Stuart Murdoch, Nobody's Empire

 A signed copy bought in Totnes! I've been reluctant to fork out for it before as much as I love Belle & Sebastian, I wasn't sure it would be a great novel. It wasn't a surprising story really, very autobiographical, so full of fey indie behaviour, lots about ME and trying and failing  to get off with manic pixie dream girls. Worth reading though for all the music tips. Pleasantly surprised that 20 year old Stuart Murdoch was such a big dan of The Sundays, much as 20 year old David Sawyer was, but also other bands like Galaxie 500, Big Stat and the Pastels, all of which I've heard of but never really listened to - hopefully I can discover some new music in my old age, even if it is just more jangly guitar of the type I've spend most of my life listening to

Neil Price, The Children of Ash & Elm: A History of the Vikings

 Absolutely exhaustive, and covering much more than the normal histories of the Vikings. The first part of the book  concentrated on Viking beliefs, their world view, their social organisation, ceremonies, folklore  and so on. Only in the later parts did it look at their expansion, piracy, trading and influence across Europe and beyond. Took me a long time to read though, will have to pick something light next. I'm going to gloss over the election of Trump as president for a second time that was announced earlier today, and instead talk about Grogu. tomorrow is the first day when I will be at home alone with him, so I'm a bit concerned about how it will go - will he be ok? Will he disturb me at work? I'm not sure how to manage it yet, but i think I'll try working downstairs so we can be company for each other.

Nora Ephron, Heartburn

 Read in Brixham while on holiday, and I think it's Nora Ephron's only novel. It's not what I was expecting, as mistakenly I thought it would be a rom-com like When Harry Met Sally, but while it is very funny, it's semi-autobiographical and tells the tale of the end of a marriage, with all the bitterness, jealousy, heartache and therapy that involves. 

John Lewis-Stemple, England: A Natural History

 Enjoyed his book on France, so read this about England - again lots of hype and good reviews, and very readable, with a mixture of personal experience, research, scene-setting and anecdotes. Each chapter covered a different geographical feature - coast, river, heath, etc. Lewis-Stemple is of the view that hunting and shooting are positive things and necessary to maintain the countryside environment, but I just cannot buy that. However it is dressed up, the environment is adapted to suit humanity, and to argue that (for example) grouse shooting is good for birds of prey and biodiversity when it patently isn't is perverse. I get that if grouse aren't being shot there is no incentive for the landowner to maintain moorlands and it could return to woodland in a few generations otherwise, but I'm not sure that is a bad thing, and if moorland is so important it's perfectly possible to maintain it in the greater interest without intensively breeding grouse and then shooting them. Finished this book on holiday in Brixham. Helen had to stay at home and look after the dog, so there was a fair bit of homesickness and grumpiness at being made to walk from the kids, but it was good to get away and it was a lovely spot. It gave Fred some practice for his practice hike this weekend for the Southern 50 competition to. He ended up giving William a piggy-back home from Greenway as poor W was so tired. Well done Fred.

Susanna Clarke, The Wood at Midwinter

 A very short story written as a Christmas tale for the radio in 2022. I'd read anything by Susanna Clarke, and we are going to see her at the South Bank on Saturday so wanted to get it read before then. I needed to savour it a bit more, I can see that it would be wonderful fireside reading in the deep midwinter. Maybe I'll come back to it on Christmas Eve once I've had my fill of The Dark is Rising

Alan Moore, The Great When

 Set in an alternative London accessible only to some, but existing alongside our own London. A very well trodden path, with Neverwhere, Rivers of London etc. Moore knows all these and far more and as always is wonderful at building a world inspired by others, like the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen or Watchmen. Took a while to get into it, but really enjoyed it once I did. Not sure I can yet face his whacking great 'Jerusalem' novel which has been sat in the garage for a few years now, but more of this would be welcome. Grogu is settling in well, with Libby taking the lead as chief puppy looker afterer

Steve Mann, Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy

 Nice to read a useful, practical book rather than one full of esoteric information! Grogu arrived yesterday so it is good to have some idea of what we are letting ourselves in for and what we should do, but less than 24 hours in and I think we've got a lot wrong already. Pup is sleeping on Libby rather than in his den, treats aren't being associated with good behaviour, pup is jumping up at people. . . but he's still a puppy and we will get things wrong. the main thing is to be warm, friendly and let him know he'll be comfortable, looked after and loved. Libby has a two week half term so can keep an eye on him, although we were planning to go to Brixham next week and have an AirBnB booked - not sure who will go now - maybe just me and Fred. Grogu isn't allowed out just yet, it'll be another week at least depending on what the vet says.