My much-needed sorbet course to escape the Russian black dog brought me to Kinsley Amis On Drink (Jonathan Cape) which was originally published in 1972, with some amusing caricature sketches by Nicolas Bentley. I’m not sure what to say other than it’s pretty much exactly what you might imagine it to be. Cocktail recipes, hangover cures, top tips and old wives tales challenged. If you like Kingsley Amis and/or his writing and his books, you will probably love this book. If you do not, and there are some understandable reasons why you may take against him, then you will probably not chuckle and smile your way through this. It did me just fine and I am now back in the game. ( )

Insights and novel reflections on a favorite indoor sport. ( )