Participating in the LibraryThing EarlyReviewer programme can be a bit hit or miss although, since I find it hard to leave a book unfinished, perhaps no more so than picking a book off the shelves of the local library. I can give a hearty recommendation though for Alan Bennett’s The Uncommon Reader, a story of what happens when the Queen discovers reading as a hobby. Monarchists and republicans alike should find delight in Bennett’s skillfully woven tale, bound to bring pleasure to readers however common.