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We had an enjoyable discussion for this month's book 'We, the Survivors' by Tash Aw on Monday. It was a perfect example of a novel receiving a mixed reception and giving us much to debate.

Even if people felt this wasn't their sort of book, they still appreciated elements of the writing or the subject matter and could contribute positively to the discussion. Those who responded enthusiastically to the book could similarly acknowledge elements where the author's intent wasn't clear or could have been addressed differently. We all listened attentively to each other's comments and came away with something new to ponder and consider. It was a stimulating and uplifting discussion!

Being able to debate passionately while still respectfully considering the opposing point of view is an art that sometimes appears lost in today's world, so I was interested to listen in to a series that has been running on BBC Radio Four, called 'Across the Red Line'. Conflict resolution experts are invited to share insight and techniques as two speakers from opposing sides of an issue present their arguments. It's fascinating and encouraging to hear how a potentially combative confrontation can become collaborative and conciliatory.

Something in the literary calendar which tends to generate strong opinion is the Booker Prize and this year's longlist has just been announced. However this time it's met a favourable response. The director of the prize has acknowledged that the list is "notable for the engrossing stories within it...and its recognition of writers who have been working at an exceptionally high standard for many years." Perhaps we'll get together as a group to discuss the shortlist when it's announced in September - let me know if you'd like to take part.

Thank you for reading.

I've always been rather in awe of people who set themselves a five year plan for their career or life goals, and I'm not sure I'd ever have the discipline and singleminded dedication of sportspeople whose focus is solely for their next competition.

Indeed, as the 2020 Olympics are now underway, a year late, I feel for the athletes who have spent five years anticipating this moment, only to be told that due to covid results, they can no longer take part.

One of the consequences of the pandemic is that we can no longer plan ahead with confidence. It's good to have hopes and dreams but it's evident we need to hold many things much more lightly than perhaps we used to.

Closer to home, though, and with less at stake, we're planning for when we might meet together again to talk about books...!

This afternoon there is an opportunity to join me in meeting the novelist Esther Freud at The Cut in Halesworth when she'll be talking about her latest book 'I Couldn't Love You More'.

You can come along to the auditorium - seating is in bubbles and the usual precautions are being taken - or you can watch our conversation live-streamed on your computer at home.

What could be nicer on a rainy afternoon, than listening to a fascinating author talk about an intriguing and compelling work? Read about Esther here, and scroll down for details about this afternoon's event.

And tomorrow evening I'll be running another Zoom discussion for Browsers Book Group, hoping that this might be our penultimate online meeting! We're all eager to meet in person again, I know, but it really has been wonderful to keep in touch through these online conversations and I'd like to thank everyone who has taken part so far. Please reply to this email and I'll send you the details for logging on.

Thank you for reading.

There are just a few more hours to go before we find out if the England men's football team triumph in their first final for 55 years.

Whatever the result, let's hope both the players and the supporters do themselves credit. It's certainly been refreshing to follow a manager displaying the qualities of humility, dignity and clarity in his vision and leadership of the team.

And in the tennis today, too, both finalists spoke so beautifully, eloquently and graciously after their match - very inspiring.

It doesn't feel much like football weather today, as here we've been treated to some warmth and bursts of sunshine.

I'm relishing the opportunity to get some jobs done in the garden, and have been particularly motivated in recent days through speaking to garden designers and owners who have shared with me something of their experience, creativity... and patience.

Gardening isn't about instant results, I've been reminded. It's a lesson in waiting and watching and getting to know the plants and the land, the light and the shade. It's an opportunity to enjoy the moment and dream of what might be ahead.

Thank you for reading.

This week I took one of the longest journeys I've made in a while, driving to a small village near Huntingdon. Not so far, you may say. In fact the trip ended up much longer than it should have done. The roads had changed, others had adopted new names, and others were closed. I'll spare you the details but let's just say I resolved next time to have a map to hand.

I'm not alone in wanting this 'back up', I think. Many people have been visiting the bookshop recently for a new road atlas (because garages no longer sell them apparently!). Despite the wonders of SatNav (most of the time) many of us like to get a bigger picture, to have an impression of where we've come from and where we're going, and all the places in between.

Flying above Suffolk for many years, Adrian Bleese has a better perspective of the landscape than most, noting the changes in the countryside, the housing and industrial development... and alterations to the road network. Scroll down to find out more about his work as a civilian air observer in his entertaining and enlightening new memoir 'Above the Law'.

But it's that time already - we're looking at the end of the month again. If you're planning on joining the book group discussion on Monday 26 July, please reply to this email and I'll send you the details for logging on to the Zoom meeting. This month's book is 'We, the Survivors'. If you've read it but can't come along, feel free to email me your comments and I'll share these with the group on your behalf. We're still unable to meet in person but hope soon to find a suitable venue.

However, there is a 'real life' book event taking place at The Cut in Halesworth next Sunday, 25 July. Conversation at The Cut in Halesworth features the novelist Esther Freud. She will be in person, with me, on stage, talking about her latest book 'I Couldn't Love You More'. Esther is fascinating to hear speak about the inspiration for this book from her personal story, and the research she undertook, as well as her writing career as a whole. Scroll down for more details.

I know it's going to take a while for us to feel comfortable about many of the things we used to take for granted but if you would like to see Esther, The Cut is managing these events very well. Tickets are free but due to space limitations, it's best to reserve your place in good time.

It's all change tomorrow, though, isn't it. While the government withdraws its legal requirements regarding Covid restrictions, individual businesses are making their own policies in keeping staff and customers safe. Bookshops, for example, have, in the main, decided to encourage people to continue wearing masks as they browse the shelves. Get an update from Browsers Bookshop by signing up to the newsletter here or go to the website here.

Thank you for reading.

The tennis and football has certainly provided a welcome distraction in the past few days. How nice to have some semblance of normality as familiar sporting competitions have taken place, and we've had something different on which to focus our attention and to feel a collective adherence.

There's certainly been something to celebrate, too, in the efforts of the young British player, Emma Raducanu at Wimbledon and the talent and team spirit displayed in Gareth Southgate's England as they move to the Euro 2020 semi-finals this week.

While it's still very difficult to plan ahead, and we've all become accepting of disappointments, the anticipated achievements of our favoured players has given us all something to hope for, a renewed sense of community, and a different topic of conversation!

It's a time when it's acceptable to adopt an allegiance to one side above another and, for England supporters, this week's recommended read may prove of interest as historian Marc Morris's surprise bestseller presents a history of the beginnings of England. Scroll down for more details.

So good luck for the coming week, and thank you for reading.