JANE FALLON ESCAPE ROUTE

Introducing our holiday reading special, the best-selling author tells us why reading is such a magical pastime, how she indulges her habit while on holiday and which books always take her to a happy place

- LAURA BENJAMIN  

Jane Fallon will readily admit she is the “worst person in the world” to go on holiday with. The best-selling author isn’t a fan of the beach or the pool and can’t sit still for long. City breaks are more her thing.

But one thing she does have in common with most holidaymakers is the desire to devour a good book or two while getting away from it all.

“For me, reading takes you out of your real life and transports you to something else,” she tells hello!. “I find it so relaxing and such a great way of calming my brain down. I think it’s one of the most mindful things you can do – it’s pure escapism.”

When she does get away from it all, she is never without a book as she takes in the sights. “My idea of heaven is sitting in a cafe, people-watching, with a book on my phone at the same time,” she says. “I will always have a physical book on the go and one on my phone so I’m never caught out.”

SHORT AND SWEET

Jane, 62, is also a big fan of short stories and she is delighted to introduce this year’s summer reading special in hello! – 22 pages packed with great tales from some of the country’s best authors.

“The best short stories to me are a snapshot, as they’re not trying to include too much,” she says. “It’s a moment in people’s lives that gives you an insight.