The Uncommon Reader - Alan Bennett

This short novella has received a lot of good press - which always makes me a bit skeptical. But, I was pleasantly surprised and highly recommend it for a quick read during a quiet evening at home. The Uncommon Reader features Queen Elizabeth - not known for her literary prowess - forced out of politeness to borrow a book from a traveling library. Each week, as the bookmobile visits the Palace, she trades in one book for another, until she finds that she has indeed caught the reading bug. From here, she finds herself wishing she could cancel dinners and teas, if only to find another minute to read. Her natural curiosity knows no bounds, and this translates into an insatiable reading appetite. Those around her try desperately to change her course, arguing that reading isolates and that she should not be perceived as endorsing one form of entertainment over another. When she hopes to engage her subjects by asking what book they are currently reading, most respond in horror, unsure of the response she expects (though some enthusiastically commend Harry Potter). Bennett's novella has the Queen finding herself irritated by chores that take away from her reading time, and by all accounts acting as any bibliophile would - only her role as a monarch puts her into some tough situations. I found this book quite clever - even if a little silly at times. But, definitely a really fun read - and a good reminder of how much time I do spend reading, perhaps to the detriment of other things.