Groom of the Stool: Robert Shepherd, ‘Westminster: A Biography’

Robert Shepherd’s ‘Westminster: a Biography’ covers the whole lifespan of the marshy island which became the centre of power and government in Britain. For me, Westminster has become a workplace and I often forget the history behind the buildings which have shaped the form of government operating in Britain. As a result of this book, … More Groom of the Stool: Robert Shepherd, ‘Westminster: A Biography’

Rain and reading: Graham Greene, ‘The End of the Affair’

It’s bucketing it down outside and this heat wave makes the heavy rain feel (with a little exaggeration) more like a tropical monsoon than a summer Sunday shower. Sometimes the weather is just right for a book and this was just right for ‘The End of the Affair’ by Graham Greene. I’ve never read it … More Rain and reading: Graham Greene, ‘The End of the Affair’

Spangles Disease

I like this from ‘One Day’ by David Nicholls on the nonsense men of my generation talk in pubs, ‘Spangles Disease.’ It sums up nicely many conversations I’ve had over the years. … the girls sitting and grinning while the boys did tricks with matchsticks and jammed on Children’s TV or Forgotten Confectionery of the … More Spangles Disease