For all you Ian McEwan fans (and you should become one if you're not since he is the best writer in Britain today) he has a brand new novel out called "On Chesil Beach" which is currently being read on BBC's Book at Bedtime. We always prefer to start these a little late so we have a few to listen to at a time since the daily episodes are only 15 minutes. It will probably be available for about a month to read in archived form.
Chesil Beach is in Dorset and apparently the beach has these very famous "shingle" stones. In an interview McEwan mentioned he had picked up a handful of them to take home for inspiration for his novel. Now he finds out that there is a 2000 pds fine for removing even one stone!
For newbies to McEwan, try "Saturday," "Atonement", and "Enduring Love". And for my lucky friends (Kerry, Roger, Neil, Donna) who are now winging their way to a 10 day tour of the battlefields of France and the rededication of the Vimy Memorial, when you get back you must read "Atonement" for one of the most wonderful passages of writing ever written about anything...it happens to be on the retreat to Dunkirk.
And for everyone else who wants a feel for the wonderful Vimy Memorial and can't be there April 9, read Jane Urquhart's "The Stone Diaries".
BBC - Radio 4 - Book at Bedtime
