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. . .