Ben Coates, Why The Dutch Are Different: A Journey into the Hidden Heart of the Netherlands

Was disappointed with this. A lazy, pop history by someone who has only lived in the Netherlands for a few years. There were whole sections, such as football or Amsterdam in the Golden Age, when I wondered why I was reading it, as the author obviously knew very little and was cribbing the information from other books. Was also a little unsettled when he talked about 'Dutch' people (meaning white) being hardworking and law-abiding while 'Moroccans' (dutch people of Moroccan descent) in his neighbourhood weren't. Not surprising to find out that the author used to work for the Conservative Party. On the home front, Freddie took part in a swimming competition for his school last week and did really well, and it seems to have rekindled his motivation after a tough few months. It's a tough period for him as he is getting a lot of growing pains and his hormones are all over the place. The littlest thing becomes a major disaster - misplaced pencil case, can't find his belt - but when he is laughing and happy he just seems so joyous.

Herman Melville, Moby Dick

Have been putting this off for a long, long time as I thought I knew what to expect - a bleak tale of one man's obsession overriding all over concerns and driving him to his own destruction. Or, alternatively, the first Great American Novel, an allegory for the zeal that drove Americans to conquer the wilderness and imposed man's manifest destiny on nature. Turns out it's neither of those things really, it's just a book about whaling, but someone who really really likes whaling. It reminded me in parts of a Radio 4 documentary where you have some eccentric old buffer enthusiastically explaining his love of horse brass collection,  or performing forgotten Slovakian folk songs. It was very funny too, it its bombastic use of language and determination to prove that whaling is a noble profession on a par or even superior to any other form of human activity, whether it be poetry, jousting or something more prosaic.

George Orwell, Homage to Catalonia, Magnus Mills, The Restraint of Beasts

Two books I haven’t read for a long time but which I admire greatly. I remember being naively surprised at the political infighting on the republican side, which stayed with me more than the descriptions of the war. It's apposite at the moment as the Labour Party is particularly riven at the moment as the various factions battle for control. I'm now worried that after what the right sees a massive mistake in 'allowing' Corbyn to get onto the ballot sheet, they will seek to stitch up all future elections and also purge the left (including me) from the party. The latest is the list of demands from the Board of Deputies to restore confidence in the Labour Party in the Jewish community, which, if followed to the letter, could be used to expel tens of thousands. The 'zero-tolerance' approach means that people who defend, support or share a platform with people who are accused of anti-semitism can be expelled and never allowed back in. Given that there are many on the left who feel that some of the people accused, suspended or expelled like Jackie Walker and Chris Williamson have been unfairly treated and are not at all anti-semitic, this coud very easily be weaponised. All the leadership candidates have signed up to the pledge. The 'Restraint of Beasts' was not quite the novel I thought it was, I think I must have got it a little mixed up with other Magnus Mills novels. It was marvellous though, and stands in stark contrast to all the classics I have been trudging through, as it is about working people and their day-to-day existence. No worries about neuroses or ennui or angst, but about where the money for the next meal or catalogue payment is coming from. How odd to read a book I think of as contemporary, but set in a world with no internet or mobile phones.

William Golding, The Lord Of The Flies

Really should have read this before reaching the age of 45, although I think it would have scared the bejesus out of me at school, and I wouldn’t want Freddie, who is the same age as the older boys on the island, to read it just yet. A fantastic book and very thought provoking about how quickly mankind can descend into anarchy and savagery. a true horror story, being trapped and subjugated in a society from which there is no escape, and an increasingly irrational and cruel authority based on fear. I was very glad the ending was relatively happy.

Patrick deWitt, The Sisters Brothers

That was my cup of tea, a western, a clear narrative, strong characters with believable interplay. It's been made into a film starring John C Reilly and Joaquin Phoenix that I am now very keen to see, and have added deWitt's other books to my wishlist.  This week i have bee trying to arrange a lift rota for Freddie's swimming club, as there are now potentially 7 sessions a week. I think I'm there now with the various parents, who is doing which session and so on. Feeling a bit like Milo Minderbinder keeping the plates spinning and the planes flying

Neil MacGregor, Living With The Gods

A very enjoyable romp through the entire history of mankind and our belief in the supernatural/religious belief. MacGregor uses his experience at the British Museum to draw parallels between artefacts from different times and cultures to illustrate human beliefs - the need for security, for inspiration, to control society, etc. On the home from, have managed to put back on all the weight I lost last year and am back above 95Kg again, only this time with a Captain Haddock beard. Have resolved to run 500 miles over the year, and am really enjoying running at the moment although my left ankle may disagree. My normal running routs is diverted due to the new bridge over the canal, so i'm combining picking up geocaches and running. Manged 7 miles yesterday while Fred was swimming - Park-Send-Pyrford-Park along the Wey without getting lost or overly muddy

Vladimir Nabokov, Lolita

I've put off reading this for a while given the subject matter, but the book was very enjoyable and even funny in places. Humbert Humbert's confessional explains his actions and rationale and the lives ruined as a result.