Summer reading

For our final post of the term, Mr Littlewood, Mr Deakin and Dr Burke, all three of whom are (sadly) leaving SPS this year, very kindly answered our questions about the books they enjoy.  Here, to inspire you with ideas for summer reading, are their responses.
What were you reading when you were a teenager?
Mr Littlewood: The Gormenghast trilogy by Mervyn Peake. Several times!

Dr Burke: Paolo Coelho books stand out most in my teenage memory.  In particular, The Alchemist, Veronica Decides to Die and The Devil and Miss Prym.

Mr Deakin: very little, and it is one of my regrets.  I still struggle to find time to read books during term time (preferring instead to devour multiple newspapers per day) but I make up for it away on holiday.

What is your all-time favourite book?
Mr Littlewood: The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

Dr Burke: Dubliners by James Joyce

Mr Deakin: probably an atlas.  There's always more you can see if you look closer.

Do you have a favourite fictional character, and if so, who is it?
Mr Littlewood: not especially!
Dr Burke: Abel Rosnovski from Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer

 Peter Strauss (right) as Abel Rosnovski in the TV adaptation of Jeffrey Archer's Kane and Abel -

'the ultimate novel of sibling rivalry' (according to Dan Brown)

Mr Deakin: Skullion from Porterhouse Blue by Tom Sharpe.  As a Cambridge alumnus, I appreciate the stereotype.

David Jason as Skullion, the Head Porter, in Channel 4's adaptation of Porterhouse Blue

If you could recommend one book that everyone should read, what would it be?
Mr Littlewood: The Wind in the Willows

Mr Deakin: a cop out, but I would recommend everyone reads at least two different newspapers each week.  It is crucial to understand the world around us, but it is important not to just look at the world through one perspective.

What are you planning to read this summer?
Mr Littlewood: Not sure yet.  Don't know where to begin!

Dr Burke: Non-fiction - Easter Widows by Sinead McCoole.  Fiction - Roald Dahl's short stories

Mr Deakin: Chavs - the Demonisation of the Working Class by Owen Jones.  I read his second book (The Establishment: and how they get away with it) last summer, and it was excellent.  So I want to go back and read the first.

What's your favourite line from a book?
Mr Deakin: probably 'not a penny more, not a penny less', from the Jeffrey Archer novel.

Dr Burke: 'what is any ocean but a multitude of drops?' (from Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell)

Many thanks once again to Mr Littlewood, Dr Burke and Mr Deakin for taking the time to reply to our questions: have a great summer, and happy reading!!!