Sophie Koella is a woman of the world - born in New Orleans, raised in California just a stone’s throw from Venice Beach, spent time in her father’s native France and now calls New York’s Little Italy home. As muse for our ‘Unrecognised’ issue, she has a long-held affinity for Harry Potter (“the character I most identify with is Hermione Granger”), and knows that Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist makes for the best gift.

For the second instalment of RUSSH Book Club, Koella shares the novels that have captured her heart and the writer who inspires her most.

I am currently reading …
Evolution by Eileen Myles.

My favourite book …
I have several but How to Behave in a Crowd by Camille Bordas is my top one as of lately.

My actual favourite book … I genuinely couldn’t choose.

The book that changed my life is …
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson.

The character I most identify with is …
Hermione Granger.

The last book I read …
Educated by Tara Westover.

The best book I ever received is …
An Ed van der Eslken photo-book (shout out to my friend Darren).

The book I would give as a gift is …
The Alchemist.

My childhood favourite book …
Harry Potter and the Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

My favourite writer is … Maya Angelou. Because … No explanation necessary!