Books have always been a major part of my life and trying to choose a top five is like trying to pick a favourite cloud out of the sky - next to impossible. To choose these five, I set some criteria. I have read and enjoyed these books several times and I get something new out of them each time I read. To me that makes them classic reads. Here are my choices:

I, Robot by Isaac Asimov

Asimov's books were my introduction to science fiction. He is best known for the Foundation future history series, but these were hard going when I first started reading his books in the early 1980s. I have always preferred his short stories, especially the ones about robots. The three laws of robotics, made famous in the recent film (which, though watchable, in no way does justice to the breadth of Asimov's imagination) were first listed here. In the book, robo-psychologist Susan Calvin is recounting her experiences with robots. Their positronic brains can be a bit buggy and this can alter their behaviour in interesting ways. I liked all of Asimov's short stories and had difficulty in choosing one book. This one stands out because I still find it interesting. As a teenager, I was fascinated by the idea of robots, what they could do and how they might change our lives. Now, I'm blown away by the immensity of Asimov's vision. Given that the stories in this particular anthology were written in the 1940s and 1950s the concepts he proposes are radically forward thinking. Even today, technology hasn't fully caught up.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

It is a truth universally acknowledged ... that many people love this story. I first read this book at school. I have to confess to being a girly swot. Well, not really, but I used to read my literature books before term started so I could enjoy them before teachers leeched all the fun out of them. So in my O-level year, I shut myself away with Pride and Prejudice and got lost in the world of Eliza Bennett, Mr Darcy and others. I was enthralled. Despite the setting which was so far from my own experience, the characters and situations sprang to life and I read would end up with Mr Darcy, whether her sister Jane would marry Mr Bingley and what would become of the flighty Lydia. Austen's descriptions of characters and situations are unparalleled and the book is unputdownable. This is a book I have read and reread over the years and each time I get new enjoyment from it. Perhaps as I get older, I can see the perspectives of more of the characters, or perhaps it's just that it's a damn good read. This is one of my favourite books and if pushed, I would put it at the top of my list.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

This is another widely loved tale. The story of Jo, Beth, Amy and Meg growing up in genteel poverty in the US has something for everyone. Because the sisters are so different in personality, every reader can find someone to identify with. My favourite was Jo, the tomboy who was always getting into scrapes, but as I have read and reread it, I have come to appreciate Beth (who is gentle and good); Meg (sensible and good); and Amy (vain and foolish, but with a good heart). The lives, loves and traumas of these four sisters have moments of humour and of sadness. Almost everyone can find something to relate to in this great novel.

Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach

One of my favourite books of all time, this short, inspirational tale sold one million copies in its first edition and has continued to be a bestseller. Jonathan Livingston Seagull wants to rise above the ordinary, food-focused life of a seagull and explore the possibilities of flight. Despite its title, this book is not just about seagulls. It is a story about searching for excellence, finding it within yourself and helping others to do the same. I love it because of the sense of possibility it gives me. I always feel uplifted after I read it. Other good books by Bach include One and There's No Such Place as Far Away.

The Color Purple by Alice Walker

The story of Celie who is abused by her father then married off to an equally abusive husband, Mister, is told through her letters to her lost sister Nettie. Celie recounts her pain at the loss of her children and sister and bewilderment at some of the events of her life. When Mister introduces his new love Shug Avery into the household, Celie's transformation begins. Shug helps her to find a sense of self. The Black English vernacular takes some getting used to but it is worth persisting because this is a remarkable tale of triumph over severe adversity. Walker's Possessing The Secret of Joy, the tale of Nettie's life in Africa is also worth a read, though it is not for the fainthearted, as it deals with female circumcision.