Books & Reading #106 Not sure who said this first but it sounds perfectly reasonable to me! #bookstagram #readersofinstagram #bookworm

Around my Table #6 Thomas Keller is an American chef, author and restaurant owner #aroundmytable #foodandfriends

I’ve now seen at least three articles with headlines saying different authors “back” the National Year of Reading. This implies the existence of authors who don’t. In this essay, I shall…

Books & Reading #104 This quote comes from the Dominican American author Junot Diaz who won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 2008 #bookstagram #readersofindtagram

This afternoon I made a rare solo visit to the cinema to catch the film Hamnet. Having thought the @maggieofarrellofficial book to be one of the best I had read in years I tried to be open minded about the adaptation but it did not disappoint. @hamnetmovie

After coming across the works of Anne Perry I decided in December to read these novellas ( 1 per day) which she published each year for the last 21 years of her life. Fascinating author and worth reading her Wikipedia entry. #bookstagram #anneperrywriter #christmasmysteries

Around my table #4 Not sure where or when I first heard this one but have always thought of it as a given truth! #aroundmytable

Around my table #4 Julia Child was the American chef and author remembered for introducing French cuisine to the American public. #aroundmytable

Around my table #3 Claiborne was an American food and restaurant critic who for many years wrote for the New York Times. #aroundmytable

Books & Reading #102 A surprising quote for a man who did not write any books himself? #bookstagram #readersofinstagram

Around My Table #1 My new series of quotes for 2026 looking at the joys of food, cooking and eating together. #aroundmytable

Before I hang up the hat tomorrow (twelfth night) I have a couple of post Christmas thoughts to share.

You made it. Well done!

Books & Reading #100 (yes we made it to 100) This meaningful quote from American literary critic, novelist and short story writer Elizabeth Hardwick brings us neatly to the end of the year and this series of bookish quotes but I still have a good few saved so what to do? #bookworm #booklover

If you're struggling, you're not broken but if you are doing okay then be kind to someone near you because they may not be.

We all do it! #Santa knows

Books & Reading #99 This applies whether you are a writer or a speaker and comes from a remarkable wordsmith #bookstagram #readersofinstagram #bookworm #booklover

In the UK we've just passed Winter solstice on this shortest day of the year. From now on the days start to stretch out with more daylight hours to look forward to. Of course for those those marking Advent, today is also the fourth Sunday when that final candle is lit and we welcome in the light.

Books and reading #98 This anonymous quote rings true in so many ways. #bookstagram #readersofinstagram #bookworm #booklover #booknerd #readingislife

Some advanced level post-box dressing spotted in St Albans today!

Happy 250th birthday to English novelist Jane Austen whose six novels painted an iconic social picture life in late 18th century England. #janeausten #austen250

Books & Reading #96 Fast approaching the 100 planned quotes for this year but I have had several messages asking me to continue the theme into 2026. Any thoughts? #bookstagram #readersofinstagram #bookworm #booklover #booknerd #readingislife

20yrs today since the massive explosion which destroyed most of the Buncefield Oil Terminal. We woke up just after 6 on that frosty morning by what felt like an earthquake shaking the house. This was the largest peacetime explosion in the uk and burned for days with a huge impact on the local area.

Books & Reading #95 This quote from the pen of American author Julia Walter from here "Words on Bathroom Walls" Just realised that we've reached 95 of these quotes this year with just 5 more in the planned series. Time to start thinking about next year I guess. #bookworm #booklover #readingislife

The Christmas bears are here! With thanks to my talented friend Andrew at Moodybear.com

Books & Reading #94 This quote comes from the novel, The House of Paper, by the Argentinian writer Carlos Maria Dominguez. #bookworm #booklover #booknerd #readingislife

Books & Reading #93 A great quote from than wonderful British novelist P.G. Wodehouse #bookstagram #bookworm #readingislife #booklover #booknerd

Today (Friday) marks 43 years that this beautiful, funny man has shared my life. Love is a superpower!

Books & Reading #92 The great British novelist W. Somerset Maugham wrote this in his 1940 work Books and You, a collection of essays which he subtitled "A Dissertation Upon Reading" #bookworm #booklover #booknerd #readingislife

Sad that La Voix has had to withdraw from Strictly Come Dancing but she left her mark on the show and she left it in style. She is a true performer who happens to be a charming person too. #lavoix #strictly @lavoixtheshow

I have just watched the final episode of historian David Olusoga's epic BBC series Empire. In these politically and culturally turbulent times it should be essential viewing especially in all secondary schools. I was really impressed by the balance and breadth of the story #empirewithdavidolusoga

Books & Reading #90 This quote comes from the 1987 book Norwegian Wood written by acclaimed Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami. #bookstagram #booknerd #booklover #bookworm #readingi

Well that was an unexpected visitation for the white stuff here!

In the beautiful setting of St. Martin-in-Fields, London we are listening to Dame Mary Beard delivering her lecture in the series 'Here I Stand' and reminding us of the awe and wonder of Ancient History imaginatively delivered. #marybeard #stmartininthefields

Books & Reading #89 This quote comes from the book, Horseradish by the American author Lemony Snicket. The book is packed full of wise quotes and phrases mostly drawn from the series, A Series of Unfortunate Events. #bookworm #booknerd #booklover #readingislife

Best reason ever! This simple quote from American novelist Toni Morrison #bookworm #booknerd #booklover #readingislife

Photo dump from our last day in beautiful Barcelona: 1. L'Arc de Triomf 2. Barceloneta beach 3. Torre Glòries 4. Hospital de la Santa Creu I di Sant Pau

Books & Reading #87 A simple truth from author Matt Haig. I say rise up and read - read and rise up! #booknerd #booklover #bookworm #readingislife

Books & Reading #86 A deep meaning quote from the wonderful African-American novelist and activist Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche. #bookworm #booknerd #booklover #readingislife

Day 5 of our cruise brings us to the beautiful port city of Valletta, Malta with all its golden stonework basking in the sunshine. #valletta #vallettamalta☀️⛵️⚓️ #mscworldeuropa

It's November in Sicily where the sky is the deepest blue and the flowers are still showing us every other glorious colour. #sicily #messina #hibiscus🌺

Books & Reading #85 From the consummate writer Alan Bennett. Such truth. #bookstagram #booknerd #bookworm #booklover #readingislife

Arrived in the Italian port of Genoa but sadly the weather is not our friend today. #mscworldeuropa #italy🇮🇹 #genoa

All too brief visit to Marseille today and the wonderful Cathedrale de la Major near the port. #marseille #cathedraldelamajor

Books & Reading #84Wise words from English novelist E.M. Forster. #booknerd #booklover #readingislife #bookworm

Whilst we saw lots of activity when we visited Sagrada Familia yesterday we were unaware of the historical significance of the day. The crowning glory of the Basilica is the central tower of 'Jesus Christ' which will be topped by a 17m tall cross.

Anyone else guilty of always going for the shiny new book on the top of the pile? #bookworm #booknerd #booklover #readingislife

Books & Reading #82 A great quote from that master of the horror novel, Stephen King #bookworm #booknerd #booklover #readingislife

Wonderful evening at the Wigmore Hall in central London to hear my dear friend of over 50 years, concert pianist Leslie Howard delivering music by Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Liszt.