Sammy Leslie Hotelier and businesswoman
I'm quite picky about what I read, but if I'm stuck I'll read anything. There's nothing wrong with an airport blockbuster when you just want brain candy. Otherwise, I suppose I'd read what I'd term serious books. At the moment I'm reading The Triple Bottom Line, by Andrew Savitz, which is about the social and environmental impact of business. I always have a couple of business-related book on the go, as well as pleasure books. It doesn't bother me having several books at one time – being female, I can multitask! It depends what you're in the mood for: you could be in a business frame of mind, yet at other times you want to switch off and take yourself into another world. I've just finished Committed, by Elizabeth Gilbert; it's a book that should be read by everybody, a fascinating view of relationships and our perception of them. It's a very heartening book, too, especially if you're single and in your 40s. On my hit list to read next is The Shape of Her, by Rowan Somerville, one of my favourite authors, who has a beautiful turn of phrase. I read all year round; in the winter it tends to be in a hot bath, with a glass of wine and candles, reading until I go really wrinkly. In the summer it's curling up under a tree or on the beach.
As told to Tony Clayton-Lea
