Recently I was challenged by my Facebook friend, Jan McCulloch, to list seven books that were particularly important to me. The deal was to post one book cover per day and nominate someone else on take up the challenge. But it was meant to be without comment, so here is my list and why each book is important to me.

Day 1 - And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

This is in my list because it was the first book by Christie that I read.

Day 2 - A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway

This was the first book I read that didn't involve spaceships, time travel, hobbit's, murder, demon cars, dragons or mutant rats. But it is brilliant.

Day 3 - Death in a White Tie by Ngiao Marsh

Murder in 1930's high society - need I say more?

Day 4 - The Secret Garden by Francis Hodgson Burnett

The fact of the matter is that if this book hadn't been written, I would never have met my wife to be. You see, my wife played the part of Martha in the BBC adaptation from the 1970's, and it set her on a life course which eventually led to our meeting.

Day 5 - Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

A staggeringly good book from two of the most talented storytellers.

Day 6 - Day of The Triffids by John Wyndham

When I first read this as a teenager I knew I wanted to write, and I wanted to write something as gripping as this - superb.

Day 7 - Heavy Weather by P.G Wodehouse

No one writes quite like P.G Wodehouse writes, and no one writes comedy as well or as insightfully as this great man. Pure genius.