Books 8 to 11 in the Clara Fitzgerald series by Evelyn James Books 8 to 11 of the Clara Fitzgerald series by Evelyn James - brain down time reading - good to while away a couple of hours.

Italy in a Wine Glass: The Taste of History by Marc Millon Italy in a Wine Glass by Marc Millon - a book about Italian history, Italian wine and wine recommendations, what's not to love?

AVOCADO Foundation Innovation Hub: Volunteering & Organisational Development for #nonprofits from black, Asian, multi-ethnic or refugee backgrounds. Make skills-based #volunteering work for you. 12 Dec, 4–6:30pm. Online or Islington. Online: buff.ly/Pb1MNFs In person: buff.ly/OFkxMvn

The Poisonous Seed & The Daughters of Gentlemen by Linda Stratmann The Poisonous Seed & The Daughters of Gentlemen by Linda Stratmann - the first 2 books in a series that I think I'm going to enjoy.

Death Comes to Pemberley by PD James Death Comes to Pemberley by PD James - I enjoyed this but didn't relate the characters to those I know from Pride and Prejudice

An Untimely Death and An Unfortunate Demise by Blythe Baker An Untimely Death & An Unfortunate Demise by Blythe Baker - not a series I will be continuing with.

The Ladies Road Guide to Utter Ruin by Alison Goodman The Ladies Road Guide to Utter Ruin by Alison Goodman - an enjoyable read but lacks depths of characterisation.

A Gentleman in Possession of Secrets by Grace Burrows A Gentleman in Possession of a Secret by Grace Burrows - an irritating book in a series I'm strangely compelled to read

Books 2 to7 of the Clara Fitzgerald Series by Evelyn James Clara Fitzgerald Series by Evelyn James - likeable characters, preposterous plots - ideal tired-brain holiday reading.

Deadly Village by Kate Parker Deadly Village by Kate Parker - a cosy crime novel set in Oxforshire during WWII. The 13th book in the series.

Small Island by Andrea Levy Small Island by Andrea Levy - an uncomfortable read that made me think. More people should read it.

The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music by Dave Grohl The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music by Dave Grohl - I enjoyed this book but not enough to rave about it.

Mary I: Queen of Sorrows by Alison Weir Mary I: Queen of Sorrows by Alison Weir - I learned more about Mary I but found this a boring book about a boring woman. Disappointing

How to Read a Killer’s Mind by Tam Barnett How to Read a Killer's Mind by Tam Barnett - not my cup of tea

Help charities thrive with the skills you already have! #Trustee boards need diverse expertise, and your experience could make a real impact. Take a look at our graphic for a selection of roles or explore the 700+ UK trustee roles on Reach 👉 buff.ly/Y4CU6Wn #Volunteering #Leadership #MakeADifference

The Women of Arlington Hall by Jane Healey The Women of Arlington Hall by Jane Healey - an interesting novel about post-WWII codebreaking in USA

Death in the Arctic by Tom Hindle Death in the Arctic by Tom Hindle - a book I thoroughly enjoyed.

A Case of Life and Limb by Sally Smith A Case of Life and Limb by Sally Smith - the second book featuring Gabriel Ward investigating wrong-doing within Inner Temple. An enjoyable read.

Napoleon: The man behind the myth by Adam Zamoyski Napoleon: The man behind the myth by Adam Zamoyski - a good, rounded biography of Napoleon

Fat Ham by James Ijames, directed by Sideeq Heard for RSC Fat Ham by James Ijames, directed by Sideeq Heard for RSC - a fun play, loosely based on Hamlet with a lot more laughs

The Queen’s Man by Sharon Penman The Queen's Man by Sharon Penman - a fun, interesting murder mystery.

Have you got finance skills? Thousands of UK charities need #Treasurers & Finance #Trustees! We have 730 trustee roles live on the Reach platform. Check out our video to see a selected few and explore how you can make an impact here 👉 buff.ly/hFX92Ih #Volunteering #Finance #Governance

A Man For All Seasons by Robert Bolt, directed by Jonathan Church A Man For All Seasons by Robert Bolt, directed by Jonathan Church - a play I last saw 40 years ago and still an enjoyable evening at the theatre.

A Cold Wind from Moscow by Rory Clements A Cold Wind from Moscow by Rory Clements - book 8 in the Tm Wilde series. Britain in 1947 is in the grip of a harsh cold spell, a man has been murdered in Tom's Set and he is being drawn back into the spy world.

4.48 Psychosis by Sarah Kane, directed by James Macdonald for Royal Court Theatre and RSC 4.48 Psychosis by Sarah Kane - an interesting play, I'm not yet sure what I think of it...but I certainly wouldn't travel from Sweden to see it.

Moscow X by David McClosky Moscow X by David McClosky - a game of cat and mouse, CIA vs FSB set between Mexico and Russia.

A Gentleman of Questionable Judgement by Grace Burrows A Gentleman of Questionable Judgement by Grace Burrows - a series that is starting to become a bit boring.

A Case of Mice and Murder – Sally Smith A Case of Mice and Murder by Sally Smith - an unexpectedly enjoyable book, bought on a whim.

Last week 125 new #volunteer and #trustee opportunities were added to our platform. Could one of them be the ideal role for you? Visit our platform to check if one of them is the ideal fit for your #skills and interests: buff.ly/2LBxyky

Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren - refamiliarising myself with a childhood favourite: fun but I've outgrown it!

Hamlet Hail to the Thief directed by Christine Jones and Steven Hoggett for RSC and Factory International Hamlet Hail to the Thief for RSC and Factory International - a brilliant production and I wanted to immediately go back in and see it all again.

Black Diamonds by Catherine Bailey Black Diamonds by Catherine Bailey - a book about Earls, coal mining and an extraordinary house.

Reform UK is proposing a "Britannia card" that would let wealthy foreigners pay a £250k fee to move to the UK, and live here exempt from all tax on their foreign assets What they don't say: it would cost the UK £34bn Report here, and thread below: buff.ly/gpe2Dpf

An Impossible Marriage by Pamela Hansford Johnson An Impossible Marriage by Pamela Hansford Johnson - an 18 year old falls in love with an older man and finds herself married to him, knowing she doesn't love him.

The Secret of the Brighton House by Cathy Hayward The Secret of the Brighton House by Cathy Hayward - a tale of two pregnant women - Grace in 1975 and her daughter in the 21st century

💫 What’s it like to volunteer your skills?💫 In #VolunteersWeek, we’re celebrating by sharing insights from some amazing #volunteers. Check out what Yara, Rob, and Merve have to say in our graphic. Feeling inspired? Explore opportunities to volunteer on the Reach platform: 👉 buff.ly/2LBxyky

Murder at the Spring Ball by Benedict Brown Murder at the Spring Ball by Benedict Brown - I liked the narrator but not enough to read any more books in this series.

Our recent survey into what motivates people to #volunteer their #skills has shown that people want to make a difference and that despite the state of the world at the moment, they believe they can do this through # volunteering. Find opportunities to volunteer at : buff.ly/2LBxyky #VolunteersWeek

Grave Talk by Nick Spalding Grave Talk by Nick Spalding - a book about dealing with grief and unlikely friendships.

💡 The Charity Governance Awards – shining a spotlight on outstanding governance 💡 In the run up to the #CharityGov25 ceremony on 3 June, we’re highlighting the achievements of the shortlisted charities. Today it's the Improving Impact category. See our graphic and: buff.ly/gWZFH6H

The Red Prince: John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster by Helen Carr The Red Prince: John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster by Helen Carr - an easy read, overview history of a central and controversial fingure in English history.

Feedback from a Conference Feedback from a Conference - hotel wifi, giving feedback and lots of lovely people.

🌟 During May, Cranfield Trust is running #CharityManagementMonth highlighting guidance, templates, resources & training for charity managers & leaders to help build management resilience in small to medium-sized charities. Check out the Blueprints for Charity Managers and Leaders: buff.ly/0e1UKy0

Rebel Ideas by Matthew Syed Rebel Ideas by Matthew Syed - a book about why diversity of thought is so important, in life and in business (despite what Donald Trump thinks)

From grump to growth Trying to go to a conference in a better frame of mind than my usual grump!

Giant by Mark Rosenblatt, directed by Nicholas Hytner Giant - a play that pulls no punches!

No Precious Truth by Chris Nickson No Precious Truth by Chris Nickson - the first book in a new series, set in Leeds in 1941. The central character is Police Sergeant Cathy Marsden

Vintage Wisdom: How a 103-Year-Old Calthorpe Teaches Modern Leadership Lessons What do Rebel Ideas by Matthew Syed, a vintage car and leadership have in common? More than you think...

Thursday’s Children by Rumer Godden Thursday's Children by Rumer Godden - a book about ballet dancing and a brother and sister.

Titus Andronicus by William Shakespeare, directed by Max Webster for RSC Titus Andronicus directed by Max Webster for RSC - a good version of a play I don't like