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Books — 7 January 2004
One of my former bosses once gave me some very sound advice.

He said that if I wanted to ensure I remained a fully paid up member of the human race I should always find time to read novels.

I knew he was right then and I know he is right now.

Reading outside one�s specialist area is mind broadening and life enhancing.

But the sad truth is I only get to do it on holiday. I have just come back from a break during which I read three novels, some travel writing, a book on psychology and an autobiography. It was wonderful.

As I have done a number of times before I promised myself to try to keep up the book reading habit when I got home.

But, faced with a mountainous in tray, I ask myself how?

My daily reading consists of correspondence from individuals and organisations in Exeter and policy documents and briefings from officials in my role as a Minister. The only newspaper I read daily is the Echo. I get a five page summary of the national press to save time, as well as a digest of the regional press articles relevant to my department.

Then there�s Farmers Weekly, Farmers Guardian, Fishing News, Fishing Monthly, Nature, New Scientist, The Economist, The New Statesman, The Spectator and a number of other journals and specialist magazines that are essential reading if I�m going to keep on top of what is happening in politics and Government in general and in my own policy areas in particular.

The only time I get to read a book is in bed last thing at night where I generally manage half a page before I fall asleep.

So, if I�m to stick to my good intentions and read more books in 2004, something else will have to give. It might mean having to do without Fish Fryers Weekly.
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