360 Degree Appraisal

Interested in getting an excellent lowdown on what's happening in new fiction? I've found my best bet is the ground floor at Hatchards, Piccadilly. Everything's there, all genres, beautifully arranged around a central table. You just do a 360 degree walk around and in minutes you've got a good overview and have probably brought several books. I've got a piece coming out in the Guardian soon on the new office novel inspired by spotting on display five novels set in offices. I remember being told once that the Queen Mother was a customer and would discreetly look around in case she was there for the new Dick Francis but, alas, now we will never know.