Roland Butter

Ooh, excellent choice! Take Me In Your Arms And Love Me - Gladys Knight and the Pips

Well done the Lions! Now come on the Daggers!

Great game, wasn't it? .. despite the weather!

Yes, Jed Mercurio is a "distinctive" writer, isn't he? I read and enjoyed Ascent, but again it took a bit of perseverance before I really got into it. American Adulterer sounds like it may well be worth a read.

Back to Inferno now. It's so difficult picking things up again after a week on something else.

Never on Sunday - Melina Mercouri

Finished Plague Child last night. Quite enjoyed it - it's set at the time of the Civil War, which I think is one of the most interesting periods of British history. It's the rags-to-riches tale of London printing apprentice Tom Neave, who gets mixed up in the world of radical politics. At the same time, he might be the illegitimate son of Lord Stonehouse - or might he? It cracks along at a fair old pace, but the characterisations are a bit thin, and some of the plot devices a bit clunky. The publishers are apparently going to take on readers' feedback before publication, so it'll be interesting to see how it finally turns out.

You might try Ascent by Jed Mercurio. It's the story of a Soviet fighter pilot in the Korean War, who goes on to be selected as a cosmonaut in the USSR's space programme. It's got one of the most haunting endings I've ever read. Or you could try Biggles ....

Down in the Valley - Solomon Burke

Welcome to the Forum, Denise. You're really going to have to keep an eye on that daughter of yours, you know ....

Welcome to the Forum, Hazel. Your English is better than mine

My Man, A Sweet Man - Millie Jackson

Yep, Kylie, the weather in Sydney looked absolutely atrocious. It affected the game, I think. The ball went down quite a bit, and there wasn't the usual biff you get in an Origin game. A predictable win for the banana benders, and the final score flattered NSW a bit. Roll on Origin II ...

Very shortly, the first Rugby League State of Origin match, NSW v Queensland, on Sky Sports. This is the ultimate sporting contest, and it should be a good 'un.

Kensington?? Probably some polo club, I should think ....

What a good question. It's either South Pacific or West Side Story - can't split 'em.

Hi, poppy - how are things in the land of the Long Flat Vowel? Up On The Roof - The Drifters. One of the all-time great "city" songs.

Well, clearly one or other of us didn't pay attention in Geography at school, and I don't think it was me

Ray of Hope - The Rascals (formerly The Young Rascals, for those of you with good memories ...)

Believe me, Kylie, if you want to find someone who speaks perfect English - find a Dutch person

Stuff Like That - Quincy Jones

Ah, you see the difference, Diane, was that '67 didn't matter - to us, at any rate (friendly banter, there ) Actually, that was a great team - Slim Jim Baxter, Jimmy Johnstone, Denis Law, John Greig ... but it still didn't matter ....

I'd be interested to hear what you think of the Rozan book. I've never heard of him (or her, perhaps - see what I mean ), but they had a "buy one get one free double pack" in Waterstones the other day, and I was tempted, especially as it was in the "3 for 2" offer as well. Likewise. To my eternal shame, I've never read it, and I feel I ought to. Vera Brittain was the mother of Shirley Williams, unless my political radar has let me down.

I can understand why Scots wouldn't support England (the General Election results are a bit of a clue ), but I must confess I never understand the "self-hating Englishman" approach. If you're English - regardless of whether you're from Cornwall, London, Yorkshire or anywhere else - why wouldn't you support your own country in a major sporting event?

Six days without a contribution? Surely we can do better than that In My Lonely Room - Martha and the Vandellas