Paloma Faith is a singer, songwriter, actor and presenter, recently taking on an acting role in the Batman prequel series Pennyworth.

Here, Faith explores the best loved books of her life, which she would line up on her Fantasy Bookshelf. The performer discusses the novel which has changed the way she thinks, shares the villain shed love to voice most and reveals the book she has a whole pile of in her living room.

Revolting Rhymes by Roald Dahl. I remember loving the Little Red Riding one in particular because I thought it wasso funny when it said she pulled the pistol from her knickers. I would ask my dad to read that line over and over again.

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and Horse by Charlie Mackesy. I bought six copies and now any kid who has a birthday, I just give it to them because Ive got a pile of them in my living room.

Thats what all kids, to save the world, need to read because its about kindness. The first page is like, Whats the bravest thing you could do? and then it says, Ask for help. If you want to bring up a solid kid, read them that every night.

I would love to be Cruella de Ville in 101 Dalmatians.

I think the biggest life changing book that I ever read, that really shifted the way that I think and my perspective on life, was Immortality by Milan Kundera. Its all about existence.

I remember reading that and then it being a pivotal point in my coming of age. I was about 20 and I think I became more adult after reading it.

I just read Giovannis Room by James Baldwin. I loved it. Ive never read such a beautiful description of love before.I found that really moving.If I was still courting, Id give it to someone.

Paloma Faith as Bet Sykes in DCs Pennyworth Warner Bros

I was always cast as a sort of publicly perceived version of myself. A giggly, bit jokey and slightly eccentric character. And then with Bet Sykes, [who Faith plays in the DC series, Pennyworth] I feel like Ive had to delve into some darker corners of my past experiences to find that character.

I think thats something thats particularly changing in writing for women. For years most female roles were very one dimensional and a little bit boring. And I still today feel a bit jealous of male characters, not in this job, but I often read a script and I would prefer to play one of the men because I feel like it speaks to me more. Not because Im manly per se, but because those characters often have more layers.

Im a big fan of Miranda July and Id love to play the female lead in The First Bad Man, which is a quite hilarious character. Its about this woman who is single, living alone and she believes that she has a spiritual connection with a baby.

I just love her writing. Its so awkward and uncomfortable and I thrive in that. Its everything I want, its comedy, existentialism, fallibility, all very uncomfortable. I think thats the perfect role for me.

My best recommendation ever is The Master and the Margarita byMikhail Bulgakov, a very good book.

The Other Hand by Chris Cleave. Its a book about a family who go on holiday and they meet somebody and they frivolously say, if you come to England, then you should call us. Then this person comes to England seeking asylum.

Its a really brilliant, well observed, eye opening story about the disparity between the privilege of the Western world and what makes somebody become a refugee or an immigrant. Its probably one of five books that Ive really poured with tears reading.

Next on my list is Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams. Its meant to be absolutely amazing.

Pennyworth: The Complete First Season is now available on Blu-ray and DVD check out what else is on with our TV Guide

Read Paloma Faiths Fantasy Bookshelf

See the original post here:
My Fantasy Bookshelf: Paloma Faith shares the books which influenced her life and career - RadioTimes