This week’s Tracks of my Life is from Nicola Pryce. She is the Taunton author of Pengelly’s Daughter and The Captain’s Girl.

Record 1: Sunshine Girl – Herman’s Hermits

I have to start with this – it was my very first vinyl record and I absolutely adored it.

I was 11, it was 1968 and I must have played it 50 times a day throughout the summer holiday. Listening to it now, I can still remember how very happy it made me feel.

Record 2: Dancing Queen – Abba

This takes me hurtling back to long hair and long skirts – to trench coats and Dr Who scarves, to platform shoes and the dreaded school disco. I was 17 and this was my song.

It epitomises the energy and exuberance of my late teens. I still love Abba and I adore Mamma Mia.

Record 3: Distant Dreamer – Duffy

This song should be played very loudly and you need to sing along with it. Everyone needs to dream.

Without dreaming, I would never have started to write my books and never would have become published.

Record 4: Dance me to the End of Love – Leonard Cohen

I love all Leonard Cohen’s songs but this is my favourite. It takes me straight into my husband’s arms.

We’re probably dancing on the boat, a glass of whisky in our hands.

The wind will be howling, the music most likely too loud. But after 36 years of marriage, that’s just about as risqué as we get.

Record 5: One Day Like This – Elbow

I love this song we played it on the morning of my daughter’s wedding. After a week of rain, we opened the curtains to sunshine and this record epitomises that wonderful day.

But this song means more to me than that. It urges us to live in the present, to recognise what we have, and to seize each day as it comes.