Helen's Reading

There's a lovely feature in the New Straits Times today about my friend, entrepreneur Helen Read, the Ms. Read of the fashion chain. The article by Rachael Philip takes a good look at Helen's home library and reading habits. (She always carries a book in her bag and has trained herself to read anywhere ... but what's this about having no fiction on her shelves? How caaaaaaaan?)

I got to know Helen when she took my creative writing course along with her best friend, Abby.(The payoff for me in terms of making new friends has been enormous - maybe I should give them all a discount?) I really admire the way she built up her business from scratch, taking huge risks along the way, and take inspiration from her story for my own small venture. You always think of successful business people as being rather hard-shelled but Helen remains an enormously caring person and much concerned about setting up counselling services for the sick and bereaved.

I also love Helen because her clothes fit me!