couple of chapters, I don’t persevere. Life is too short and there are too many books.

Welcome to the latest edition of Books Spark Joy where authors talk about the books that make them sparkle and what's on their shelves. This week's guest is Barbara Hannay.

Find out why books bring joy to Australian debut author Cassie Hamer. After the Party out now.

Australian author Annie Seaton shares her favourite books and reveals the book that brings her the most joy.

Award-winning romance author Wendy Lee Davies tells all about her reading habits and what's on her bookshelf.

Even though books are exempt from any rare attempts to de-clutter, I do pass some onto family and friends and also like to support the local little street libraries

Books have been important to me since I was little. My parents were great believers in the empowerment of knowledge and the inspiration of story.

Stories are among the most powerful things we own – those we tell ourselves and those we tell others, truths big and small we strive to express just for the sake of telling them.