The question
Which book do you still mean to read, and why has it stayed on your list?Originally asked
The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A
A fixed Guardian Q&A prompt asked directly across respondents and years.
You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.
None. I’m not ashamed. I’m dyslexic so I don’t read a lot of books.
The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 July 2026 source ↗
This year, I was asked to be a judge for the Women’s prize for fiction and I’ve read 75 books in six months, so I’m parking shame for the time being.
Ulysses – I’ve tried many times and never got through it.
The Great Gatsby.
None. I love reading, and I read a good book and a bad book at the same time.
Alanis Morissette because, in my earlier career, she was a big influence on me and had a feistiness that you didn’t see much of in women in the industry. Also, she has been very vocal about mental health issues.
I’ve enjoyed every single job, including working at my dad’s chicken shop selling potato gems (fried potato circles) to the surfer dudes.
I worry a lot about how to juggle being a single parent and working – scheduling keeps me up at night!
Be true to yourself.
Forgetting the words to my own songs on stage. I’m a very good mumbler of my own songs. You’d be surprised how few people notice – if you smile and do it confidently, they’re none the wiser.
On the way here, because I was late.
Siobhán McSweeney, Romola Garai, Charlie Higson, Kerry Godliman, Andrew Ridgeley, Gregory Porter
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