I’ve just started a science fiction book, set in a starship hotel. The main area of the lobby is screen free, as the height of luxury in an era a few hundred years hence. This seems particularly relevant today, given I’ve been stuck in Heathrow Terminal 3 for 18 hours now, an expected overnight stay prior to our flight followed by ( at the moment) a couple of hours delay. We’ve had a hotel to stay in, a basic but adequate dinner last night, and the benefit of the Qantas lounge in which to lurk. Still, approaching 20 hours surrounded by TV screens, departure screens, diving into the Internet echo chamber way too much; books become a refuge.

I have been browsing the shops here but in the interests of maintaining an uncluttered life have restricted much of my buying today, and all holiday, to books.

I have so many books to unpack when we get to the new house ! I will have a small study in the new place, and am already looking forward to arranging all my books on their shelves.

Books bring peace, a different outlook on life, a window to other places and beliefs. Deep reading, losing myself in the place and emotions and characters of a book, takes me out of everyday life and when I return, I often find my perspective has changed.

There’s also a tangible, physical enjoyment of reading a paper book, which I don’t find with a downloaded e-book. The immersive, peaceful enjoyment just in any experienced in the same way, looking at yet another of the screens that dominate our lives.

Airports, while so necessary for travel, are soulless commercial deserts. Heathrow, and I know I’m influenced by my unavoidable time here this journey, is one of the worst airports anywhere, only saved by having a good book in my bag.

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