Arabic version: أديل باركس تتأمل الكتابة والأسرة والتواصل

According to The Guardian, author Adele Parks says words are the greatest love of her life, crediting them with giving her both her husband Jim and her life. Parks, 57, described love as a mixture of safety, acceptance, peace and reliance, as well as intellectual or emotional challenge.

Born in North Yorkshire, Parks studied English at the University of Leicester before working in advertising. She published her debut novel, Playing Away, in 2000 and has written a book every year since. Her latest book is Eyes on You, while her work has been translated into 31 languages. She received an MBE in 2022 for services to literature.

Parks is also an ambassador for literacy-promoting charities including the National Literacy Trust, which is collaborating with the Department for Education on the National Year of Reading 2026. The writer, who is married with a son and lives in Surrey, called the love her son has for her her greatest achievement, particularly in light of her career.

In the interview, Parks said she would choose to become fitter at a younger age if she could edit her past, adding that she would have been “hotter” younger. She identified negative self-talk as the trait she most deplores in herself and laziness as the trait she most dislikes in others. Parks also said hopelessness makes her unhappy, especially when people no longer believe they or a situation can improve.

Asked whether she would prefer more sex, money or fame, Parks chose sex, saying it is important because it is about connection. She said plots keep her awake at night, named staying home to play Scrabble as a guilty pleasure, and said a sushi chef in her kitchen would improve her quality of life.