If you’re ever stuck for something to read, somebody else’s reading lists can be a help. Eric Idle posts a continually updated one that’s pretty smashing on his website here.

An inveterate bookworm of the highest caliber, Idle has also compiled a few rules for reading:

• Rule 1:     Never be without a book.
• Rule 2:     Skip all Prefaces, Forewords and Introductions.
• Rule 3:     If you’re bored with a book, chuck it. There are millions of books you will never get to read, so if one doesn’t grab you, put it down.
• Rule 4:     You don’t have to finish a book. You can always come back to it.
• Rule 6:     You may read several books at once.
• Rule 7:     You may skip and skim. This is not a class, this is life.
• Rule 8:     Try and buy from your local bookshop while you still have one.
• Rule 9:     There is no rule 9.
• Rule 10:   Enjoy!