A Few of Cathy Kelly's Favourite Things

We checked in with bestselling author Cathy ahead of the publication of her latest novel The Island Retreat - out 26th February. She very kindly told us about her new book (read the first chapter now!), what she's been up to, and shared some of her current favourite reads and more.

I think The Island Retreat is my twenty-fourth book (I lose count - dyscalculia?) and I'm so excited about this book because it's (hopefully) both fun and deep. I think many of us dream of having all our tricky hang-ups removed by a fabulous therapist and doing it in the blissful, sun-drenched island of Corfu is the icing on the cake. Rose Talisman, my heroine, is both feisty and fun and I'd love if she were real!

EXCLUSIVE: Read the first chapter from The Island Retreat

What I've been reading...

Since I saw you all, I've moved house and reading keeps me calm at night in the midst of all the boxes! I've been reading Karen Swan's utterly engrossing new novel (March) Three Summers, set in glorious Italy about three summers that change lives. A beautifully told family saga that grips from the start.

Also Sandwich, by Catherine Newman which is so brilliantly written that you feel as if you're earwigging on the conversations between Rocky, her husband and their grown up kids as they summer at the beach.

I loved Marie Cassidy's Deadly Evidence and adore her heroine, state pathologist Terry O'Brien. Marie's brilliance at combining a story with riveting behind-the-scenes expertise makes this a page turner.

Entertainment lawyer Niamh Hargan is ultra cool in person and her novel, Nothing Good Happens After 2am is also cool, vibrant and unputdownable. Set in the glamorous world of elite bars across continents, Niamh's story of mixologists Robbie and El will keep you gripped. Someone's definitely going to make a TV series out of this!

My favourite things right now...

Jigsaw puzzles are on my list. I have never been stumped by one but eventually gave up with the very beautiful Celestial Planisphere Early Cartography (impossible for me...) and am now doing The World of Jane Austen.

Been listening to Philip Pullman's back catalogue as I want to read the latest and last novel about the wonderful Lyra.

All-time fav hobbies: crafts. Am currently in a frenzy of bracelet weaving. Am using a homemade box for this but really need a little beading loom.