Jenny Colgan is one of Scotland’s leading novelists, bringing readers warm, funny and uplifting romances that are addictive and unique. To celebrate the publication of her latest novel, Close Knit, we asked Jenny to tell us her five favourite novels from her favourite women writers.

Close Knit
By Jenny Colgan
Published by Hodder & Stoughton

Middlemarch by George Eliot

It’s got this reputation as being starchy and difficult and it isn’t at all, it’s gossipy and romantic and thoroughly engrossing. Honestly, do yourself a favour just let yourself get lost in it.

Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons

Everyone feels this novel is special to them, it always feels like you’ve just discovered it. So funny and joyous and lovely.

Standard Deviation by Katharine Heiney

One of the funniest, most human novels ever written. Everyone who reads it just loves it to death.

The Long Drop by Denise Mina

Scotland is full of crime writers, and I think Denise is amongst the very best: this thrilling, true life crime story is absolutely sensational.

The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O’Farrell

This is just one of the saddest books ever written; I have never forgotten it. Maggie writes on all sorts of subjects but I think this is her masterpiece.

Close Knit by Jenny Colgan is published by Hodder & Stoughton, priced £16.99.