Jessica Bruder, Nomadland

 A rather frightening image of the future - it tracks older people in the US that have fallen out of the system and lost the security of home and savings, and are unable to find work that pays enough to keep a roof over their head, so travel the country in RVs for low-paid seasonal work in warehouses, festivals, farms, etc. It did end on an optimistic note as one of the nomads managed to buy land to build her dream 'earthship' , but this could well ne the way of things in the future for many - work is increasingly devalued and with no social security what option will people have other than a workhouse. At a time when employee rights are being reduced again in the UK it's all very depressing and accelerating the gap between the wealthy few and the struggling many. Are we heading for the Hunger Games? With the Ukraine and the cost of living crisis it's been a horrible year. I'm so lucky, but feel for the first time that I'm in the precariat, and we could lose it all. We +should+ pay off the mortgage next month, which should give us some security, but I worry if one or both of us lose our jobs and what opportunities our children will have. doesn't look good.

Ian Birchall, The Spectre of Babeuf, Raphaela Edelbauer, The Liquid Land, Geert Mak, In America: Travels with John Steinbeck

 My Christmas reading. I've been meaning to read more about Babeuf for decades, as I have a memory of him being one the revolutionary that appealed most to me, a proto-socialist concerned with equality and common ownership rather than the bourgeois concerns of most of the progenitors of the French Revolution. There's not much on him in english it would appear, and I'm not sure I know much more after reading this, which was far to heavy on the marxist theorising for me. ' The Liquid Land' was very good, set in a forgotten village in Austria ruled by an eccentric Countess and built on top of a giant hole which isn't really discussed. it's an allegory of the holocaust  being swept under the carpet with the hole as the elephant in the room which is ignored while everything is swept into it.  What brought me to it was the idea of an Tyrolean equivalent of Rotherweird or Lud-In-the Mist, and I got that - slightly less faerie and a lot more sachertorte, but still. 'In America' is another book made for me, and I've put more by Geert Mak on my wishlist already (I'm sure I have read a book by him on Amsterdam though). A european intellectual follows Steinbeck round America, partly to check in the veracity of Steinbeck's reportage (conclusion - it was largely invention and fiction, which is fine, this is Steinbeck) and partly to chronicle the changes since 1960, which he does brilliantly. Of course, I now want to undergo exactly the same roadtrip, ideally with a dog and in an RV. one day. . . 

C.S. Lewis, The Magician's Nephew

 I've been meaning to reread this for a while, since reading Susanna Clarke's wonderful Piranesi, which was inspired in part by The Magician's Nephew. I don't have very fond memories of reading CS Lewis, finding him a bit preachy and christian, particularly The Last Battle, which horrified me by keeping people out of heaven for minor infractions (if I remember correctly). I don't think I've reread the books since primary school, and I wonder how much i red at the time. The first part of the book is very familiar - the attic they explore, the rings and the ponds and the old, old sun in a dead city. I don't really remember the witch gallivanting through London and the creation myth of Narnia (more christian proselytizing). It's much more light-hearted and funny than I remember though, and it is a cracking adventure. Perhaps I should read more to correct my prejudice

Christopher de Bellague, The Lion House: The Coming of a King

 That was joyous romp. The author obviously had the time of his life writing it, and given the source material it was much more exiting and imaginative than an ordinary history of warfare and diplomacy between the Ottomans and the west. I struggled to follow some of the characters as they made their way through shifting alliances, backstabbings and changes in fortune, but i don't think that mattered too much. here at home we have had a very light dusting of snow so it's all looking very christmassy. I've just caught the cold that Helen and Libby have had for a few days, so am feeling a little sorry for myself. Probably i should not be working, but I've dosed myself up on Lemsip and am reluctant to call in sick as I've only had 2 days off in 25 years.

Charles Bukowski, Ham on Rye

 I remember first reading about Bukowski in an interview with the Dogs d'amour, an obscure '80s rock band that I quite liked in school. They had a song called The Ballad of Jack about the trouble getting a decent cup of tea in America, very rock n roll. they listed Bukowski as one of their heroes alongside Errol Flynn and others. I really enjoyed Post Office a few years ago, and it accurately captures the mind-numbing nature of work and how it is something to be endured and avoided. Ham on Rye was more of an autobiography though, and went right back to his childhood and read more like a misery memoir than a wry observation about modern working culture

John Alexander Williams, Appalachia: A History

 'Not quite what I was expecting, but it was a rigorous and wide-ranging history of the region. So much I was ignorant of, even how to pronounce 'Appalachia'. I've never even thought about it, it's always been 'Apple ay sha' to me,  but with a tiny bit of thought and awareness I would have picked up that it's much more varied and for many people the accepted pronunciation is 'apple atch uh'.  I'm still intrigued and fascinated by the strange combination of old folkways and music, the poverty, the mountain landscape and fierce independence of the folk. Today marks 25 years since I joined what was then Cable & Wireless. I've been very lucky to do a job I have generally enjoyed and been well remunerated for it. Right now my worry is trying to hang on to that privilege for a few more years so we can live in a comfortable retirement. Feel like I'm living on borrowed time at the moment in the current economic climate

Joseph Roth, The Emperor's Tomb

Started very promisingly with a foreword by the translator Michael Hoffman that wasn't at all hagiographic, and all the better for it as it came across as a fair and open assessment of Roth and his faults as a writer and as a person by a translator who has spent his life immersed in Roth's works. Roth sounds incredibly frustrating, an unreliable, difficult man who made life a misery for his publishers and even submitted chapters from previous books when he had a deadline to meet. I like the sound of him very much, but it seems as if he was only writing because he absolutely had to in order to pay the bills and he'd much rather be somewhere else. If course the somewhere else was an imaginary, idealised Habsburg mitteleuropa full of order, ceremony, cafes and people who knew their place. I'm now moving on to a book about Appalachia, and it got me thinking about what links those two areas that interest me so much - Central Europe under the Habsburgs and the backwoods country of the Eastern US. i wonder f it is because they are both backwaters, attached to but forgotten by the great flows of history, where old, archaic habits linger on and perhaps point to a different way of life. Where else fits that bill? Frinton-on-Sea I suppose, but I have no desire to ever go there. 

Richard Bassett, Last Days in Old Europe

 This book could have been written for me. Bassett is a Paddy Leigh Fermor type, incredibly posh, incredibly intelligent with oodles of self-confidence and an incredible contact network that opens doors all over Europe that would remain firmly closed to mortals. He starts as a Horn player in Ljubljana and somehow becomes The Times' correspondent for Central Europe. What is most interesting is how much the Europe he inhabits in the '80s is still so Habsburg. the architecture, the uniforms, the culture. Perhaps he is looking for it, but he seems to find it everywhere, and spends a great deal of time in the company of those last remaining aristos that were awarded medals by Franz Josef or wore the uniform of an Uhlan.

This book was purchased on my annual day of indulgence while the car is being serviced and MOT'd. I took the train from Walton into town, and spent the whole day browsing bookshops for things I could have bought online in a few seconds and much cheaper. I planned to limit myself to one book per shop, but nah. Daunt Books, Hatchard's, Waterstone's Piccadilly (Simpsons as was), Foyle's and finally Stanford's. Stanford's new shop is much smaller and not nearly as nice, so it may drop off my list. The others remain as lovely as ever, and with any more time I would have gone on to Dillon's and the LRB Bookshop.

Also managed my first fanboy visit to the Algerian Coffee Stores, who have been sending me my coffee via post for over a decade now. I was too embarrassed to say anything to the staff, who wouldn't have a clue who I am anyway. 

Melvin Burgess, Loki

 That's more like it. The most unreliable of narrators tells his own story in a charming way that puts a fresh spin on the Norse myths. Burgess' first adult novel apparently, and I was going to give it to Liana for Christmas, but it is very racy so I may have to think again. Fred had his 15th birthday yesterday, and it is difficult to know what to get him as nothing really enthuses him at the moment (teenage boy), so we have all given him money to put towards a new phone. he is a good lad, much more so than I was at his age. As with all three of them though, I just wish they would read for pleasure - so strange that none of them do. none really interested in football or music either, which just seems so alien to me. I would say it's a generational thing, but so many of their friends are different. Just my poor parenting then. . . 

Malcolm Gaskill, The Ruin of all Witches: Life and Death in the New World

 Loads of wonderful reviews, and incredibly well-researched, but this microcosmic study of a pre-Salem witch trial in Massachusetts left me cold. I ended up glossing over sections and trudging along. In the meantime, I've just cut my finger open with the bread knife so am having tremendous trouble typing this. I'm feeling a little better after some down periods and looking forward to Christmas even as it gets colder and darker. Wales have just lot 2-0 to Iran in the World Cup, making it easier to boycott! Fred is taking his friends to an escape room on Sunday for his birthday. They need to have an adult in the room, so I'll be there, but I've been told I'm not allowed to help!

Colin Thubron, The Amur River: Between Russia and China

This entry is out of place, as I read it before Cloud Cuckoo Land, but must have forgotten to log it. This is the first book by Colin Thubron I have read, having eschewed travel writing for so long. I guess though as I get older I'm happier to read about exotic places from the comfort of an easy chair than actually visit them. What a comparison to Thubron, who is in his 80s and yet set out to one of the most hostile and unwelcoming parts of the planet, both in terms of the environment, authoritarian regimes and grinding poverty and shortages. He tells a good story and almost makes you want to visit the Wild East. I wouldn't last 5 minutes though. Better to stay where i can see the birds in the garden and can order a pizza without having to get up

Anthony Doerr, Cloud Cuckoo Land

A 500 page book that took me 400 pages to get into, not a good sign. Came so highly recommended, and a book about books featuring the fall of Constantinople should have been much more interesting for me, but meh. I do feel at the moment like some of the joy in reading has gone, and there is no new fiction that appeals. Maybe i should go back to George MacDonald Fraser, or Agatha Christie, or Rafael Sabatini, or even Susan Cooper for a bit. mind you, it will be time to reread The Dark is Rising soon. The World Cup in Qatar has just started, and it is very difficult to get excited about a tournament in the wrong place at the wrong time of year. I just don't know.

Francine Toon, Pine

 A Scandi-noir set in the Scottish highlands, very bleak and with a mystical element. Although it was in the Highlands, in my mind it was all taking place in a Wallander-like Scania with flat windswept fields and pine woods. I'm in a rather dark place myself at the moment, have had a lot of trouble sleeping and work is getting on top of me. The situation in the Ukraine and the rise of the MAGA right in the United States is a great worry too, let alone climate change.  We seem to be sleepwalking towards global disaster. 

I need to learn to concentrate on the positives - I have a wonderful wife and family, no money worries at the moment, I'm healthy, warm and well-fed. I need to learn to be content and reduce my anxiety!

Martin Wall, The Magical History of Britain

That was just mad, a very eclectic collection of only tangentially related topics. At some points it was almost a straight history, particularly the Saxon era, which is a pet subject of the author, at other times it looked at spirituality and mythology and the clash with religion, but then went on an extended justification of Aleister Crowley, who the author believes to have genuinely had magical powers and foresaw a century of woe starting in 1914. it finishes off with a call for the Church of England to launch a Coleridgean clerisy to save the nation morally. Still not sure what I have just read.

Laurence Durrell, White Eagles over Serbia

A proto-James Bond, but in style more like a pre war Erskine Childers or John Buchan. I assumed it was set in Victorian times until they mentioned Tito. Absolute bosh, but an enjoyable tale of derring-do. The clocks have gone back and it is very dark now- I don't like running in the dark so have put it on hold in the week, which means a lot of time spinning in the garage. Work is a bit stressful to, so not in the best of places at the moment

Barbara Kingsolver, Demon Copperhead, John Steinbeck, The Log from the Sea of Cortez

 I'd not read anything by Barbara Kingsolver before, but a retelling of David Copperfield set in Appalachia really appealed. I'm not sure what it is about the hillbilly culture of the mountains that appeals so much to me, but I find it all so fascinating - the language, the music, the hard-scrabble way of life. . . I think i'm going to be about the Blue Ridge Mountains for a while. the Log from the Sea of Cortez is non-fiction, and as with so much of Steinbeck's non-fiction, I enjoyed his wry humour and story telling while finding the bits about marine life intensely boring. 

Demon Copperhead was mostly read in a caravan in Burnham-on-Sea, within smelling distance of the mudflats and able to hear the wind clanking the masts. The weather was good and we had a fun holiday, despite so many complaints at being made to walk or be outside. I got a few runs in though after my injury which is good, and it's nice that we can go away as a family still despite the bickering

Felicity Cloake, One More Croissant for The Road

Bought this as I enjoyed her cycling odyssey around the UK in search of breakfast so much. More of the same, she is such an engaging and funny writer with a passion for cycling, France and food that make it so enjoyable. There's a little bit of wish-fulfilment going on, as I'd love to embark on such a tour, but I'm not nearly foodie enough or language competent enough. To cycle round France sampling local delicacies and plonk though . . . wonderful. IRL, we have lost another prime minister, as the inadequate and entirely unsuitable Liz Truss has resigned. What an absolute shitshow. there's even talk of Johnson coming back. in the meantime, Labour are polling above 50% but doing all they can to sideline the left, and there are rumours of some left wing challengers to Labour. I sympathise as Labour as they exist are just a bunch of careerist managerial centrists with tory-lite policies, but I cannot see it coming to anything

John Steinbeck, The Long Valley

 A collection of short stories including The Red Pony, and like Jarvis Cocker and Zoe Gilbert before I struggled. Some of the stories went past me without me noticing, my mind on other things. It's not that I'm particularly worried about something else, I just couldn't get into them sadly. I injured my calf last weekend running, and had to miss the GSR this year. i tried a run the day before, but didn't even make it a mile until the pain kicked in. I can still cycle, so I can get exercise at least, but I may have to cut back the running for a bit. I would have had to do so anyway as it is getting dark, but I've been spending too much time on the bike in the garage and need to vary things more. It does have the advantage of being dry with no cars to worry about, and mean I can drink coffee and watch tv while cycling, but it's just spinning once or twice a day and it's not enough

Jarvis Cocker, Good Pop Bad Pop: An Inventory

 Not the book I thought it would be or what it purported to be really. I thought it would be about Jarvis cocker's love of pop music and the artists he liked, and it started off as him using the device of cleaning out his loft to talk about the objects he found and what they meant to him. really it was just a memoir of his pre-Britpop days though, which I didn't find all that interesting

Zoe Gilbert, Folk

 I bought this quite recently and I can't remember why, but it did have a lovely cover. It's a collection of Folk Tales from the Isle of Man, and I didn't get in to them at all. I thought it might be similar to the Faerie of Susanna Clarke, but no such luck. I pulled a muscle running on saturday and have been limping around complaining ever since. It's the GSR at the weekend, and I was hoping for a good time (for me), but I've been putting on weight recently and not running as fluidly as I can, or as often. Let's see what happens.

Anne Applebaum, Between East And West: Across The Borderlands of Europe

 I read this some years ago, and it had a massive impact on me in terms of my thinking about Europe and the differences between the West - of clear boundaries and settled nations (even those that have been invented) compared to the fluid identities of central Europe, where language, ethnicity, religion all mix up and provide no clear boundaries. It was written just after the collapse of communism and Anne Applebaum was still able to find and talk to people who remember the days of the Habsburgs or Tsarist rule. Adam Mickiewicz appealed to me too - a nationalist poet claimed by three nations, a polish hero whose most famous work refers to his fatherland as Lithuania and who grew up in what is now Belarus and wrote much of his work while living in what is now Ukraine. It was still fresh to read and i enjoyed it just as much, although I was a bit worried it wouldn't hold up as Anne Applebaum seems to be quite a Tory these days and writes for The Spectator. I'd love to travel in this region, or at least those parts now in the EU that would be relatively safe. Belarus and Kaliningrad ain't gonna happen in the near future. 

Kazuo Ishiguro, The Remains Of The Day

 Very lovely, although having seen the film helped given the wonderful performances by Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson. Another incredibly empathetic book by Kazuo Ishiguro after Never Let Me Go and Klara And The Sun, and what they all seem to have in common is being written from the POV of a selfless person for whom the happiness and comfort of others comes first, whether that is as a body donor, an artificial companion or a dedicated butler. Absolutely heartbreaking that someone would subordinate their own happiness, feelings, family relationships  and chance of a family life/companionship in the service of another who may not give two hoots about them.  Rea;;y punched me in the gut that one (in a good way).

Nick Offerman, Where The Deer And The Antelope Play: The Pastoral Observations Of One Ignorant American Who Loves To Walk Outside

 A faux-modest title from the excellent Nick Offerman, whose measured and sensible opinions on an matter are worth listening to. All the same it does have the sense of a book put together to meet a publisher's deadline, and a collection of thoughts rather than something with an over-arching narrative. Fine though, it's a humorous book by a humorist and I enjoyed it. Yesterday I ran my first 'official' marathon, even if it was virtual, and trudged up and down the Basingstoke Canal. I was done for by 18 miles, but managed to trudge on and feeling very proud of myself even if I cannot stand up without help now.

John Le Carre, The Secret Pilgrim

 'The last George Smiley novel (until there were more), and an enjoyable collection of short stories full of disillusion, cynicism, betrayal, double-bluffs and all the other things that make his books so wonderful.  Liz Truss is now our Pm and seems to be doing everything possible to crash the economy and allow the super -wealthy to become super wealthier at the expense of the national good. Its awful and who know where it will end. Labour have taken a huge lead in the polls and had a very good conference with some decent policies, even if their treatment of the left is still disgraceful. It's back to the lesser of two evils until we get PR. . . 

Paul Theroux, The Kingdom By the Sea

 They were talking about this on a podcast a few weeks ago, and I was vaguely aware of it but had never considered it as a read. I still think of myself as not much of a fan of travel writing, but that is obviously not true. Anne Applebaum's 'Between East and West' changed that a decade or so ago, and the truth is I've read and enjoyed plenty of travel writing. I mean to go back and reread Applebaum, btw, note to self. 'The Kingdom By The sea' was Theroux's circumnavigation of the UK by foot, train and bus and was glorious. He's a curmudgeonly sort, very insightful and funny, but with complete disdain for people. He cannot be bothered to learn or remember the names of people he meets and just makes them up, or gives them a name he thinks suitable to them like Dickens. He gets fed up of the tour too, with chapters and chapters on Kent at the beginning of the trip and the whole of the east coast from Edinburgh to Southend distilled down into a very quick and cursory section.

It was a time capsule too, he wrote at the time of the Falklands conflict, so within my living memory, but still post-war Britain with grotty hotels, terrible food and veterans of the Boer War and WWI still around, with millions who had experienced the Second World War.

Kazuo Ishiguro, Klara And The Sun

Similarities to Never Let Me Go, and I have to read The Remains of the Day now to complete the set as that is written from a servant's perspective so has parallels. Klara is an AF ('Artificial Friend') with exceptional awareness and intelligence who becomes the companion to a privileged girl at the top of society. she is utterly selfless, dedicated and obedient and ends up in a scrapyard. Very poignant.

I'm meant to be running a virtual London marathon next weekend, but I went out yesterday and my ankle pinged, so I'm all strapped up. Kwasi Kwarteng has just announced a mini-budget that blatantly favours the very wealthy and is going to rack up government borrowing rapidly. It's hard to tell whether they are just recklessly gambling on a dash for growth they truly believe in, or whether they are just shamelessly trying to make a fortune for them and their friends by shorting the pound and don't give a stuff for the consequences as they'll be rich and someone else will sort out the mess

Alev Scott, Ottoman Odyssey: Travels Through a Lost Empire

 A perfect book for me, a lightly written, personable tour through the minority communities still surviving in corners of what was the old Ottoman empire. Christian sects in Lebanon, Turks still in Bosnia, the Armenian diaspora, and so on, and what it meant to be Ottoman, to be Turkish and how Erdogan is causing no end of trouble. A very wonderful, human read at a time when the world seems to be descending further into a global bin fire. Putin is losing in Ukraine, has just called up 300k citizens into the army and is threatening nuclear war, Trump is desperately fighting back against the host of indictments and criminal charges he deservedly faces, hoping to survive until a change of control of congress in the midterms can be used to get him off the hook, and here at home the new Conservative government's response to the cost of living crisis is to borrow more to make the super wealthy super wealthier through tax cuts that benefit them most. 

James Clavell, Shogun

 'The book I was reading when Queen Elizabeth II died, and such an epic that I was still on it when the funeral was held yesterday. I fondly remember the miniseries with Richard Chamberlain from the '80s, but my word the book was a slog and seemed very dated in its depiction of inscrutable, death-welcoming Japanese. IRL, Britain has been a strange place the last few days, with fawning blanket media coverage and the official line that the whole nation is grieving and in mourning. This is certainly true for some, but for millions life goes on as normal, sad as it is when anyone passes away. There have been some very strange decisions as organisations seek to balance the correct amount of deference and respect. Center Parcs initially told guests they would have to vacate the parc for 24 hours (where on earth would they stay?), before rowing back and saying people could stay but couldn't leave their chalets (!). British Cycling initially sent round guidance that people shouldn't cycle yesterday as it was disrespectful. In the real world, despite everything being shut yesterday, millions of people were out and about on beaches, in parks and woodlands enjoying themselves. Personally I think that's what the Queen would have wanted. I didn't bother to watch the funeral, I had a Zwift session and watched Agent Carter on Disney+.

Mark Galeotti, A Short History of Russia

 A VERY short history of Russia, only 200 pages, so seismic events and huge characters flew by. This had advantages though, and kept the narrative tight on Russia's paradox - should it try to be a european nation or not. In the meantime, Libby's first day at Woking High, seems to have gone well, but she was so tired last night and this morning. she can be very snappy and shouty sometimes, and this morning I got it in the neck because I couldn't supply her instantly with a brolly that met all her criteria. She should be back any moment now, and it is chucking down, so it could be another storm. . .

Janice Hallett, The Appeal

 Bought this a few weeks ago as Janice Halletts second novel, The Twyford Code, was so enjoyable. This was even better and had me hooked. It was structured as a form of email and message exchanges, and seen through the eyes of two law students going through the documentation of a cold case. they were able to talk to each other and act as exposition for dull-witted readers like me who would struggle to understand the enormity of some of the statements and clues otherwise. So so good, and she is working on a 3rd novel apparently Disgracefully I was reading it while Libby was getting ready for her first day at Woking High School. She'll be back in just over an hour, hopefully she had a wonderful first day. William also went back, but Fred goes in tomorrow and so has spent the day getting prepared for GCSE year by rewatching Marvel films 

Jan Morris, Wales: Epic Views of a Small Country

 This is the book I should have read on holiday, and took it with me but couldn't face a doorstop. I regret it now as the easy style, romantic just-about-believable tales and evocation of Wales were delightful to read. Lots of celtic hyperbole and tall stories, and dated in places (it was originally written in 1984 and slightly updated in the 90s). If I'd read it on holiday I would have had the family corralled into driving miles into the hills to see where Owain Glyndwr is rumoured to have picked his nose and used it to ford a crevasse, or the lone stone in a graveyard that St David tripped over and killed the last snake in Wales, or whatever

Felicity Cloake, Red Sauce Brown Sauce: A British Breakfast Odyssey, Italo Calvino, Invisible Cities, Ned Boulting, How I Won The Yellow Jumper: Dispatches from the Tour de France, Kate Mosse, City of Tears, Nicholas Higham, King Arthur: The Making of the Legend, Richard Osman, The Man Who Died Twice

 Holiday reading as we went to Celtic Haven in Lydstep for a 3rd time, Pembrokeshire being established as a family favourite destination. I consciously took what I thought would be less challenging, comforting reads, and while that was generally the case there were one or two missteps - Calvino's Invisible Cities was a crazy travelogue of increasingly bizarre imaginary cities, and 'King Arthur' turned out to be much more rigorous and academic than the title suggested. The rest were good beach lounger fodder, with much of the reading done on the bank at Celtic Haven overlooking Giltar Point, a beautiful vista. I did a lot more running  on holiday than ever before, and managed the whole of the Coast Path between Amroth and the MOD domain at Castlemartin, despite some hairy encounters with slippery cliffs and territorial cattle. The kids generally played well together and there wasn't too much bickering, but finding activities for them all is getting tough - things that would interest Freddie like coasteering or longer walks aren't things Libby or William can do yet. I think we'll have to find another place as perfect though for holiday next year, as we have been to the Dino Park and Carew Castle just so many times. We didn't even bother going to Manorbier or Pembroke Castles this time, lovely as they are they are just over-familiar. 

Sarah Churchwell, The Wrath to Come: Gone With The Wind and the Lies America Tells

 'I have needed to read this book ever since reading Gone With The Wind when we were in Florida and being stunned at its topsy-turvy depiction of the Old South as a pleasant, desirable and noble place, and of the failure of Reconstruction as something to be celebrated, with the Klan as gallant heroes. This myth has taken hold so tightly though that it is one believed by millions, and the effects seen today as Trump can still call White supremacists good people and insurrectionist mobs can storm the White House and attempt to overturn democracy believing themselves to be in the right and able to act in such a way without punishment or consequences. as I write this, news has come through that Trump's Mar-A-Lago has been raided as the FBI seek the records he stole while President. America faces a battle over the next elections - will democracy win out or will we see a return to rule by a wealth, privileged minority peddling a Big Lie?

Paul Kingsnorth, Alexandria

A post-apocalyptic novel, the last in a trilogy which began with the 11th Century-set The Wake, which I loved for its imaginative use of language. A similar approach was used here, although I couldn’t even tell you the name of the second in the trilogy or when it was set (quick google search reveals it was called 'The Beast' and is set in contemporary England). Much better than many post-apocalyptic novels and was very believable in the lives portrayed, although the religious elements went over my head. We're going on holiday in a few days and I've taken the decision not to read anything tough or edifying while away. I'm just going to take easy and comfort reads and see how that affects me - does it increase my appetite for reading or leave my feeling empty. I'm half-tempted to go the other way and take Ulysses with me. Apparently it works better as spoken word though. William's bike riding continues to improve, we had our first family cycle ride yesterday and went on to Horsell Common. Not very far, but we were all on our own bikes. Hopefully much more to come.

Chris Gosden, The History of Magic: From Alchemy to Witchcraft, from the Ice Age to the Present

 Much more wide-ranging than I thought it would be, and also very persuasive on the centrality of magic to human society as part of a 'triple helix' alongside religion and science, rather than being a primitive precursor of one or the other. The hot dry summer continues, and we go on holiday in a week. I took the day off yesterday as Freddie was volunteering at Butser Ancient Farm. I drove him down there and he seems to have had a really enjoyable day, repairing Iron Age roundhouses with packed manure, insulating neolithic dwellings with moss and herding sheep in the afternoon. most of the other participants were a lot older than him in his twenties, and he's shy around strangers at the best of times, but he seemed to have fun. While he was there I took Libby and one of her friends down to the beach at Hayling Island. There was no sand at the bit we went to thanks to my poor planning, but there was a Funland where Libby suckered me into getting the unlimited ride wristbands. They had a fabulous time going again and again on the rollercoaster and log flume. 

Michel Faber, A Tale Of Two Worlds

 More of a children's/YA book thant I realised when I picked it up, and an inventive concoction of Dickens, CS Lewis, The Wizard of Oz, Wonderland and the Phantom Tollbooth (James Thurber's Story of O' is cited by the author as an influence, but I haven't read that so can't comment). a young person goes on a journey testing her resolve and presenting moral challenges into a fantasty world where the letter 'D' has been stolen by the evil Gamp. along the way many odd characters are encountered and quandaries have to be overcome.  I enjoyed the part set in the real world far more than the Wonderland/Oz section, and I'll keep it to see if Ella and Amy would be interested, but it might be a little young for them. Said the 48 year old.

Samir Puri, The Great Imperial Hangover: How Empires Have Shaped The World

 Not quite what I thought it would be, but a nice lens through which the current geopolitical situation is viewed, rather than a narrative describing the decline of the great empires. Work is very quiet at the moment as it is August and Italy and Germany seem to shut, so I can get lots done. We had a 'Spirit Day' last week, when we should each spend time on personal development. I missed the first two as they clashed with leave, so this was my first. I wandered into the Vodafone store in Woking a few weeks ago and asked them if I could come in for the day to see how they work and the challenges they face in retail and they very kindly let me hang round observing. One thing they told me about was the 'mystery shopper' - they get two of these a month who are assessing them for being on brand, greeting customers within 20 seconds with an open questions, asking customers about broadband, etc etc. Of course, despite astronomical odds the mystery shopper came in on the day I was working when all members of staff were busy and came up to me. I tried my best and said it was my first day and I would go and get someone who knows what they are doing to talk to her, which was ok but hardly on brand. Luckily they passed the mystery test and I took some chocolates in yesterday to say thank you, but they may not be pleased to see me back again. 

John Le Carre, The Looking Glass War

 You know what you're getting, but still so very enjoyable. A world weary, cynical environment and an intelligence operation beset by interdepartmental rivalries and needless deaths and betrayals.  Have just started a book called 'The Great Imperial Hangover' which might work as a title for any of Le Carre's work. It's still incredible hot, I'm still having to sleep downstairs. Libby has been ill for the last few days but has perked up now, and brilliantly William is getting more and more confident on his bike. He has been riding to and from holiday club and getting better each day. At the start of the week he wouldn't do downhill or use brakes, and has now overcome both. He's still not at all safe anywhere near traffic, but he's getting there. Hopefully he'll be willing to cycle to school each day now he is the only one in primary school. . . 

Rosemary Tonks, The Bloater, Travis Elborough, Atlas of Improbable Places: A Journey to the World's most Unusual Corners

 'I only read 'The Bloater' as it was recommended by Stewart Lee, who wrote the introduction. It completely passed me by, didn't get the humour or care about the characters. The Atlas of Improbable Places was a good idea lazily executed - it could have been cribbed from websites about these undeniably interesting places, but no personal touch, no insights. My current crotchety demeanour may owe something to all the noise around at the moment. The neighbours at the back have had the chainsaws out chopping up trees and  the neighbours to the right at the Shaw Centre are in the middle of rebuilding and drilling through concrete. All this has set off the dog in the house to the left. . .  

Bob Mortimer, And Away: The Autobiography

 That was lovely. Not as laugh out loud funny as I thought it would be, perhaps because I've heard all the stories before and also because Bob Mortimer is a much better performer than writer. What was really great about the book though was his honesty about depression, chronic shyness and feelings of inadequacy. Confessionals are very common, but this was the story of a really nice, considerate guy who despite being immensely successful and talented in his field still feels like he is a sidekick at best.  It's made me want to revisit Catterick, one of the few things he's done that I haven't loved, and that he considers his best work. School holidays have started, and we are on countdown to holiday in Pembrokeshire in less than 3 weeks, hurrah

John Steinbeck. The Pastures of Heaven

 An early collection of short stories, but the roots of later writing are there - the location in the Salinas Valley, the struggle of individuals with their own nature and with nature itself, the thwarted ambitions and plans, and the ironic, wry narration. I'm turning into a bit of a Steinbeck completist. Today is Libby's last day of primary school. I'm hoping to finish early and go and join them all at a party on St John's Lye. It's been very emotional for Libby as some of her closest friends are going to other schools, and it's the end of an era. I don't know if it has fully hit her yet, although she is definitely excited about Secondary School. She's not quite as tall as Helen yet, but will be there very soon

Oliver Eagleton, The Starmer Project: A Journey to the Right

 A depressing read which didn't tell me anything I didn't know already about Starmer and the takeover of the Labour Party by an economically liberal, socially conservative pro-establishment clique that see the biggest threat to the UK coming from the left rather than the right. It's so demoralising that these ghouls with no motivation to change society for the better are in chare of the workers' party with no way to dislodge them. There is no chance of anyone even vaguely left wing getting on the leadership ballot paper soon or the NEC returning to the left with the current rules. Every day I wonder why I continue to give my membership fees to a party that are just scamming workers. if the sum total of their offer is 'we are Tories, but more competent', then ugh. 

Hilary Mantel, Beyond Black

 A re-read of a book I remember being very dark and scary. It still is, but on a very dull note the thing I found most interesting was that in my mind the house where the protagonists lived was on the east side of Knaphill when I read it the first time, somewhere around Strathcona Gardens near our Kev, but on the 2nd read they were nearer to Sainsbury's, Percheron Drive. I had to Google map those names. We are in the middle of a heatwave at the moment, and are expecting record breaking temperatures in the UK of 40 later. it's 10 in the morning and 31 already here, and the heat in the house is unbearable. Downstairs is a lot better, but i can't be bothered to move all my stuff down there to work. I'm sleeping downstairs and it is quite pleasant at night, but there was a fire in Woking last night so everything now smells of smoke.

Miles Russell & Stuart Laycock, UnRoman Britain: Exposing the Great Myth of Britannia

 Took a while as I was away camping with the cubs this weekend. I took the book with me, but I was never going to get a chance to read any of it. It was crazy hot, 30 degrees plus, but the cubs slept well and had a great time. We were at Walton Firs again, we'll have to find somewhere different for next year. I've picked up a bit of a cold from one of them so am coughing away and can feel it in my lungs, but have tested negative for COVID-19. Today is our 20th Wedding Anniversary, but Helen is back working in town now and doesn't get back until very late, so we can't really do anything. Hopefully we can celebrate soon

Max Porter, Grief is the thing with feathers

 That hit hard. A very short book about a father of two young sons whose wife has passed away suddenly and left him bereft, numb and unable to cope. A giant crow shows up to help him and the boys through those first stages. I'm not doing it justice, but it was a beautiful study of grief and dealing with loss and I'm rather morbidly putting it to one side in case I ever face a similar situation (God willing that doesn't happen).

Michael Crick, Militant

 A bit of a journalistic hatchet job, and some strange juxtapositions - on one hand Militant is portrayed as an ultra-disciplined, well-resourced dedicated revolutionary cadre, on the other hand the entire regional headquarters for some areas is one bloke and a rented room above a pub with some books. I'm not a revolutionary, but I'm comfortable sharing the broad church labour party with people to the left, unlike many, and I still believe Kinnock (and now Starmer) are wrong to punch left. The logic is that it makes them seem responsible, aligned to the establishment and more like a government in waiting, but at what cost? Surely the enemy are to the right of us? And if you believe the real enemy is to the left, should you be in a Labour Party?  Having said that, I do believe in democracy, and would rather live in a democracy than an undemocratic socialist state. But the answer to that isn't for the right of the Labour party to fix elections, impose candidates and expel people, it's to introduce more democracy - open selections of MPS, open primaries. If you want to reduce the risk of anti-democratic elements taking over a local party, then expand the franchise, don't restrict it.

John Fowles, The Collector

 Seemed very modern, and similar to the many gory misogynistic police procedurals where a disturbed quiet man kidnaps and tortures a pretty young woman, Much more than that though, and presumably quite original when John Fowles wrote it, even if the themes are sadly perennial

Susan Stokes-Chapman, Pandora

 A Georgian thriller inspired by the myth of Pandora. I rattled through it, enjoying the villainous uncle, the mysterious deaths, the worthy heroine and hero. Libby went back to school yesterday for the first time, and had a transition day at Woking High, which she seems to have really enjoyed. She was a bit tired and grumpy when I picked her up from her friend Ella's house afterwards, but she has been through a lot after all. Every day she seems a little better, although she is not allowed to take part in physical activities still. I don't miss all those trips up to hospital, and Libby is ok to sleep by herself again now after clinging to Helen for 10 days, so that's good.

Anna Keay, The Restless Republic: Britain Without a Crown

'Slogged through that, a perfectly interesting and detailed history of life in Britain during the Cromwellian era, but never really gripped me. Of course, there have been other things on our minds with Libby recovering from Appendicitis. She came home on Thursday and has been slowly recovering, although she is still in a lot of pain, has lost a lot of confidence and is very, very bored at home. She has missed a load of activities she was really looking forward to - birthday parties for Romilly and Martha and Scoutabout, so she is very down. she had visits from friends yesterday which really perked her up, and hopefully she will be able to go on her tour of Woking High tomorrow. we will see though as she needs to be able to walk a lot further than she is managing at the moment

Ali Smith, Summer

Enjoyed that, but like all of Ali Smith's works the allusions and clever structure go over my head. Neither here nor there though because for the past few days it's been all about Libby. On Friday evening (today is Wednesday) she started complaining about a tummy ache. We thought it was probably just constipation so we didn't think too much of it and gave her some painkillers. On Saturday it was getting worse and she was obviously in a lot of pain, and we should have learnt our lesson from when she broke her arm - if Libby says she is in pain, she is in pain. By Saturday evening we were thinking we should take her for medical advise, but A&E on a Saturday night is not pretty so we left it to Sunday am. Helen took her to the walk in centre in Woking when it opened at 8 and by then she was in real pain and got referred to St Peter's. they pumped her full of morphine and started testing thinkin it was some form of infection. It turned out to be appendicitis, the poor lamb, and a really bad infection. they finally were able to operate at 1 in the morning. I went to see her on Monday and broke down completely. the emotions hit me and I started sobbing uncontrollably when I saw her lying asleep in the hospital bed. MY wails were so bad I woke her up and she just said 'Don't cry Daddy, I'm ok', which just set me off even more. Helen has been a wondermum and stayed with her throughout, not leaving the bedside. Libby seems to be recovering well though and the infection is reducing - hopefully she can come home today.

Victor Sebestyen, Budapest:Between East and West

 More of a history of Hungary as a whole rather than about Budapest, but very enjoyable and readable, even if the 20th Century was thoroughly depressing. Of course I'll read anything featuring the period of the dual monarchy, that mad, polyglot paradoxical civilisation that was lost forever on the Eastern Front. Hottest day of the year so far, 30 degrees currently. Poor Fred is on his DoE practice expedition today so will be melting on Horsell Common somewhere. I struggled to sleep last night as it was so hot, and as Buzz needed to go  to the Vets for an operation all the windows were shut to keep him in. Hopefully will sleep better tonight

Mick Herron, Dolphin Junction

 A collection of entertaining short stories. Most had macabre twists you could see coming, but still enjoyed the daark humour and misdirection - like an episode of Inside No. 9. Fred and I are going on a Nightjar Walk tonight on the common, which means being out until nearly midnight on a school night. Hopefully it will be enjoyable and we'll hear one or two. It was Steve's birthday yesterday so I popped over some Madri lager and a card, and on the way called in to Sainsbury's and emptied them of liquid refreshment to cope with the coming heatwave.

John Steinbeck, America and Americans and Selected Nonfiction

 A collection of Steinbeck's Nonfiction, and honestly I think I prefer it - he's such a good writer about America and much more besides. Not much happening in life at the moment, high summer is starting and we are preparing for 30 degree heat this week. Helen cut William's hair yesterday and he is now parading round making it spikey when he should be getting ready for school. i got a good bonus so am spending it on frivolous things - a bug zapper for Helen, a Shipping Forecast T-shirt and a new Wahoo device for my exercise bike so far. . . 

Isabel Colgate, The Shooting Party

 'Recommended somewhere or other. The foreword in my edition was written by Julian Fellowes, the perfect person to write about a novel concerning a pre-war shooting party, it was obviously a great influence on Gosford Park and Downton Abbey. The absurdity, waste and boredom of the aristocratic lifestyle is recognised by both Fellowes and Colegate, but never seriously questioned - both lament a lost world that has passed, of civilisation, certainty and ritual. Fellowes unthinkingly at one stage talks of how domestic service was immensely beneficial to domestic servants, and that it was an act of benificence for landowners to employ and find a living for so many - an inversion of the reality of dozens of useful people having their talents and resources wasted to maintain one single person's gilded existence when they could have been doing so much more for society and themselves.

Ryan Lavelle, Cnut

 'The latest in the pocket-size Penguin Monarchs. I was at Uni with Ryan Lavelle, but I don't expect he would remember me. He now appears to be the go-to expert for Anglo-Saxon warfare! Meanwhile I struggle to do my laces up without help standing up again. . . We spent the jubilee weekend away on a last minute break at a caravan park the other side of the New Forest. The kids really enjoyed it, lots of activities and a swimming pool. I got to get lost while running in a different forest and it was nice to get away, but back down to earth now as I write this on a monday morning before my first work call. It's so nice we can still go away as a family, it may not be for much longer as Fred is entering teenage territory. Right now he is happy to come away and play with/look after his brother and sister, but that may change. I hope not.

Janice Hallett, The Twyford Code

 Not read such an unputdownable book in a long time. An unreliable narrator who sounds like my dad, a mixture of Agatha Christie and Enid Blyton with code-cracking, bank heists and capers thrown in, expertly done and so enjoyable. It may have helped that the author grew up in Northolt and went to RHUL, so I felt an affinity straight away. Fred is back from Newquay now having had a fantastic time away and all three kids are now having a lazy half-term doing nothing. the Jubilee weekend starts tomorrow and we are going away for a few days, but the weather forecast doesn't look good. The most exciting thing about the jubilee to me is a new trifle has been released. I'll make it tomorrow. . . 

Colin Dexter, Death Is Now My Neighbour, Eleanor Parker, Conquered: The Last Children of Anglo-Saxon England

 The last Morse and my final reread. As I've said before, the attitudes and assumptions have dated badly, but he is still a compelling character. When I thin of reading Morse I'm on a platform at Clapham Junction, so I guess the first time I read them was when I was working in Hammersmith and commuting in from Woking, so the early 2000s. It wasn't the best of times for me from what I can remember, I hated the commute and remember I was always rushing to get trains, but why? What was I rushing to get home for? Helen would have been working to late anyway and my social life was in town rather than Woking. I was unfit too, it was a bit later I started swimming that got me back to a reasonable level of fitness. It was about the time we were married, so there were obviously some good times. Work was a bit dull too up in Hammersmith. Not at all challenging. Although I remember being on a conference call for an hour and thinking what a colossal waste of time - now it's what I seem to do all day, every day.

John Goodall, The Castle

 Nice to read something by someone who knows and loves his subject, apparently this is a companion piece to John Goodall's well-respected 'The English Castle', which is in my 'to-read' pile but is so big and heavy the bedroom floor is bowing under its weight. It's too big to carry so will never be one of my everyday reads, it's next in line after a similar behemoth about William Morris that I read a few pages of at night sometimes. 'The Castle' was nice though, lots of bite-sized chunks about various castles at various notable points in history to illustrate the development of the castle as a thing and as a concept. Freddie left for his school trip to Newquay earlier today and has already WhatsApped me from the service station asking which sun cream to buy as he forgot to pack his. I can see that he's in Newquay now, hopefully out on the beach and will have a great time over the next few days

John Steinbeck, To A God Unknown

 'An early Steinbeck, his second I believe. Unmistakably Steinbeck, though, set in the Californian valleys  with a mix of mythology and messianism and the struggle to exist and make the ground bloom. Libby is back from her school trip to Swanage, and hasn't said much but seems to have had a good time. a few of her friends had to come home as they were a little upset or ill, but Lib coped. Fred is off to Newquay on Friday for a similar thing, I hope he has fun. He seems to take most things in his stride, but does get worried sometimes about little things. William and I went to Bazzaz on Saturday, an event for all Surrey Beavers. It was total chaos and trying to keep control of 6 Beavers was impossible. At one stage I lost two, including William. Luckily they  eventually showed up at the Lego tent

Richard Abels, Aethelred the Unready

 Another of the newly released Penguin Monarchs series, a little pocket book of condensed history. Nice easy reading, and has an attempt to rescue the Unready from his 'bad king' reputation acquired in Victorian times. England does appear to have been a very prosperous place under him, but crimes like the St Brice's Day massacre, which would be called Ethnic cleansing today, and the loss of England to Cnut can still be laid at his door. Libby returns from her Y6 residential in a few hours. It's been strange not having her round,  I've really missed her, like with Fred in the Beacons a few weeks ago. I hope she had a wonderful time

David Mitchell, Cloud Atlas

 'It's been on the 'maybe read one day' list for a while and finally got around to it. I knew it was a collection of interlocking stories throughout time, but the thread biding them together wasn't always clear to me. Certainly not as effective as similar books like Italo Calvino's 'If on a Winters Night. . .' and the superlative 'Charlie Cook's Favourite Book'. Helen and I went out together for the first time in far too long on saturday to see the revived 'Jerusalem' with Mark Rylance. It really was as incredible as people say, Rylance's performance was astonishing, no idea how he does that every night and twice on saturdays. Spent too much time celeb-spotting too. We saw Jarvis Cocker looking a bit lost on Shaftesbury Avenue (I wish we'd asked him if he knew how to get to St Martin's college), and Tim Robbins bumped into me twice at the interval. He's very tall, he must have struggled in the tiny seats in the Apollo.

Scott G. Bruce, The Penguin Book of Dragons

 'A compilation of mythology, literature and lore relating to the mythical creatures common to many cultures - savage, winged reptiles with a greed for gold and other very human characteristics as well as the ability to terrify and destroy. It was a bit dry in places, and I did skip the excerpt from Spenser's The Faerie Queene that went on and on in Elizabethan english. I read this with my niece Amy in mind, who loves mythology and animals and I thought she might like this. I've whatsapped her about it, but she hasn't yet replied to her dull uncle who keeps forcing books on her. 

Libby is in the middle of her SATS at the moment and seems to be coping, but it is incredible the pressure some of the kids are under - they are being hothoused, tutored, removed from normal after-school activities. I don't understand. The outcome will be a higher grade than the grade the student is naturally capable of, meaning they go into a higher class with more expectations that they won't be able to meet without more tutoring, hothousing and stress, and on and on through university and life. It's a recipe for miserable people in positions they are not capable of performing and the concomitant stress and misery.

John Le Carré, A Murder Of Quality

 His second book and more of a murder mystery than a spy thriller, although Smiley remains the central character. There is an afterword written recently by Le Carre which is eviscerating about the english education system and the divisive nature that  causes so much damage to society. He said it far more eloquently than I could ever manage, but the dilutes the force of his argument by admitting that he did, of course, send his own children to private school. William had a lovely 8th birthday in the end, although his part is still to come next weekend. Libby has SATS this week and so many of her friends and parents are freaking out with the pressure, another sign of our broken education system

Graham Robb, France: An Adventure History

 'I bet he had fun writing that. Not quite a history, not quite a travelogue, but a book by someone who loves France, loves cycling, and particularly loves cycling around France and writing about it. Luckily I love cycling, love France, and love reading about someone cycling around France. Freddie got back ok from his expedition to the Brecon Beacons. It took him a few days to recover, but he made it up Pen Y Fan and seems rightfully proud of himself for all his efforts. Tomorrow is William's 8th birthday, and we haven't done nearly enough to prepare. I should spend more time and effort with him, I'm beginning to understand how tough it is to be a younger sibling and have to fight for attention. To often he is an afterthought and that's not right

Kazuo Ishiguro, Never Let Me Go

 Now that was a great read. Not at all what I was expecting, and I still can't believe that a man, let alone a man who went to school in Woking, was able to create characters who seemed so real, normal and with so much empathy. I would have assumed it was a female writer If I wasn't aware of the author's identity. On top of that it was such a well-realised and imagined alternative world, as real and disturbing as Gilead with it's almost identical parallel to our own world with one slight twist that alarms and changes so much. I'll be adding in to Helen's pile for her book club reads, and have put 'The Remains Of The Day' on to my wish list. The children are growing up - William and Libby are at the school disco tonight and Fred is off on a 4 day expedition to the Brecon Beacons. Mind you, he's just made such a palaver of going into Woking to get his own tea. 'What if they ask me questions?' 'What if i don't know the answer?' 'Should I take a bag?' 'What sort of bag should I take?' Bless him i think he's just a little nervous, hopefully he'll thrive.

Tom Holland, Athelstan

 Part of the pocket-size Penguin Monarchs series, and fewer than 100 pages. We've been watching The Last Kingdom on Netflix, and Kev was asking about the historicity of it so I thought I'd have a refresh. The earlier series revolving around Alfred's court seemed to have been fairly historically accurate as you'd expect from Bernard Cornwell, but the more recent series seem to take  much larger liberties (which is fine, it's all just a bit of fun). Freddie is off on another explorer trip this weekend, this time to the Brecon Beacons, He is a little worried, but I'm very proud of him

G.K. Chesterton, The Man Who Was Thursday

 'Not sure why this is revered so much - 'the best spy book ever written'  apparently, when it is nothing of the sort. It's very Victorian and stiff, and while the idea of a group of anarchists where everyone there is actually a secret policeman is a funny one, there's no understanding or attempt to understand the motives behind anarchists and terrorists and when policemen trust the personal honour of the anarchists not to reveal who they really are, well. . . . Great title for a book though.

Nicholas Stargardt, The German War: A Nation Under Arms, 1939-45

 'Happy springtime reading. . . Actually it was really interesting to read an account of WWII from a different perspective, the ordinary experience of German workers and families during the war. Still pretty horrific of course, full or paranoia, misinformation, distrust, propaganda, deprivation, not knowing what is happening to loved ones at the front. . . 

Simon Winchester, Land: How the Hunger for ownership shaped the modern world, Dasa Drndic, Trieste

 'Land' was an entertaining, pop read on the subject of land ownership and how the absurdity that one person can say 'this is mine' over a piece of land has evolved and shaped history and our surroundings. 'Trieste' I'm still not sure what to make of. It revolves around the impact of Nazi policies towards Jews and the Lebensborn programme in Northern Italy, but is a partly fictionalised, partly documentary (although it is not clear which is which always). It's got me back in a WWII mood though, currently reading another book on the subject. IRL, it's been a wonderful week. Me and the kids had three lovely days in the New Forest, despite the occasional grump and gripe about being made to walk. The place we stayed in was full of old guiding memorabilia from a time when Britain ruled the world, and the rooms had wonderful colonial and imperial flavours. The house was tumbledown and neglected, but that just added to the charm. It was nice to get an insight into guiding too. It was my birthday yesterday so I took the day off too. i wanted to try and run 20 miles, which would be a record for me, but as I got that far I thought I'd keep going and try to do a marathon distance. i managed it, but by Gum it was hard work and I was walking a lot of the last four miles. Starting to stiffen up now, although the most painful bit is a friction burn on my inner right arm where it was rubbing against my flab!

Roberto Bolańo, Nazi Literature in the Americas

 He must have loved writing this, a fictionalised history of imaginary notable American right-wing authors. Endlessly creative, an entire world built on a skewed version of 20th Century Latin American history. My head hurts so much at the moment, I went out on saturday with friends from school and still haven't recovered

Tore Skeie: The Wolf Age: The Vikings, the Anglo-Saxons and the Battle for the North Sea Empire

 Nice to read something about the period from a different perspective, more balanced towards the Norwegians and Danes and seeing them as part of an overall milieu rather than faceless 'others' who have no history until the appear on the shores of Northumbria. Slept in my own bed for the first time in a while last night as we have been in the tent. It's too hot in the house though! I would happily sleep out in the tent all the time I think, as long as there is a warm blanket and sleeping bag and the house is a few steps away if I need anything. I'm taking the kids down to the New Forest for a few days next week without Helen. I think I'm more excited about it than they are though, I hope it goes well.

Maurice Leblanc, Arséne Lupin:Gentleman Thief

 Just finished a three day training course on Scalable Agile Framework and cannot face the backlog of emails so writing here instead. It's gonna be a mad couple of days I think. Lupin is experiencing a moment following the updated Netflix series which is very cool and stylish, so the original books set in the France of the Belle Epoque are being republished at the moment. They haven't dated at all, it really is surprising they are not more popular here, a wonderful read. I made my way through this collection of short stories in a day, and have ordered a box set on special offer. Lovely light reading, but like Sherlock Holmes or PG Wodehouse, best done in bite sized chunks

Emmanuel Carrére, The Kingdom

 Not a book I would normally have read, by a very clever French thinker and about the early church and the gospel of Luke and a fictionalised account of what his life could have been. I think I got it as it has a nice cover with some wonderful quotes. I did really enjoy it, although I think a lot of the theology and morality passed me by. I continue to be shocked at how different the Jesus of the New Testament is to the Jesus presented to us by the Church, and I don't know which I dislike more - the tetchy, unforgiving, harsh contrarian of the NT, or the perfect, all-loving, all-compassionate kindly Christ presented to us. I'm currently on a Scaled Agile Training course being run remotely and it's difficult to be engaged. It's nice to be training again, but this is not the best way to do it. It's also affecting my running. It's a combination of things, but the clocks going forward, the early start of the course each day and sleeping in a tent mean it's tough to get up and head out running, so I've lost my motivation a little. I'm on the exercise bike instead, but I should be out and about

Colin Dexter, The Daughters of Cain

 I must have said this before, but Morse has dated so badly. He's still a wonderful, compelling character, but the casual sexism and lechery  is shocking in the era of #metoo. Things that seem ok for Morse and the author to think or say are not OK, it would be considered predatory behaviour from an authority figure now. Easter holidays have started, and Fred decided to put the family tent up as a project. He did a great job, but the last few nights it's been minus degrees until last night, when it was 5 degrees. So everyone wanted to sleep out. William made it until 02:30 due to the cold, Libby until 4-ish, but Fred lasted the night. I managed to get some little sleep, I think I'll be out there with them for a few weeks, but I'm happy about that, its nice to be in the open air.

Margaret Atwood, Payback:Debt and the Shadow Side of Wealth

 'A non-fiction essay by Margaret Atwood, written in response to the financial crisis of 2007. a really easy, engaging and entertaining read about the concept of reciprocity, co-operation, obligations and their effects. Lots of moral elements to it for Atwood, tying debt with sin and redemption and good works

A.K. Blakemore, The Manningtree Witches

 A debut novel which received some very good reviews, and has a wonderful use of language, as perhaps you would expect from a poet. Set in the civil way in the Essex of Matthew Hopkins and witch-finding. Very interesting on how society allows and encourages the mistreatment and intolerance of independent females who by their very existence seem to threaten the existing (and tenuous due to the civil war) social structures. 

James Rebanks, English Pastoral: An Inheritance

 'Two sides to this, firstly, and very uncharitable, it's  nature-indulgence for townies like me who yearn to be horny-handed sons of the soil and escape to a simpler time and place working four ourselves and seeing the fruits of our labours. An entirely impractical dream, and it's clear from all these books and programmes that it is only sustainable for the authors or presenters as they have an outside or independent income. Occasionally there are allusions to this in the book and the enchanted mirror image of an independent traditional farmer relying only on his own hard work on the farm is tarnished. On the other hand, a very important critique of the way we have over-developed, over-farmed and destroyed the landscape and environment to industrialise unsustainable farming - in the short-term more people can be fed and cheaper, but in the long run we risk destroying the fertility and productivity of the landscape.

 Freddie is back from his expedition - he survived, but he found it really tough and is truly exhausted. He's not had blisters before, and he was so nervous on this hike he couldn't eat properly, bless him. But he made it through, and it was a higher level than he is doing and he was with the older explorers. He will learn a lot from it, I just hope it doesn't put him off. He managed to put the trangia together and safely cook an evening meal, and put the tent up and sleep out in freezing temperatures, I know i couldn't have done that at his age.

On Saturday I got roped into helping out at William's Beaver Science Day. i was in charge of density, acids and alkalines and didn't have a clue at first. By the 9th group though I had got into my showman's patter and was able to bullshit with the best of them about what was happening. Is that all science is?

Matthew Kneale, Pilgrims

 More light reading, the tale of a chaotic bunch of medieval pilgrims making their way to Rome for a wide variety of reasons, from the pious to the proud to the opportunistic. Kept a smile on my face throughout and was glad of a happy ending. Freddie is off on an overnight hike with the Explorers this weekend with a spot of wild camping, so we are busy preparing for that. Helen, Freddie (and me if I'm honest) are a little worried with how he is going to cope sleeping out, fending for himself and so on, but let's see. It will be a challenge but hopefully he will enjoy the experience

Penelope Corfield, The Georgians: The Deeds and Misdeeds of 18th Century Britain

 I'm naturally biased about a book by one of my own tutors, but it was so wide-ranging, erudite and readable, it's a shame she hasn't written more. She wears her knowledge and learning so lightly and it is full of interesting little snippets coming right up to the present day about the influence of Georgians on our current customs and way of life. Here at home, spring has arrived, I'm still avoiding the doomscrolling of the newsfeeds and Twitter and writing this on a Friday afternoon when I have had quite enough of work and just want to log off. I still have to get through Cubs though, and I'm on my own tonight. . . 

Francis Spufford, Light Perpetual

 A very lovely novel based on the conceit that 5 children's lives that were extinguished when a V2 rocket landed on Woolworths in  the fictional Bexford in SE London had continued - the lives the 5 led, how they would have developed and suffered tragedy and impacted on others. I really enjoyed it and found myself caring for the characters. This weekend I took Libby up to the British Museum for a sleepover, the first time we have been able to go in over 2 years due to Covid-19. We had a lovely time, although Libby was a bit bored being with her dull dad until her friend Martha showed up. It was good to spend some time with her though, the teenage years will be hitting soon and she might not be so happy to spend time with me then

Bart Van Loo, The Burgundians: A Vanished Empire- A History of 1111 Years and one day

 A great big doorstop and a fun read by an irreverent historian, will have to look out for more from Bart Van Loo. The list of characters was overwhelming though and mostly new to me, but so interesting to see a different view of medieval history. Spring appears to be here, I was 29 seconds off a PB in the Surrey Half on Sunday when I only really wanted to get round in under 2 hours, so really happy about that 

Christopher Wilson, Hurdy Gurdy

 Adrian Mole in the 14th Century - the story on one young innocent's adventures as he unwittingly spreads the Black Death around the villages and monasteries of the Midlands. Very funny and pure light relief which is all I need right now. Have stopped scrolling through Twitter and the News feeds (not even 24 hours yet, and I still read the paper) to try and calm myself down.

Vives/Ruppert/Mulot, The Grande Odalisque

 Can't remember why I bought this, must have been recommended somewhere. A French graphic novel about three female master criminals and assassins. Very adolescent stuff, not a patch on Tintin and Asterix. The invasion of Ukraine continues but seems to have slowed. Europe seems to be uniting and Putin appears to have miscalculated, but the danger now is what will he do next. How will he escalate and will it involve god forbid nuclear weapons?

Stella Gibbons, Christmas on Cold Comfort Farm, Simon Kuper, Barca - The Inside story of the world's greatest football club

 The invasion of Ukraine doesn't seem to have gone to plan to Putin and the west seem to have hardened resolve, with Germany breaking their rules to provide military equipment to Ukraine, and Finland and Sweden considering joining NATO - so the hoped-for destabilisation of the west doesn't seem to have worked. Personally this is the place where i divide with the 'Stop the War' Left who look to hold NATO at least partially responsible for Putin's aggressiveness. On the other hand, Putin's pronouncements are getting more and more threatening and he is talking about nuclear war to counter aggression from the west. Horrific. I hadn't realised Stella gibbons had written more about Cold comfort Farm, but it turned out to be a collection of her short stories, none of which were anywhere near the brilliance of CCF. May have to reread, a true comfort book. I've looked out for Simon Kuper's work since his wonderful 'Football Against the Enemy' in the early '90s about how politics and football come together, more of that here, with some incredible insights into Cruyff and Messi's Barcelona

Shirley Collins, America Over The Water

 I'm in a bit of a dark place at the moment. Struggling to sleep, loss of appetite and an emptiness in the pit of my stomach. Work is a bit stressful but I think on the whole it is due to the horrific situation in Eastern Europe, as Putin has just invaded Ukraine. He is just not going to stop. He's prepared to go to war and will sooner or later come directly into conflict with a NATO country and then it could be the end of humanity. There's no-one in Russia that can stand up to him and no amount of sanctions will affect him. Hard to see a good outcome at the moment

I saw Shirley Collins speak at Hay a few years ago, purely because Stewart Lee was introducing her. I didn't know very much about her, but as a socialist, folklorist and folk singer she should be right up my alley. I found her fascinating and her love of music and folkways shone through when she spoke and in the book. Incredible that she was accompanying Alan Lomax on those field recordings to capture a hidden centuries-old tradition. where I differed from her was in her insistence that contemporary artists not innovate and perform songs only as the would have been performed in the 15th, 16th, etc century and they be venerated. It seems so odd to me to think that way - the songs themselves have evolved and changed over the centuries, why halt that evolution? I guess I see what Shirley Collins is getting at when you hear samples of long-forgotten folk singers resurrected by Moby and used to sell cars, but on the other hand it is bringing old music to a new audience and allowing those songs to be heard and appreciated again

Conn Iggulden, Dunstan

 Lent to me by the dad of one of Libby's friends. I think I've read some of Conn Iggulden's Roman novels, but this is set in Saxon England, a fictionalised account of the life of St Dunstan, who seemed a right terror. Couldn't help but be strongly reminded of Bernard Cornwell's Warlord books, which cover a similar period in a similar way. I'm going to return the favour by lending The Winter King. 

Jerry Brotton & Nick Millea, Fifty Maps and the stories they tell

 'Another bed-time dipping-in book, as my read rate has slowed drastically along with my exercise over the past few days. Helen is working incredibly long hours and has to go back into the office on weds and thurs, so I struggled to get any time to do anything, and since then we have had Libby and Helen's birthdays and parties so again no time for exercise. Hopefully I can fit in something tonight. It doesn't help that my finger's still bandaged up and out of action. We caved in the night before Libby's birthday on Friday and got her a phone, which is the one thing she wanted for her birthday. Most of her friends have one, but we have been saying for a long time that she would get it when she started school. We caved though as we couldn't think what else to get her, and tbf, it seems like the right time as most in her class now have a phone.

Matt Zoller Seitz, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Barry Cunliffe, Britain Begins

 A coffee-table book which I read in chunks before bed. A beautiful book full of stills and sketches from the film, which I love. I wasn't a huge fan of Wes Anderson before the film, but the combination of Anderson and Stefan Zweig produced something wonderful, a lament for that lost, gentle, Habsburg world where civilised people could travel across europe and be at home anywhere. Of course, it's an imagined world, the reality was nothing like that and the anti-semitism, exploitation of the underclass and stultifying bureaucracy are glossed over. Britain Begins was one of those Barry Cunliffe books I could already have read. He's wonderful at telling the story of these islands through the archeological evidence we have, but he is such a prolific writer I'm never quite sure what I have read already. My fault, of course. In the real world I managed to slice open my finger yesterday with the breadknife and spent the afternoon at the NHS Walk-In Centre. I also sat on my glasses and broke the. so that's Valentine's day.

Jay Parini, Borges and Me

 A fictionalised memoir recommended by Helen's Aunt Jane, who you have to listen to when she recommends a book cause she knows her onions. I'm not at all familiar with Borges, and don't know how much the eccentric character in the books is based in reality. It was a mixture of an encounter with greatness for a young impressionable man and a quixotic road-trip romp through the Highlands. Borges falls downs hills, jumps in lochs and discusses the nature of creativity and the writing process while eating cheese rolls. quite sweet but didn't make me say Wow. I seem to remember it was featured on A Good Read, might have to dig it out and relisten 

Mick Herron, Joe Country

 I very much enjoy the wit and dialogue of Mick Herron's books, and the wonderful characters of Jackson Lamb, Roddy Ho and Diana Taverner. There's a TV version coming out in April starring Gary Oldman and I'll be watching it excitedly. But after six or seven books with similar plots and politics, it's becoming samey. Some new faces join the slow horses for unfair reasons, someone is trying to frame them, the Park massively muck up and expose state secrets, there's a climax involving blood and death and then Jackson Lamb saves the situation while picking his nose. I bought a book of Mick Herron's short stories, it will be interesting to see how much I enjoy his writing outside of the world of Slough House

Owen Wister, The Virginian

 I was really looking forward to this, billed as the first western and immensely influential on 20th Century American culture. I could cope with the dated supremacist mindset similar to Gone With The Wind, but I guess that for me the western is primarily a cinematic medium, and I want to see the epic scenery, the harshness and beauty of nature and the lone hero with his code of honour prevailing against the odds.  I got all that, but the environment didn't come to life on the page and there was far, far too much of an interminable courting of a dull prim schoolmarm that would have been at home in any Victorian hack's novel

Tom Shippey, The Road to Middle-Earth: A Detailed Journey to the roots of The Lord Of The Rings

 . . . Or There And Back Again. A study into Tolkien's inspirations and creative process for the development of Middle-Earth, a life-long labour of love by a philologist to produce a mythology for England. And along the way creating some of the most popular works of fiction in the 20th Century, almost as a by-product. Intriguing how Tolkien did not seem to care for consistent plotting, or character development, but what did matter was that all the names of everything had to be rooted in the ancient languages he loved. I did skip large parts of it, just like the interminable poetry in the books. Libby is out of isolation following her second COVID bout, everyone else is fine, THFC have had yet another disappointing transfer window, can't see Conte hanging around sadly. The Prime Minister and Chief National Embarrassment is defending his conduct following the report into the parties at 10 Downing Street during lockdown, and I've stuck a tenner on Tom Tugendhat as the next leader of the Tory party, as I cannot imagine the Tory MPS putting Liz Truss on the ballot or Tory members voting for Rishi Sunak or Michael Gove. I'm an awful pundit though, so sorry for ruining your chances, Tom.

Jerome K Jerome, Three Men In a Boat

 Had forgotten quite how funny this book is. It would have been better read on a hot idle summer's day than puffing on an exercise bike through the drear of January, but still enjoyable. I can't think when I last read it, but it must be nearly 30 years as I wasn't at all familiar with the geography of the Thames at the time, I'm sure. Also noticeable that people who I saw as impossibly posh and well bred then are now lower-class snotty clerks. What have I become?

William Golding, The Spire

 I had to read the wikipedia entry after to understand what was going on, as a lot of the imagery and symbolism went over my head. Set in a medieval cathedral city, it is the story of the Dean of the cathedral's obsession with constructing a magnificent spire to reflect the glory of god. It's a lot darker than Ken Follett's rollicking efforts with similar set-ups, as the Dean's obsession becomes all-consuming, he neglects his flock and his own spiritual salvation before everything comes crumbling down. Yesterday poor Libby tested positive for COVID-19, the second time for her and likely the new omicron variant that seems to be much more infections if not so serious in effect as previous variants. so many cases around at the moment, and restrictions are being lifted, so it's probably only a matter of time before the rest of us succumb. I still find it incredible that Helen, Freddie and William could live in a house with Libby and me when we were infections and not pick it up first time round.

Martin Latham, The Bookseller's Tale

 'Very eclectic, a mixture of the history of the book (rather than the history of reading), of libraries and the personal reminiscences of the former manager of Waterstone's in Canterbury. A comfort read, which also identified some more potential comfort reads - The Man Who Was Thursday, The Shooting Party and Cloud Atlas are all on my list now. Libby tested positive for COVID-19 this morning, every day there are more revelation about parties Boris Johnson has had at Downing Street and Russia are poised to invade Ukraine. It's also a dreary Tuesday in September and when I went to The Wheatsheaf last night they were out of proper beer. I've been in better moods.

Alan Garner, Treacle Walker

 A mixture of english folklore and particle physics, although I only learned that last bit from listening to a podcast about the book afterwards. To me it seemed to be about comics coming to life rather than the elasticity of time, the duality of things and the ability to exist and not exist simultaneously. But I  probably just don't think enough about books or take the time to reflect on them before cracking open another. Alan Garner is so feted I should spend more time getting to know his books, I've only read The Owl Service before, which was ok but didn't envelope me. Maybe I would have felt differently reading it when I was younger, I'm not really the demographic now.

Hermann Hesse, Steppenwolf

 A great title for a book, no wonder the rock band nicked it. I think it was expecting a dual nature novel along the lines of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde, but it was much more earnest than that, a story of a man who takes himself and life far, far too seriously. at the very end he says 'One day I would play the game of many figures better. One day I would learn to laugh.' By gum, that's glum. Libby cycled home from school by herself today for the first time. I was a bit of an over-worried Dad so went down to the canal to make sure she got over Chobham Road safely, but she was fine of course. She's a good girl, she still comes along to Cubs every week to help out even though she is in Scouts now. She loves being in authority and helping out adults, she will be a great teacher, copper or government snitch one day.

Clare Jackson, Devil-Land England under Siege, 1588-1688

 A book about foreign relations under the Stuarts, and their immensely complex shifting foreign alliances to help with domestic pressures and the desire to control the three kingdoms. I've read a lot on the period, but this was a different lens and helped explain more about the complications brought about by the need to support/have the support of the protestant Palatinate Stuarts. In the real world, everyone appears to be waiting for Boris Johnson to go, either resigning or by facing a vote of no confidence, following the  reporting of his lockdown parties. I'm a terrible pundit, but I think he'll survive this one, if only though his utter shamelessness and lack of an alternative acceptable to Conservative MPs. I think he'd win any no-confidence vote. I still think he'll go before the next election though. In the meantime the Conservative MP for Bury South has defected to Labour, and caused the usual controversy. Until yesterday the Labour Party was united round the fact that he was an awful anti-working class Tory, now the official line is that he has seen the light and is welcomed to a centrist, moderate party. However there are plenty of us that don't feel comfortable being in the same party as people who stood on the 2019 Tory manifesto, it goes against so much of my own beliefs. The reality is that he's just a blatant opportunist, and it is a propaganda coup for Keir Starmer. He must have cut a deal with the party to guarantee his selection as candidate at the next election (or been promised a peerage) as I can't imagine the local CLP will readily accept him. 

Laurence Sterne, A Sentimental Journey

 That was a worrying read, because I really struggled to digest it. For a long time now, I would have answered the question 'what is your favourite novel?' with the answer 'Tristram Shandy', and would then have pontificated about its wonderful joie de vivre, its  glorification in life's thwarted plans and its humanity and its revelling in a cosmic sense of humour. However having struggled so much with this, I wonder if actually it is just Michael Winterbottom's wonderful film 'A Cock and Bull Story' inspired by Tristram Shandy, which apparently has been a filter in explaining Tristram Shandy to me in noddy terms. There's something very shandyesque about having a favourite book you haven't understood. I was listening to a podcast about Tristram Shandy, which they insisted on calling 'Tristam Shandy' throughout, and they suggested reading one of the nine volumes each year as a treat as the best way to read it. Maybe I can start doing it as a birthday treat each year

Amy Jeffs, Storyland: A New Mythology of Britain

 A retelling of some of the myths of Britain, so many of which I was completely unfamiliar with. I wonder if Amy might be interested, she seems to like mythologies, I will check with her. I do worry about forcing books on people though. It's a beautiful sunny day today, and every day it is getting lighter earlier and staying lighter later, it's so nice. Today we had two very healthy-looking foxes in the garden, who pounced on the left-over Naan and chapatis I threw onto the lawn this morning that were left over from last night. At the weekend I got the family history details from Mum and have been slightly addicted since, looking online at various hints and links to baptismal registers. It's incredible how much more information is available than when I last looked at it 25 years ago, pre-internet. Still plenty of 'ag labs' staying local to Wiltshire, Sussex, IoW and Cambridgeshire though

Robert Rankin, The Antipope

 A nostalgia read. I don't think I've read this since I was 17, as part of a reawakening of reading for me after some fallow years. It was when I was at Uxbridge College so needed something to do on the bus journey there and back (sometimes twice a day) so I started taking advantage of the wonders of Uxbridge Library. I think I started with Terry Pratchett, and picked up a Robert Rankin because the front cover was also by Josh Kirby, so looked very familiar. Other favourite authors of the time were Dick Francis (where did that come from), George MacDonald Fraser and Robert Asprin, who I have hardly thought about since, but whose books I remember finding very funny. I've just googled him and it would appear to be the 'MythAdventures' books I liked so much. Not so much that I want to fork out to read any more though. Same with Robert Rankin, which was just as I remembered it, a strange mix of grubby, dour 70's West London and apocalyptic fantasy. 

Heather Cox Richardson, To Make Men Free: A History of the Republican Party

 A very interesting and very depressing read from one of my current favourite authors, who, inexplicably seems to number our Jonny Clarke among the valued people she consults on American history. Depressing, but not the half of it, as the book was written long before Trump was nominated, and the Tea Party isn't even mentioned. It's a history of the cyclical nature of the Republican party, from a party of equality of opportunity seeking to guard ordinary Americans from wealthy elites (those great Presidents Lincoln, T Roosevelt and Ike), to the in-between party of power held by the wealthy to benefit the wealthy, using the rhetoric of anti-communism, anti-socialism, Americanism, etc allied with racism, homophobia, nationalism and any other tricks required to hold on to power. 

Susan Cooper, The Dark is Rising

 A bonus read, and hopefully the start of a personal tradition. I've reread 'The Dark is Rising' at Christmas before, but never as it unfolds in real time, so starting on Midwinter's Eve and running through to Twelfth Night. I did this year, and was pleasantly surprised to find out from The Guardian Editorial on 3st December that I'm not a weirdo, this is actually a thing: Guardian Editorial

It definitely seemed more magical and exciting in the days before Christmas rather than the last few days of mud, greyness and back-to-work-and-school-ness, and I've never been one for delayed gratification, preferring to binge. So like a Christmas selection box, it doesn't suit me to read a bit of a book every day, I lose the thread and get confused with other books I am reading. It remains a wonderful story for children though, with Will Stanton a cipher for their wish fulfillment about power, being special, danger and knowing stuff adults can't comprehend. a shame my own children show no interest! I'll have to go through Dorney on a cycle to take a good look at the church and big house that are the models for those in Will's Huntercombe. 

John Fowles. The French Lieutenant's Woman

 Best book I have read in a long time and not at all what I was expecting. In my ignorance I assumed it would be a standard Victorian novel of repression, societal restriction and restless romanticism as the heroine spends her waking hours on the Cobb vainly wishing for the return of her lost love. What I hadn't realised was that the book is a post-modern reinvention of the Victorian novel, so although all the above is true, the book comes with a playful narrator who offers alternative endings, can see into the future and play with his characters, and also (hurrah) makes the servants real people with motive and drive rather than wall paper and devices to further the plot. I enjoyed it far more than expected and only wish I'd read it when we holidayed in Lyme, as the town plays such a large part in the early sections of the book. More Fowles please. 

Lucy Mangan, Are We Having Fun Yet?, Caroline Roberts & Angus Hyland, The Book of the Raven: Corvids in Art & Legend

 'I'd read anything by Lucy Mangan, a writer for The Guardian for many years who is an introvert bibliophile with excellent tastes in culture, and writes on the topics and in the style I would if I had the talent. This is her first novel, and as a recent mum it's about the challenges of child-raising. Very funny, and at times was like a mirror on my own life (or how I would like my life to be represented). Worried about Helen reading it as  the husband is very similar to me and is not portrayed in a positive light. This book could cause the Eye of Sauron to be turned on my own slack behaviour. The Book of The Raven was a coffee-table book, read in half an hour or so. Today is my first day back at work and I've been stuck on a call all day so far looking at slides. . .