Robert Harris, Act of Oblivion

A fictionalised version of real events and people after the restoration of Charles II. Two of the regicides go on the run and spend decades in hiding in New England, enduring horrors and degradations just trying to survive while constantly worried about being exposed and what is happening to their families in the meantime. Very enjoyable if difficult to believe that anyone could endure years hiding in a basement.  My toothache is a little better if not fixed, and my handwriting has now completely deteriorated. I've got a task written down for today that looks lie 'V-apila' . No idea what it is.

Susanna Clarke, The Ladies of Grace Adieu, Jonathan Healey, The Blazing World: A New History of Revolutionary England

A comfort read to start, as I've just finished rewatching the magnificent Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell and wanted more. Not quite enough to reread the massive JS&MN though, but that'll come sooner or later. Susanna Clarke is scheduled to have a new book out in the Autumn too. i managed to read some of this in a chair under the tree in the garden, as it's finally been sunny and warm enough. It's been a very miserable spring. 'The Blazing World' was a history of 17th century England, but mostly wars and politics. It kept me reading, and for once some of it seems to have gone in. I understand a bit more about Laud and Arminianism now anyway.

Alexandra Harris, The Rising Down: Lives in a Sussex Landscape

 Not sure how to categorise this book, but it was wonderfully written. An exploration of a place, the area around Arundel in the Sussex Downs where the author grew up and knows well. She weaves in the experiences of locals, notable and otherwise, archaeology, religion, architecture, geography and more. 'To see the world in a grain of sand' is quoted often. Very enjoyable and pertinent as I am dragging the kids to Arundel Castle tomorrow as it's half-term.

Väinö Linna, Unknown Soldiers

 A Finnish novel based on the experience of a platoon in the Second World War, and superb at capturing the absurdity and tragedy of war. A great work of Finnish literature, but I suspect it loses a lot in translation as a lot of the  dialogue appears to be between Finns of different regions, with varying dialects and cultures. The translator mentions this at the end as a particular difficulty, and it's very interesting that as 'Finn' is a relatively new written language (the first novel published in 1860), Finnish wasn't standardised and actually this great work of Finnish literature is a work in multiple Finnish dialects. Despite my knee being so painful, I managed the 100 miles of the Ride London on Sunday, but am suffering for it now. I may have to go to the doctor to get a referral to physio for it, as I cannot cycle, run or even climb stairs without pain.

Desmond Seward, The King over the Water: A Complete History of the Jacobites

 Rather enjoyed that, a history of the Jacobites by an obvious sympathiser, who admired James III in particular. Sad to see that Desmond Seward passed away in 2019 and this was his last book. I'm really suffering with toothache at the moment - I went to the dentist about it yesterday and they gave me an emergency filling, but it doesn't seem to have fixed the issue. I think they are right in their diagnosis that it is tooth sensitivity where the gum has receded, probably due to over-vigorous brushing, so I'll be more careful brushing and will just have to wait - but in the meantime it is rather painful and painkillers are having no effect, so I'm a grumpy old misery. My knee coped with a 30k cycle yesterday at least.

Isabelle Schuler, Lady MacBethad

 A fictionalised account of the life of Lady MacBeth pre-marrying Macbeth and the events we all know so well. She was a real historical person and although little is known of her, what there is was enough to produce an entertaining read full of intrigue, ambition and a few Shakespearean easter eggs. I liked it, and will add it to Helen's pile. This weekend I'm meant to be doing the London Ride 100, but my left knee went ping last week and I can't rise without discomfort or run at all. I'm off exercise this week to give it a chance to mend.

Stein Ringen: The Story of Scandinavia

 A popular history of Scandinavia by a Scandinavian with lots of inserts about personal experiences of Scandi social democracy. or growing up in the town where the first stone church in Sweden was built., And I'm fine with all that. The narrative is one about how ordinary folk in Scandinavia have been shafted and exploited by the elites that governed their countries incredibly badly until the rise of an educated class in the 19th century that led to industrialisation, an end to feudalism and the growth of the marvel that is social democracy. All very enjoyable. Yesterday me, Helen, William and Freddie headed up to Chalfont to scout out a hike for the cubs at our Summer Camp in July. The fist time back to the Chalfont Heights Scout camp (now known as Paccar) since camping there myself as a Scout. It was very much how I remember it, although I didn't get a chance to look round Hogtrough Woods, which was my favourite bit. HS2 cuts through the hills nearby and has disrupted some of the footpaths, so we needed to walk it. I can't get a good, safe walk under 10k though - hope our Cubs can manage it.