Rather bizarrely, it may seem, I'm presently reading
Swallows and Amazons for the first time.
I began this for research purposes - I felt it may have a bearing on my latest detective mystery, which is set on an imaginary Lakeland island.
However, what a beautifully written book!
It reads like the Famous Five with all the rough edges smoothed off. And quite a little adventure is developing.
There is an extraordinary attention to detail in the technical aspects of sailing - something I know next to nothing about. Yet, when viewed through the prism that is the perspective of the four children (competent sailors), this acquires an almost Zen-like elegance, if that makes sense.
I shall be interested to see what our ten-year-old makes of it when I pass it on!