In preparation for a presentation I‘m giving next week on journalists‘ books on war, I‘m finally reading Orwell on his experience fighting during the Spanish civil war. Can‘t believe I haven‘t read this until now. Also want to get through more of Martha Gellhorn‘s book - a collection of her war reporting (also includes the Spanish civil war) over several decades. Nothing like reading to a deadline. Plan to reduce my reading list is disintegrating

Because you can never be reading too many books at once and as my local charity bookshop is selling everything half price, I picked up three books yesterday including this. A 2002 edition - not currently listed on Litsy. As a very small child I was addicted to the 1980s BBC television adaptation of the original radio series (which I‘ve never listened to). I‘ve always wanted to read the books. At Q9.25 for the compilation of four, I couldn‘t say no

McGirk successfully strikes a balance in drawing on the extraordinary character of Gala Dali who cooked and ate her pet rabbits, rejected her daughter and, in McGirk‘s words ‘was bad-tempered, obnoxious, coarse & greedy‘, while also illustrating how Dali‘s art would never have materialised without her. A fascinating read about a unique woman and her dysfunctional 50-yr relationship with the prominent serialist. Also worth a read for non Dali fans.

An irresistible gift for a local councillor (Remainer/People‘s Vote) friend who‘s hosting us for Christmas lunch tomorrow. #Brexit #BrexitChristmas #95daystoBrexit

Two more on kindle to add to these 7 books currently on the go. Trying to prioritise. Over half way through Wicked Lady - on life of Salvador Dali‘s partner, Gala. John Reid - lost my place a few months ago. It‘s dense so trying to find a way back in is putting me off. Svetlana Alexievich, as brilliant as it is it does get a little repetitive. Simone de Beauvoir I‘m only 50 pages in having previously abandoned another of hers. Decisions, decisions