Alison Flood is the Guardian books reporter, she also writes for The Bookseller (her paperback preview is a must read for me) and has kindly agreed to be one of the five judges for our first LoveReading Very Short Story Award. I always find the answers to the question on book habits fascinating, and particularly love Alison’s answer to who she would love to see as a fictional character turned author... 

Tell us about your role in the book world.

I am the books reporter for the Guardian. I also review thrillers for the Observer, write The Bookseller's monthly paperback preview, and freelance for a range of other publications on books. 

How did you arrive in the industry?

I started out as The Bookseller's senior reporter, more than ten years ago. 

What three words best sum up your job?

Fascinating, fun, esoteric 

Which fictional character or person from history would you love to read a book by (why is that?) and what type of book do you think it would be?

I'd love to read a book by Scarlett O'Hara, because I think it would be passionately romantic and absolutely bonkers, just like her (Gone With the Wind has been my go-to comfort read for many years). 

Describe your favourite place to read.

On the sofa in the kitchen, looking at the garden now and then with a cup of tea and some chocolate digestives by my side. Oh, and the cat on the top of the sofa, and the puppy next to me (this rarely happens as they hate each other). 

What’s your favourite book from childhood, how did it make you feel?

The Song of the Lioness by Tamora Pierce, a fantasy novel about a girl who disguises herself as a boy to become a knight. It made me feel anything was possible! 

Hbk, pbk, ebook?

Probably paperback - but I'll read in any format I have to! 

Book Shelfie: could you take a picture of your favourite bookshelf?

Any strange book habits?

I am a destroyer of books - I break spines and turn over pages. Sorry. 

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