I am happy to admit that I love spending money on three things: Shoes, pampering spa treatments and books. I’ve even gone so far as to acquire a loyalty card at a certain bookshop because I buy so regularly.

Most often, I’ll get a recommendation or a response about a book while on a flight. Other times, it’s been a suggestion from a friend, a book club choice of Oprah’s and even plain intrigue with the hype surrounding a book that’s persuaded me to add it to a collection I’m rather fussy about. I don’t buy unless I know it’s going to be worth it. So here are my favourites.

My Harry Potter collection: My mom actually bought the first book for my brother. He didn’t really read it and it ended up on his shelf. While browsing a bookstore one day, I overheard people talking about it and so decided to read the book. I became a Harry fan and have gone on to collect the entire series.

“Perfume” by Patrick Süskind: This book is also Colin Moss’ favourite. I had a friend who wrote book reviews and he managed to find a copy at a wonderful 2nd hand bookstore in Jo’burg. He gave the book to me as a gift as we both shared a love of reading. Little did he know, I had been looking for the book so I think it was destiny that it found its way to me. It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and enticing pieces of literature I have ever come across.

“Confessions of a gambler” by Rayda Jacobs: I had never read South African literature before. While on a flight to Jo’burg, I sat next to a wonderful woman who also loved books. She told me all about the book but couldn’t remember the title. She gave me a description of the cover and I searched high and low to find this book. The book was passed on to family members and friends and we all agreed that Rayda Jacobs deserved the award she won for this work. It was the book that ignited my love for local fiction.

“Night” by Elie Wiesel: This was one of Oprah’s Book Club choices. I’ve had a fascination with World War Two since I was a child. I’ve read many stories set in that time but what I love about this book is the fact that it is autobiographical. It’s a quick read (I read it 2 hours or less) and every time it strikes a chord with me. It’s graphic, emotional and gives you a real understanding of the pain and suffering that occurred in the concentration camps. Along with “The Diary of Anne Frank”, I would encourage everyone to read this book a few times a year. It makes you thankful for the little things you take for granted.

“The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne: Again, I spotted this book on Oprah on a lazy Friday afternoon. The next day I bought it and read it flying between Cape Town and Jozi. All I can say is that this book will change your life. Most of its teachings are things I had already been doing in my own life but, I do read a few pages every now and then to remind myself that anything is indeed possible when you believe. It’s definitely a book everybody should own because you can apply it to your life regardless of your background, social standing, culture, religious or spiritual beliefs.