Let’s Talk Books… with K.T./Kate Dady
Welcome to the third in my series of author/bookish people interviews. As you probably know by now I absolutely love books and reading, and I know many other people do, too. I thought it would be nice to chat to some of my bookish friends and find out about the books they love, and the reading experiences they’ve had.
The series began in March with Eliza J Scott, and continued in early April with Jessica Redland. My guest this time is another lovely friend, K.T. Dady, who writes small town fiction under that name, but also writes romantasy as Kate Dady.
K.T./Kate Dady
Welcome to the blog, Kate, and thanks for taking part. Can you remember the first book you ever read or owned?
I can't remember the first book I read, but I do remember reading Janet and John. They were school books that helped teach children to read.
Oh gosh, yes. I remember Janet and John very well. I remember Peter and Jane, too! I wonder if those books are still around? What was your favourite book when you were a child?
My favourite book as a child was Grimble. It's so funny.
Now, I have to be honest and say I’d never heard of Grimble. I looked it up on Amazon but there were several different versions by different authors. I’m guessing, though, that you mean the book by Clement Freud, written in 1968? It seems to be very hard to get hold of a copy but I’ve attached an image to give readers an idea of what it looks like.
Grimble by Clement Freud
If you were going to reread one children’s book now, which would you choose and why?
I'm thinking perhaps, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It's just so good.
Oh yes! I absolutely loved Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. I remember our teacher reading a little bit of it to us each night, and I loved (still love!) the film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, starring Gene Wilder. What’s your favourite book as an adult, and why is it your favourite?
I have a few favourite books as an adult. The Grapes of Wrath. A Chrismas Carol. A lot of the old classics. They just stay with you long after reading.
Indeed they do. I try to reread A Christmas Carol every year. Do you write in your favourite genre? If not, which genre/s do you love to read?
Even though I've been a hobby writer since childhood, and I write anything that comes to mind, I write mostly in my favourite genre, which is romance, simply because I'm a huge fan of love, especially soulmates. And all the tropes are brilliant.
You’re so right. It’s a real shame that romance continues to be underrated and undermined. It’s such a popular genre, and you’re right about the tropes! Now, this might be a tricky question to answer, but which of your own books is your favourite, and why?
Ooh, tough choice. I'll choose Starlight Cottage. It's the first book in my Pepper Bay series, and that series made me a full-time writer.
Click to buy on Amazon
Aw, and that was such a sweet story, too! Good choice. Talking of your own books, which of them has your favourite cover and why?
Again, I'm going to pick Starlight Cottage, simply because it was one of my first attempts at making a book cover on Canva. It's not great, but it makes me smile, as it reminds me how far I have come since then.
You certainly have come a long way since you published that book. I hope you’re very proud of all you’ve achieved! Who is your favourite book character? Why do you like them so much?
There are so many brilliant book characters out there, and there are loads I love by Dickens, as he really knew how to write a character. The Artful Dodger, for one.
Dickens was a master without doubt. I love all the quirky names he picks for his characters, too! What’s your favourite book to TV/film adaptation?
Not sure I have a favourite, but they did a good job of Sally Rooney's Normal People. The Grapes of Wrath film is pretty decent. Ooh, and I love the TV series Pride and Prejudice. Colin Firth coming out of the lake will never grow old.
Haha, you’re right there! I’ve watched The Other Bennet Sister recently and absolutely loved that, too. There were some sweet nods to the 1995 Pride and Prejudice adaptation - not least the fact that Mary’s loyal servant, Hill, was played by Lucy Briers, who played Mary in the earlier adaptation! It’s always good to return to the world of Jane Austen. What’s the most beautiful or precious book you’ve ever owned? Why is it so special?
The books most precious to me are the ones I still have from childhood. My Secret Seven collection, for example.
Click to buy on Amazon
Yes, I know just what you mean. The books that have been with me since childhood will always have a special place in my heart. Sometimes, when I close a book I just feel so awed by the writing or moved by the story that I can’t help thinking, Wow, I wish I’d written that! Which book do you wish you’d written?
Oh, this is an easy one. The Mr Men. There is a certain skill to the less-is-more technique. If you get it right, your work becomes timeless. Mr Bump was always my favourite.
What a fabulous answer! I love how the books are continuing to evolve, too. I have a few of the Doctor Who Mr Men books, which are fun, and I’ve seen the Agatha Christie Mr Poirot and Little Miss Marple books advertised. They look great! Finally, Kate, can you tell us about your next book?
My next book is the third book in the Butterbrook series - Kindness Heals in Butterbrook - and is Josie's story. As with all the novellas in this series, the story focuses on kindness as a main theme. The release date is May 5th.
Click to buy on Amazon
Thanks so much for being here today. I wish you lots of luck with your writing ventures and a happy publication day for May 5th!
If you’re a romantasy fan and you’d like to read Kate Dady’s debut in the genre, Ring of Fire, click the image below!
Click to buy on Amazon
