Enjoying the late afternoon sunshine with a cup of tea and a good book.
Perhaps I’m just looking for an excuse, but when I hear the word “volume” I think first of books.
It’s a shame the phrase “a slim volume” so often has negative connotations of insubstantial work by little-known authors, because it’s really perfect for Alan Bennett’s wonderful, short but very substantial, novel in praise of libraries and reading.
Volume is Debbie’s choice for this week’s One Word Sunday. So tear yourself away from whatever you’re reading and visit her post.
Zimmerbitch 
A fine choice of book – one of the best is ‘our Alan’.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Robin. I’ve not heard of that 😀
LikeLike
I adore Alan Bennett’s writing and I love this book. Have the same chair too. And agree with the maybe possible misunderstanding of slim volume, although in my case, I see it rather for ´small’ but precious (interesting, maybe designs, different, deep) content. Happy Sunday
LikeLiked by 2 people
Happy Sunday day to you too. Glad to know another Bennett fan.
LikeLiked by 1 person
PLEASE you all read also his book AND a most wonderful film with the same name:
The lady in the van. Magnificent with one of the treasures of British films.
LikeLiked by 5 people
Looks like a great movie and even better book!
Leslie
LikeLiked by 2 people
Love, love, LOVE The Lady in the van!! Both book and film – Maggie Smith at her best! 😄
LikeLiked by 3 people
She is wonderful isn’t she!
I read The Lady in the Van first as a chapter in one of Alan Bennett’s memoirs, and thought it terribly sad. I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy it dramatised, so resisted the movie for a while. Fool!! Of course it was wonderful.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’ve first heard it as an audiobook, also read my Maggie Smith herself and knew it could just get better. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sarah, I even have two copies of this book, one a VERY old one which must have a certain value, as it’s linen bound and has drawings in it!!!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
That sounds wonderful, Kiki!! It’s like having two treasures in one – the story and the beautiful bound book! 😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
You are definitely a girl after my own heart 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
😀💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isn’t it fabulous!! Have you seen The History Boys? That’s my favourite Bennett film.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No, was it an English film too?
LikeLike
Yes. Released in 2006 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0464049/. The stage show has been around much longer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tks – I did check it out but it seems to be very difficult to buy – I don’t know why. But I will find a DVD – and have I really spied James Gordon somewhere?!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you can find a copy. And yes — James Corden is very very funny in it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And a lovely still life image.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Jude.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmmm, I’ve never heard of him, although I’ve been a fan of reading and libraries my entire life. 🙂 Have to see if our library has anything by him. An inviting shot for the challenge, Su.
janet
LikeLiked by 1 person
They do, although not this volume. I’ll check other libraries in the system and they also have the movie mentioned. 🙂 Hurrah!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Alan Bennett is one of my literary heroes. He’s best known as a playwright and, originally, as a member of Beyond the Fringe with Peter Cook, Dudley Moore and Jonathan Miller.
You may know him through the films The Madness of a King George and The History Boys, both of which he wrote as stage plays and adapted for the screen.
LikeLike
… and The Lady in the Van of course, which is probably his most famous (and most recent) film.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll check it out, figuratively and literally, when I get back.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Great shot, Su! May it inspire your followers to read more slim volumes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Peter 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I need to expand my thinking a bit. I would not have thought of book and volume together. When I hear ‘slim volume’ that is an enticement to me, so I was happy to hear that this slim volume was so enjoyable.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is brilliant. Think mobile libraries, Buckingham Palace and quiet, clever humour.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A delightful way to spend an afternoon, Su.
Leslie
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was thanks Leslie
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely chair, book and tea cup! Somehow I always connect volume to either volume in hair or music! 😂 But the term ‘a small volume of verse’ also comes to mind. 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
My second thought was volume of liquid — but I figured measuring cups don’t make great photos 😂
I wouldn’t have thought of hair, despite my use of products for that very purpose.
Isn’t English a peculiar language. Do you have the same ambiguities in German?
LikeLiked by 1 person
We do have such words, and I just had a look online because non would come to mind (it’s always like that isn’t it), and had a real good laugh! 😀 I’m not sure how much sense it would to share them with you though as you don’t speak German… 😉
LikeLike
I’m just pleased it isn’t only English that is so confusing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Let’s volumize our hair, turn up the music and read Su’s book. Lord, help us all!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Now there’S a WP challenge. Selfie with big hair, small book and musical choice to accompany it.!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Perfection, it’s the weight of the words, and not the volume.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Sally. That is exactly right.
LikeLike
I love Alan Bennett, and have this book too – though in a less handsome edition than yours. I love everything everyone else has mentioned, plus his Talking Heads on TV which were absolute masterpieces of poignancy. There were some good documentaries about him a few years ago too. If there’s anything better than reading him it’s listening to him, which I could do for ever. That warm, Yorkshire voice – a true national treasure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Totally agree with you — especially his voice. 😀
I’ve never seen any of the Talking Heads on TV, but T and I did go to a performance of three (can’t remember which ones) at The Bull theatre in High Barnet, not long after we moved to the UK. Even without performances by the likes of Thora Hird and Penelope Wilton, the monologues were wonderful.
LikeLike
They are from quite a way back, yet I can still remember the storylines of most of them. He has a way with words for sure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He does. He’s one of very few authors who has had me laughing out loud, and moved me to tears.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A good choice for volume, Su – lovely image too.
And I like your comment on slim volumes – you can never judge a book by its size!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Debbie 😀
LikeLike
As a chemist I think of beakers and pipettes when I see the word ‘volume’ I’m afraid….
I enjoyed Woman in the Van too. One of my acquaintances from drawing classes was at school with Maggie Smith!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀😀
I thought measuring jug (I’m a baker rather than a chemist), but didn’t think I could make a good image from that.
Any connection to Maggie Smith would be something to dine out on!! One of my Uni tutors went on to become NZ first elected woman PM, but as a few of my friends regularly dine with her husband, it’s not much of a claim to fame.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The volume as a book, and a decent volume, oops quantity, of tea!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hadn’t thought about my tea, though volume of liquid was one of things that came to mind originally.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, there you go!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Strong tea, Su! Irrelevant, I know. 🙂 🙂 Have a good week!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The strength of tea is never irrelevant!,
It was a builder’s brew — despite the pretty cup — but I think the shadows make it look even darker in the photo.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sigh – the Perfect Setting …
I am a big fan of the thinner book, especially these days when too heavy a tome is tough on the wrists. Some of my favourite thinner books are The Alchemist by Paul Coelho & The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLike
A great interpretation of an interesting theme. I’d like to grab a cup of tea and join you! I just finished re-reading Rebecca by D. Du Maurier. Still a wonderful classic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’d be very welcome 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Shelter – Travel with Intent