Marketing and Publicity Executive Vicky Jessop discusses what she’s been reading over the past few weeks…
This Easter, I’ve been taking the time to dive into some classics that I’ve sorely neglected in the run-up to quarantine!
Though it’s not political, I recently re-read (and thoroughly enjoyed) Anya Setton’s book Katherine, which is an exploration of the life of Katherine Swynford, the mistress of John of Gaunt. It was published all the way back in 1954, but the book still feels contemporary (very Philippa Gregory!) and quickly had me hooked. For anybody who has an interest in historical fiction, I’d definitely recommend picking it up; the descriptions are vivid, the plot exciting and Katherine herself a thankfully sympathetic heroine. For anybody looking for something a bit more fantastical, I've also started reading Ed McDonald's Crowfall: think blood, gore and some seriously twisted magic.
Fear not, though. I’ve also had the chance to start working my way through the Biteback back catalogue, and a few weeks ago I finally read Sebastian Whale’s excellent new biography of the erstwhile Speaker, John Bercow: Call to Order. It’s easy to believe that Bercow is the most divisive Speaker in a generation, judging by some of the stuff that he’s done, including hiring a £1000 helicopter to spirit him to his MP selection meeting and asking his friend to place bets on his attaining the Speakership, in order to get his name on the ballot…
Apart from that, the lockdown has also given me time to pursue some less book-related hobbies, not least gardening and sunbathing. Fortunately, the Easter break is four days long, so I should be able to get plenty in.
Happy Easter everybody and may your reading be fruitful!