And speaking of letters...

I brought a copy of the Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society, by Mary Ann Shaffer, with a view to giving it to my Mum for her birthday, but after a quick glance through - sorry Mum, it's kind of been adopted into my library.

The GLPPPS is a story that unfolds in the form of letters. Set in post-war Britain, it tells of the correspondence that develops between Juliet Ashton, of Chelsea, and members of the Geurnsey Literary and Potato Peel Society.

I loved 84 Charing Cross Rd, by Helen Hanff, another story told in letters, which also told of life in war-time and did so in a way that a straight narrative could never achieve.

So once again, the value of letters comes to the fore. I'm sure there are other books that use this technique. Am I right in thinking We need to talk about Kevin, by Lionel Shriver is in the form of letters? Perhaps you can name some others.

So another book on my bedside table, and now I've got to think of a new present for Mum.