[Playing to the Gallery](http://www.amazon.co.uk/Playing-Gallery-Simon-Hoggart/dp/1903809665/) by Simon Hoggart. Just as Bliar makes his exit, I’m reading up Parliamentary sketches dating from his early years as PM. Not to make any sort of political statement, but just to remind myself how things have changed. Also, it was just the next book on the to-read shelf.

Also, just finished John Peel’s (auto)biography, Margrave of the Marshes. A delightful read and really very emotional. Peel comes across as a very fragile person, but just as hugely likable as you’d have expected him to be from listening to his shows. Similarly, his wife Sheila, who finished the book on his behalf after his death, emerges as the perfect person for him. They were incredibly happy with one another, a fact that makes Peel’s death even more tragic.