…and absolutely loving Hanya Yanagihara Continue reading Currently listening to…

I don’t have a problem attending events on my own. I go for dinner, to the theatre,  to the cinema, on holidays and of course to the book festival all by myself and just for myself. Sometimes it is lonely, but every … Continue reading Overheard at the Book Festival

In your twenties when you throw a dinner party you make pasta. I once served garlic bread which I  put straight in the oven without removing the cellophane wrapper and nearly poisoned everyone. In your thirties you do something vaguely … Continue reading Dinner Parties Through The Ages

At the old Leith Academy in Edinburgh, which is being converted into apartments, students had to walk round the corridors in one direction. God alone could help you if they caught you walking in the wrong direction.

The ladies adviser made girls stand with their hands out palms up, and if she could see the underneath of any nails, Continue reading “The Honour of Russian Seamen”

Tidying up on my phone I realised I haven’t used the Note function for about 16 months. I have phone numbers for a Lorraine, a Jason and a Norman. Who the hell is Norman? There are the vital statistics of my godson, including his full name, date of birth and a reading list. 16 months ago he was reading HP and the Chamber of Secrets, and his brother was into Continue reading “i, Note”