Book clubs and toffee apples. Hedgehogs and hangovers. Croquet, ferret racing… and everything in between.
The Best of Notes on... gathers the funniest, sharpest and most wonderfully random pieces from The Spectator’s beloved miscellany column. For more than a decade, these short, sharp essays have uncovered the intrigue in the everyday and the delight in digression. Witty, unpredictable and frequently laugh-out-loud funny, they celebrate life’s odd corners and overlooked pleasures. Expect the unexpected: sharp wit, sideways observations, and the occasional guilty laugh at things you thought only you found ridiculous.
With contributions from a dazzling line-up including Tom Holland, Prue Leith, Jon Day, Julie Bindel, Rod Liddle, Laura Freeman, Tanya Gold, Freddy Gray, Simon Barnes, Mary Killen, Ben Fogle, Ysenda Maxtone Graham, Robert Tombs, Mary Wellesley, Julie Burchill — and plenty more besides.
The Spectator Best of Notes on... is the perfect pick-me-up for anyone who delights in life’s oddities. Whether you're buying for a curious friend, a witty relative, or just indulging your own love of the unexpected, this collection is guaranteed to entertain.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Canapés by Ysenda Maxtone Graham
Jeans by William Moore
Carps by Jon Day
Land Rovers by Ben Fogle
Big Ben by Mark Mason
Mothing by Mark Solomons
Croquet by Sam Leith
Invitations by Philip Womack
Obituaries by Mark Mason
Corkscrews by Henry Jeffreys
Routemasters by Paul Burke
Gins in tins by Flora Watkins
Falconry by Mark Cocker
Trainers by Justin Marozzi
Kippers by Andrew Watts
Wassailing by Matthew Dennison
Foie gras by Paul Levy
Ordnance Survey maps by Mark Mason
The coronation spoon by Robert Tombs
Easter lilies by Lara Prendergast
Toffee apples by Tanya Gold
Cocaine by Julie Burchill
Standing ovations by Laura Freeman
Rats by Jon Day
Tabletop games by Gus Carter
Confetti by Melanie McDonagh
Pebble-spotting by Laura Freeman
Gilets by Henry Jefferys
Valentine’s Day by Freddy Gray
Elderflower by Flora Watkins
Bagpipes by Robert Porter
Viking words by Frederick Edward
Bowls by Michael Simmons
The English seaside by Jenny Coad
Monopoly by Andrew Watts
Pub names by David Butterfield
Signal boxes by Christian Wolmar
Motorways by Mark Mason
Brits in Paris by Laura Freeman
The Bank of England by Mark Mason
Ruins by Harry Mount
Ice cream by Laura Freeman
Soho drinking clubs by Henry Jefferys
Marmalade by Sophia Money-Coutts
Tapestries by Constance Watson
Boxer shorts by Justin Marozzi
The Surrey Hills by Christopher Winn
The Cathars by James Delingpole
Wetherspoons by Henry Jefferys
Doorsteps by James Innes-Smith
Ruislip Lido by William Cook
Pub quizzes by Marcus Berkmann
Corduroy by Marcus Berkmann
Hangovers by Katy Balls
A good night’s sleep by Laura Freeman
Coming second by Mark Mason
Kites by Christopher Fletcher
Unst by Ted Harrison
Being the perfect guest by Lucy Deedes
Frankincense and myrrh by David Abulafia
Literary motorcycling by Christopher Fletcher
Wet weather boots by Laura Freeman
Book clubs by Emily Rhodes
Pigeon racing by Jon Day
Chinese porcelain by Timothy Brook
Hunting by Camilla Swift
Country house opera by Guy Dammann
Garden sculpture by Prue Leith
Visitors books by Mary Killen
Nominative determinism by Dot Wordsworth
Doner kebabs by Michael Simmons
The speaking clock by Alan Steadman
Ferret racing by Peter Krijgsman
St Nicholas by Mary Wellesley
Friday 13th by Fergus Butler-Gallie
Squatting by Julie Bindel
Lonely hearts ads by Anthony Whitehead
Metal detecting by Nigel Richardson
Fringes by Martha Gill
Whistling by Steve Morris
Tiramisu by Tanya Gold
Rude place names by Hannah Tomes
Treehouses by Andrew Watts
Aquariums by Robert Porter
Black tie by Harry Mount
Hedgehogs by Tom Holland
Quince by Rod Liddle
Historical re-enactments by Christopher Brown
Passport stamps by Sean Thomas
Lobsters by Margaret Mitchell
Going grey by Cosmo Landesman
Halloween turnips by Melanie McDonagh
Orcas by Simon Barnes
Bengal cats by Miranda Morrison
Italians by Nicholas Farrell
Cruise ship pianists by Tom Yarwood
Smoked salmon by Henry Jeffreys
Tarot reading by Daisy Waugh
Swiss Army knives by Andrew Watts
Rollies by Ruari Clark
Shrove Tuesday by Francis Young
Beef dripping by Angus Colwell
Ninjas by Francis Pike
Indexes by Dennis Duncan
Index
Credits and Acknowledgements
About the Author :
WILLIAM MOORE is features editor of The Spectator.
