It's quite frustrating when you find a good novel, start to read it, get hooked and then have to stop for some reason.

This happened to me the other day with Philip Hensher's The Northern Clemency.

I borrowed a copy from a colleague but she needed it back sharpish, and I've only read about 40 pages.

But it's so well written, I'm completely hooked, so I strolled up to the central library at Westgate to see if the librarians could put me out of my misery.

I didn't need to bother them. There was a copy of the chunky hardback waiting for me on the shelf.

When I got back home from the office, I noticed to my dismay that the book was not in the plastic Waitrose bag I use as a daily book depository, so I hope I have left it on my desk. Otherwise I face further frustration and a hefty bill.

I was also deeply frustrated when I found out that William Boyd has a new novel out - but it is not on sale until September.

I might be able to get a review copy before publication date but it's still a long time to wait.

The novel is called Ordinary Thunderstorms. From a brief synopsis on Amazon, the story appears to be set in this country and reveals what happens to a chap called Adam Kindred when he comes to London from America for a job interview. I suppose I'll just have to be patient.

Boyd wrote a column in this week's Observer in which he told his fans that he has taken himself off to Vienna to research his next novel.

Apparently there is always a bit of a lull before the fanfare of publicity for a new book, and the wait has left him feeling a bit apprehensive.

I hope he found Vienna inspiring, and now I'm intrigued about the novel after next.

I popped into Tesco the other night to pick up a copy of Marian Keyes' latest bestseller, This Charming Man, and the store was completely sold out.

My wife likes the odd Keyes, although she is now reading the rather fearsome looking The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell.

Not being connected to the Zeitgeist myself, I have asked her on a few occasions: "Have you reaching the tipping point yet?"

She hasn't thrown the book at me yet but it's only a question of time.