Lorraine Candy: my five best books

I am obsessed with Antarctica and went on an expedition there 20 years ago. This haunting novel is about Scott’s ill-fated 1912 trip, and uncovers the arrogance of these upper-class male explorers, but also paints a beautiful picture of an untouched land and the human endurance needed to conquer it.

I have four kids, so I know this one off by heart. If I can’t sleep, I just recite it in my head. But one look at the cover makes me instantly melancholy about my babies growing up.

This is a crazy tale of a crazy man told by one of Rolling Stone’s funniest female writers. I am not entirely sure what’s true or what’s not, but it is a wild ride.

All midlife women should read this fact-filled, evidence-based book – it changed my life when I hit my late 40s. It explains the low risks associated with HRT, and defines the symptoms of perimenopause.

I love this humorous and spirited exploration of difficult women, which follows 12 characters, of different ages and generations, as they navigate life’s big questions. I encouraged my teenage daughters to read it.

This autobiography is the vibrant story of the author’s relationship with the photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, and of her love affair with New York City. I met Patti once and was so star-struck that I couldn’t think of a single thing to say, so we talked about hairstyles!