Born in London in 1959, Orlando Figes is Professor of History at the University of London▓s Birkbeck College. He is author of Peasant Russia, Civil War and A People▓s Tragedy, which in 1997 won a number of awards including the Wolfson history prize and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. His latest book Natasha▓s Dance - A Cultural History of Russia is published this month by Allen Lane.

What▓s on your bookshelf?

Work books mainly - history, literature - in no particular order: my office is a mess. I have a special shelf for dictionaries, which I love to read.

What books are on your bedside table?

At the moment Eric Hobsbawm▓s memoirs Interesting Times. I also always keep some poetry to hand - at the moment it is Blake.

Which books have you been unable to finish and why?

Cervantes▓s Don Quixote. I have tried several times... don▓t know why.

What book would you give as a present, and why?

That is a very personal choice, but to anyone who has not yet read it I would certainly consider Nabokov▓s Speak Memory. It is one of the most remarkable books I have ever read.

Which literary character would you most like to meet?

Natasha Rostov in Tolstoy▓s War and Peace (what man wouldn▓t?)

Which books have made you cry or laugh out loud?

Lots. I always cry my way through the final pages of Dostoevsky▓s Brothers Karamazov. The last really funny book I read was Andy Miller▓s Tilting at Windmills - a hoot for anyone who loves/hates sport.

Which books should get the Hollywood treatment?

I don▓t know if anyone has done Harlan Coben▓s books, but they have all the features of a good thriller.

Which writer would never get on to your bookshelf?

David Irving.