#LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day 5.
The writer and broadcaster Arthur Marshall reminiscing about military unsuitability.
The writer and broadcaster Arthur Marshall reminiscing about military unsuitability.
December 15, 2025 at 1:35 PM
#LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day 5.
The writer and broadcaster Arthur Marshall reminiscing about military unsuitability.
The writer and broadcaster Arthur Marshall reminiscing about military unsuitability.
#LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day 18. Alan Bennett on Thora Hird (are there five more evocative words in the English language?)
December 18, 2025 at 8:50 AM
#LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day 18. Alan Bennett on Thora Hird (are there five more evocative words in the English language?)
#LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day 3.
The Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage, exquisitely describing the manifold humiliations of reading poetry in public:
The Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage, exquisitely describing the manifold humiliations of reading poetry in public:
December 15, 2025 at 1:35 PM
#LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day 3.
The Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage, exquisitely describing the manifold humiliations of reading poetry in public:
The Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage, exquisitely describing the manifold humiliations of reading poetry in public:
#LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day 2.
The hugely-missed Susie Steiner demonstrating that a cracking police procedural can also have brilliantly-funny glimpses of domestic life:
The hugely-missed Susie Steiner demonstrating that a cracking police procedural can also have brilliantly-funny glimpses of domestic life:
December 15, 2025 at 1:35 PM
#LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day 2.
The hugely-missed Susie Steiner demonstrating that a cracking police procedural can also have brilliantly-funny glimpses of domestic life:
The hugely-missed Susie Steiner demonstrating that a cracking police procedural can also have brilliantly-funny glimpses of domestic life:
#LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day 15
Bill Bryson recalling family holidays in the 1960s - largely spent driving out of Iowa.
Bill Bryson recalling family holidays in the 1960s - largely spent driving out of Iowa.
December 15, 2025 at 1:35 PM
#LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day 15
Bill Bryson recalling family holidays in the 1960s - largely spent driving out of Iowa.
Bill Bryson recalling family holidays in the 1960s - largely spent driving out of Iowa.
#LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day 21.
Nick Hornby on the weirdly anachronistic cinema 'club' of his youth.
Nick Hornby on the weirdly anachronistic cinema 'club' of his youth.
December 21, 2025 at 9:10 AM
#LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day 21.
Nick Hornby on the weirdly anachronistic cinema 'club' of his youth.
Nick Hornby on the weirdly anachronistic cinema 'club' of his youth.
#LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day 8.
Clive James reviewing the BBC mega-flop, The Borgias, in which the Pope, played by a genuine Italian, was notoriously unintelligible...
Clive James reviewing the BBC mega-flop, The Borgias, in which the Pope, played by a genuine Italian, was notoriously unintelligible...
December 15, 2025 at 1:35 PM
#LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day 8.
Clive James reviewing the BBC mega-flop, The Borgias, in which the Pope, played by a genuine Italian, was notoriously unintelligible...
Clive James reviewing the BBC mega-flop, The Borgias, in which the Pope, played by a genuine Italian, was notoriously unintelligible...
#LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day 7.
Viciously funny writing from Harriet Lane, in 'Other People's Fun'. The protagonist is glumly scrolling through the lives of ex-schoolfriends on Instagram...
Viciously funny writing from Harriet Lane, in 'Other People's Fun'. The protagonist is glumly scrolling through the lives of ex-schoolfriends on Instagram...
December 15, 2025 at 1:35 PM
#LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day 7.
Viciously funny writing from Harriet Lane, in 'Other People's Fun'. The protagonist is glumly scrolling through the lives of ex-schoolfriends on Instagram...
Viciously funny writing from Harriet Lane, in 'Other People's Fun'. The protagonist is glumly scrolling through the lives of ex-schoolfriends on Instagram...
#LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day 14
Peter Ustinov, playing Nero in the film Quo Vadis, gets some exquisitely subtle character notes from director Mervyn LeRoy.
Peter Ustinov, playing Nero in the film Quo Vadis, gets some exquisitely subtle character notes from director Mervyn LeRoy.
December 15, 2025 at 1:35 PM
#LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day 14
Peter Ustinov, playing Nero in the film Quo Vadis, gets some exquisitely subtle character notes from director Mervyn LeRoy.
Peter Ustinov, playing Nero in the film Quo Vadis, gets some exquisitely subtle character notes from director Mervyn LeRoy.
Well, I seem to be back on Blue Sky, so straight into a catch up of my #LIteraryAdventCalendar2025.
Day 1, and it's one of my all-time favourites: journalist Lynn Barber attempts to interview Margaret, Duchess of Argyll, (ultra posh, with a scandalous past) about her book on dinner parties.
Day 1, and it's one of my all-time favourites: journalist Lynn Barber attempts to interview Margaret, Duchess of Argyll, (ultra posh, with a scandalous past) about her book on dinner parties.
December 15, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Well, I seem to be back on Blue Sky, so straight into a catch up of my #LIteraryAdventCalendar2025.
Day 1, and it's one of my all-time favourites: journalist Lynn Barber attempts to interview Margaret, Duchess of Argyll, (ultra posh, with a scandalous past) about her book on dinner parties.
Day 1, and it's one of my all-time favourites: journalist Lynn Barber attempts to interview Margaret, Duchess of Argyll, (ultra posh, with a scandalous past) about her book on dinner parties.
#LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day 20.
Sea surgeon Stephen Maturin, in one of Patrick O'Brian's novels, is forced to sample the American version of breakfast tea.
Sea surgeon Stephen Maturin, in one of Patrick O'Brian's novels, is forced to sample the American version of breakfast tea.
December 20, 2025 at 10:23 AM
#LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day 20.
Sea surgeon Stephen Maturin, in one of Patrick O'Brian's novels, is forced to sample the American version of breakfast tea.
Sea surgeon Stephen Maturin, in one of Patrick O'Brian's novels, is forced to sample the American version of breakfast tea.
#LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day 12.
Three snippets of Wodehouse. This is how to write a funny line - not a word wasted, nor a comma misplaced, the punchlines both perfect and unpredictable.
Three snippets of Wodehouse. This is how to write a funny line - not a word wasted, nor a comma misplaced, the punchlines both perfect and unpredictable.
December 15, 2025 at 1:35 PM
#LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day 12.
Three snippets of Wodehouse. This is how to write a funny line - not a word wasted, nor a comma misplaced, the punchlines both perfect and unpredictable.
Three snippets of Wodehouse. This is how to write a funny line - not a word wasted, nor a comma misplaced, the punchlines both perfect and unpredictable.
#LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day 22.
From Saki's marvellous 'The Storyteller', in which a bachelor is forced to sit in a railway carriage with three small children and their aunt.
From Saki's marvellous 'The Storyteller', in which a bachelor is forced to sit in a railway carriage with three small children and their aunt.
December 22, 2025 at 9:28 AM
#LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day 22.
From Saki's marvellous 'The Storyteller', in which a bachelor is forced to sit in a railway carriage with three small children and their aunt.
From Saki's marvellous 'The Storyteller', in which a bachelor is forced to sit in a railway carriage with three small children and their aunt.
#LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day 19. From the fabulously-funny Standard Deviation, by Katherine Heiny - here's the magnificent Audra, viewed through the wondering eyes of her spouse.
December 19, 2025 at 9:28 AM
#LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day 19. From the fabulously-funny Standard Deviation, by Katherine Heiny - here's the magnificent Audra, viewed through the wondering eyes of her spouse.
#LIteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day 6.
The greatest deadpan comic in all literature reacts to Piglet's suggestion as to how to rescue two friends from a tree. Eeyore was my gateway drug to a lifelong love of comedy.
The greatest deadpan comic in all literature reacts to Piglet's suggestion as to how to rescue two friends from a tree. Eeyore was my gateway drug to a lifelong love of comedy.
December 15, 2025 at 1:35 PM
#LIteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day 6.
The greatest deadpan comic in all literature reacts to Piglet's suggestion as to how to rescue two friends from a tree. Eeyore was my gateway drug to a lifelong love of comedy.
The greatest deadpan comic in all literature reacts to Piglet's suggestion as to how to rescue two friends from a tree. Eeyore was my gateway drug to a lifelong love of comedy.
#LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day 16.
A diary entry by the actor, Anthony Sher, recording his difficulties in getting enough to eat while staying at a health farm.
A diary entry by the actor, Anthony Sher, recording his difficulties in getting enough to eat while staying at a health farm.
December 16, 2025 at 8:44 AM
#LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day 16.
A diary entry by the actor, Anthony Sher, recording his difficulties in getting enough to eat while staying at a health farm.
A diary entry by the actor, Anthony Sher, recording his difficulties in getting enough to eat while staying at a health farm.
#LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day 10.
Betty McDonald reminiscing about her childhood, in 'The Egg and I'. I practically know this paragraph off my heart. It's a novel in miniature, and gallops towards a brilliant double punchline.
Betty McDonald reminiscing about her childhood, in 'The Egg and I'. I practically know this paragraph off my heart. It's a novel in miniature, and gallops towards a brilliant double punchline.
December 15, 2025 at 1:35 PM
#LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day 10.
Betty McDonald reminiscing about her childhood, in 'The Egg and I'. I practically know this paragraph off my heart. It's a novel in miniature, and gallops towards a brilliant double punchline.
Betty McDonald reminiscing about her childhood, in 'The Egg and I'. I practically know this paragraph off my heart. It's a novel in miniature, and gallops towards a brilliant double punchline.
#LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day 9.
From a highly entertaining history of children's literature, by John Rowe Townsend, here's an analysis of 'Elsie Dinsmore', the painfully virtuous and perpetually weeping heroine of a stream of now-forgotten bestsellers.
From a highly entertaining history of children's literature, by John Rowe Townsend, here's an analysis of 'Elsie Dinsmore', the painfully virtuous and perpetually weeping heroine of a stream of now-forgotten bestsellers.
December 15, 2025 at 1:35 PM
#LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day 9.
From a highly entertaining history of children's literature, by John Rowe Townsend, here's an analysis of 'Elsie Dinsmore', the painfully virtuous and perpetually weeping heroine of a stream of now-forgotten bestsellers.
From a highly entertaining history of children's literature, by John Rowe Townsend, here's an analysis of 'Elsie Dinsmore', the painfully virtuous and perpetually weeping heroine of a stream of now-forgotten bestsellers.
#LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day 4.
The intro to the acerbically funny 'Confessions of a Failed Southern Lady' by Florence King. It starts with a flowery tribute to Southern femininity, given to the women in her family as an aspirational guide. The final sentence is incomparable.
The intro to the acerbically funny 'Confessions of a Failed Southern Lady' by Florence King. It starts with a flowery tribute to Southern femininity, given to the women in her family as an aspirational guide. The final sentence is incomparable.
December 15, 2025 at 1:35 PM
#LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day 4.
The intro to the acerbically funny 'Confessions of a Failed Southern Lady' by Florence King. It starts with a flowery tribute to Southern femininity, given to the women in her family as an aspirational guide. The final sentence is incomparable.
The intro to the acerbically funny 'Confessions of a Failed Southern Lady' by Florence King. It starts with a flowery tribute to Southern femininity, given to the women in her family as an aspirational guide. The final sentence is incomparable.
#LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day13
One from my own archive (and, incidentally, the first thing I ever had published): a New Statesman competition in which the brief was to write a love letter from one fictional character to another. Molesworth woos Madame Bovary.
One from my own archive (and, incidentally, the first thing I ever had published): a New Statesman competition in which the brief was to write a love letter from one fictional character to another. Molesworth woos Madame Bovary.
December 15, 2025 at 1:35 PM
#LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day13
One from my own archive (and, incidentally, the first thing I ever had published): a New Statesman competition in which the brief was to write a love letter from one fictional character to another. Molesworth woos Madame Bovary.
One from my own archive (and, incidentally, the first thing I ever had published): a New Statesman competition in which the brief was to write a love letter from one fictional character to another. Molesworth woos Madame Bovary.
#LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day 23.
Basil Fawlty forced to discuss the menu with a junior hotel guest (Ronald) who is as rude as he is. As exquisitely funny to read as it was to watch.
Basil Fawlty forced to discuss the menu with a junior hotel guest (Ronald) who is as rude as he is. As exquisitely funny to read as it was to watch.
December 23, 2025 at 9:11 AM
#LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day 23.
Basil Fawlty forced to discuss the menu with a junior hotel guest (Ronald) who is as rude as he is. As exquisitely funny to read as it was to watch.
Basil Fawlty forced to discuss the menu with a junior hotel guest (Ronald) who is as rude as he is. As exquisitely funny to read as it was to watch.
#LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day 24.
And we end with an extract from the Kenneth Williams diaries in which, (for once), KW has a jolly Christmas Day in the company of comedy legends Joan Sims and Hattie Jacques.
Good wishes to everybody and may we all know such laughter....xx
And we end with an extract from the Kenneth Williams diaries in which, (for once), KW has a jolly Christmas Day in the company of comedy legends Joan Sims and Hattie Jacques.
Good wishes to everybody and may we all know such laughter....xx
December 24, 2025 at 9:36 AM
#LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day 24.
And we end with an extract from the Kenneth Williams diaries in which, (for once), KW has a jolly Christmas Day in the company of comedy legends Joan Sims and Hattie Jacques.
Good wishes to everybody and may we all know such laughter....xx
And we end with an extract from the Kenneth Williams diaries in which, (for once), KW has a jolly Christmas Day in the company of comedy legends Joan Sims and Hattie Jacques.
Good wishes to everybody and may we all know such laughter....xx
Tomorrow is the last day of the #LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 and I'm taking suggestions for the final extract.
Well, I seem to be back on Blue Sky, so straight into a catch up of my #LIteraryAdventCalendar2025.
Day 1, and it's one of my all-time favourites: journalist Lynn Barber attempts to interview Margaret, Duchess of Argyll, (ultra posh, with a scandalous past) about her book on dinner parties.
Day 1, and it's one of my all-time favourites: journalist Lynn Barber attempts to interview Margaret, Duchess of Argyll, (ultra posh, with a scandalous past) about her book on dinner parties.
December 23, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Tomorrow is the last day of the #LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 and I'm taking suggestions for the final extract.
#LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day 17.
From The Art of Coarse Sailing by Michael Green:- a scene in which old friends swap unlikely stories about military service. For younger readers, I must point out that this is a very accurate portrayal of what adult conversations were often like in the 60s.
From The Art of Coarse Sailing by Michael Green:- a scene in which old friends swap unlikely stories about military service. For younger readers, I must point out that this is a very accurate portrayal of what adult conversations were often like in the 60s.
December 17, 2025 at 7:47 AM
#LiteraryAdventCalendar2025 Day 17.
From The Art of Coarse Sailing by Michael Green:- a scene in which old friends swap unlikely stories about military service. For younger readers, I must point out that this is a very accurate portrayal of what adult conversations were often like in the 60s.
From The Art of Coarse Sailing by Michael Green:- a scene in which old friends swap unlikely stories about military service. For younger readers, I must point out that this is a very accurate portrayal of what adult conversations were often like in the 60s.