Hillary Clinton: Bible was and is biggest influence on my thinking

Hillary Clinton has been more personal than ever lately with the release of her new memoir, Hard Choices.

After all, the book is a rare insight into what it is like to be at the heart of international politics while at the same time being a wife, a mother, and a daughter.

In amongst her busy book tour and rounds of interviews, she amazingly still has the time to get some reading of her own done.

She tells the New York Times in an interview on Sunday that she's reading "The Goldfinch" by Donna Tartt, "Mom & Me & Mom" by Maya Angelou, and "Missing You" by Harlan Coben.

Her reading tastes are quite varied as she rattles off a list of writers whose works she loves to read, from John Grisham and Daniel Silva, to Hilary Mantel and Alice Walker.

But she admits to a few literary "guilty pleasures and useful time fillers", like cooking, decorating, diet/self-help and gardening books.

And some may be surprised to know that her bookshelf also includes memoirs by Republicans, like President George W Bush's "Decision Points" and Senator John McCain's "Faith of My Fathers".

When it comes to what she wishes all students would read, she tells the New York Times: "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen, "Out of Africa" by Isak Dinesen and "Schindler's List".

But when it comes to naming the one book "that made you who you are today", Clinton's clear about her choice.

"At the risk of appearing predictable, the Bible was and remains the biggest influence on my thinking," she said.

"I was raised reading it, memorising passages from it and being guided by it. I still find it a source of wisdom, comfort and encouragement."