Zoe Gilbert, Mischief Acts

 I read a previous book by Zoe Gilbert, Folk, but it didn't really register. This book had very good reviews though, and the idea of a retelling of the myths of Herne the Hunter throughout the ages was irresistible. Similar to Cuddy, a series of poems and short stories though time held together by a supernatural thread, in this case the mischievous woodland spirit of Herne the Hunter. reminded me very much of Jez Butterworth's 'Jerusalem' too, with the encroachment of society both physically and morally on the free-spirited, free-ranging creatures of the woodlands and their resistance to that encroachment. Helen and I went to see ABBA Voyage last night, a technological marvel in which a youthful ABBA genuinely appear to be on stage in front of you. It was quite a sight and Helen loved it, but I'm not the biggest ABBA fan. I was hoping she'd take a friend! She's not keen to go to see Lloyd Cole in October though, but we compromise 'cause we love each other

Benjamin Myers, Cuddy, Ben Robinson, England's Villages: an Extraordinary Journey Through Time

 'wo books I really enjoyed, although this was probably helped by them being my holiday reading on a very nice break in the Peak District. We stayed in an Airbnb in Hollinsclough, the wing of the old Vicarage which was very cosy and higgledy-piggledy it looked out on Chrome Hill and we were able to walk around the valley from the doorstep, and just had a lovely time. Cuddy is the story of the bones of Saint Cuthbert, and his influence throughout time on a number of people in Durham. In effect a series of linked short stories with a supernatural element. Nice to get immersed in reading again

Geert Mak, In Europe: Travels Through The Twentieth Century

 'That got me back into reading, an incredible interesting and well-written book by a clever, thoughtful writer. At the turn of the century Mak set off to explore Europe, exploring the events of the twentieth century broadly chronologically if he went. A reminder of the horrors Europe has faced, but delivered compassionately and articulately. i really enjoyed Mak's travels around America too, so am now looking for other things in translation by him. we are off to the Peak District tomorrow for a holiday, I really need it, but lots of work to do first

Samuel Fisher, Wivenhoe

 Set in an alternative England which has suffered an ecological catastrophe and is being abandoned by the population. Fascinating to read as those remaining in a small Essex town by the sea are not panicking, they have adjusted to life under several feet of snow and are going about life in an orderly way trying to make sense of the surroundings and stick to established social norms - very difficult when there has been a murder. Nice to enjoy a book again. The clocks have just come back and Spring may be here, although the weather has been rotten. I need to get out running more but lack the motivation in the mornings. I've started doing yoga which helps me with my flexibility at least. THFC sacked Conte yesterday and it looks as if the NEC will ban Corbyn standing as a Labour candidate

Malcolm Gaskill, Between Two Worlds: How The English Became Americans

 A social and cultural history of Britain's American colonies in the 17th Century. Very in-depth and copious use of contemporary records, and very good at tying in events to what was happening back home with the civil way and religious conflicts. Still I struggled to concentrate and slogged through it. Work is very busy and stressful as it is the financial year end, but hey. William has been off on his first residential with the school this week and arrives back this afternoon. He's been excited for ages, but got a little worries leading up to it. Hopefully he will have enjoyed it and it will help make him more independent. At home he still has help getting dressed and eating his tea. He can do both, but without chivvying and cajoling it doesn't get done. He's coming to Cubjam in May so needs to get used to looking after himself!

Sara Penny Packer, Pax

 'A children's book about the relationship between a fox and a young boy who finds and adopts him as a cub. I bought this years ago based on very good reviews, and have tried with all our children to read it to them, but they've never been interested, so finally I read it to myself. It could all be tosh, but it appears to be a wonderful insight into the mind of a fox, how they think and react, and also the strong bond between the boy and Pax. It ends with Peter realising that Pax is now with a new family of foxes where he belongs, very sweet. I'm aching a but writing this as I completed the Surrey Half yesterday and every year it gets tougher. I'm a lot heavier than last year and nowhere near my PB, but it was good to get out running again, I need to get back to running most days now it is a bit lighter in the mornings

Paul Lendvai, The Hungarians: A Thousand Years of Victory In Defeat

 Took a long time to get through that, I need to find more time to read! Nice to get lost in the Habsburgs and mitteleuropa again though. While reading it, I met up with old friends from school who are planning on going to Budapest in the autumn and Vegas in the spring for our 50th birthdays. Vegas sounds like hell on earth for me, and while I'd love to go back to Budapest, I'd be there for the architecture, museums and cakes, which I suspect is not the reason the Townmead Jolly Boys are off on their hols together