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Born in North Yorkshire, Adele Parks, 57, studied English at the University of Leicester then worked in advertising. In 2000, she published her debut novel, Playing Away, and has since written a book every year. Her latest is Eyes on You. Her work has been translated into 31 languages and in 2022 she was awarded the MBE for services to literature. She is an ambassador for charities promoting literacy including the National Literacy Trust, which is collaborating with the Department for Education on the National Year of Reading 2026. Parks is married with a son, and lives in Surrey.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Speaking negatively to myself.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Laziness.
What was your most embarrassing moment?
When I concentrate, I put my thumb in my mouth. I once did it during a really important meeting when asked a question I didn’t know the answer to. When I left the meeting my friend said: “What did you put your thumb in your mouth for?” I didn’t know I’d done it.
Describe yourself in three words
Enthusiastic, resilient, empathetic.
What would your superpower be?
Teleportation – but with clothes. I don’t want to turn up anywhere naked.
What makes you unhappy?
Hopelessness – when people have stopped believing they can improve or a situation can improve.
If you could bring something extinct back to life, what would you choose?
My last cat, Lilac, to meet the new cats.
Who would play you in the film of your life?
Reese Witherspoon.
Who is your celebrity crush?
Taylor Swift, because her lyrics are so thought-provoking.
Which book are you ashamed not to have read?
I’ve never read any Salman Rushdie.
What was the last lie you told?
When people tell me about their book ideas, I never say: “Look, don’t bother – it’s never going to get published.” I go: “Go for it – you never know.”
What is your guiltiest pleasure?
Staying at home and playing Scrabble.
To whom would you like to say sorry, and why?
When I was in my 20s, I had an uncle who took his own life. I would like a second chance to say: “Hang in there.” My parents were living abroad, and me and my sister were just too young to notice the flags.
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What or who is the greatest love of your life?
Jim [Parks’s husband] will just have to deal with this, but words are the love of my life. I have Jim because of words, I have my life because of words.
What does love feel like?
A mix – safety to be yourself, acceptance, a feeling of peace and reliance, but also challenge, whether that’s intellectual or emotional.
If you could edit your past, what would you change?
I would become fitter younger. Because I would have been hotter younger!
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
A sushi chef in my kitchen.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
How much my son loves me, particularly considering I’ve had a huge career.
What keeps you awake at night?
Plots.
Would you rather have more sex, money or fame?
I really like sex and I think it’s so important because it’s about connection. I’m going with sex.
