AN AUTHOR from Reading who is close to selling her millionth career copy is set to release her latest book.

Julie Cohen, who lives in Central Reading, will mark the release of Falling at Waterstones on Broad Street at 7.30pm on Thursday July 28.

The book is a multi-generational tale of three women with burning secrets and the difficult, life-changing decision of whether to tell them.

Mrs Cohen, formerly a teacher at The Piggot and St Mary's schools and now a 900,000 copy selling author, said: “The novel is set in a fictionalised Woodley.

“I have changed Woodley quite a bit in the novel, but there are scenes outside the Waitrose, and the bridge near Sonning is where quite a lot of the action takes place.”

On top of this semi-fictional setting, Mrs Cohen placed 80 year-old grandma Honor, her daughter-in-law Jo and granddaughter Lydia.

In colouring these chronologically diverse characters the Cambridge University alumnus drew on aspects of her own life.

“I have never been an 80 year-old, but I am in the process of being a 40 year-old woman as we speak,” she said.

“Although I haven't been 16 for a while, but when I was a secondary school teacher I saw a lot of unrequited love which is an aspect of the book.”

Next Thursday Mrs Cohen officially releases Falling, the 21st novel she has written.

“We are going to have a little celebration with cake, wine and a poetry reading from my friend which will be about her mother,” she said.

As well as a host of local big wigs, in attendance at the Waterstones event will be representatives from ABC to Read, a Berkshire based reading charity, and gay rights organisation Stonewall.

Following the release Mrs Cohen will continue writing her next novel, Together, from the garritt on top of her house.

To find out more go to www.julie-cohen.com or follow her on Twitter @julie_cohen