I was asked this week what books I was taking away at Easter (a week's holiday then a five day trip to the US for T4G, but back at home base for Good Friday and Easter Sunday). I must confess I hadn't given this too much thought and so listed some books I need to read for reviews and for possible EMA stage recommendations. I was rightly told by Mrs R when I got home that work books should stay at work. She was right. When you're in ministry you're reading a lot and I find it is actually quite hard to take Christian books away and not be in work mode – so in order to relax and unwind I need to take some non Christian stuff. Good old Mrs R. If you're a heavy reader AND you find it hard to leave work behind, I recommend this – at the very least take some Christian material that is very different from the normal kind of thing you might read. I know some mighty men read John Owen on the beach, but for most of us mere mortals, something else works better to refresh and recharge our minds as well as our hearts.

(Please no postcards about my lack of spirituality)

Here, then is my reading whilst I am away. Not sure how much of it I will manage, but I will have a go:

• Between the assassinations by Aravind Adiga. I enjoyed his first book (White Tiger) and I love anything about India
• Double Cross: Ben Macintyre: this is the story of double agents in WWII. I love anything he writes and this is right up my street.
• God is back: John Micklethwait. This is more of a thinking book about the resurgence of religion
• Stonemouth: Iain Banks. Never really been an Iain Bnks fan, but I'm going to try again
• Sugar Girls by Duncan Barrett. It's difficult to live in the east end of London and escape the Tate and Lyle factories down at the docks. I smell them as I cycle around. The syrup tin is not only the oldest recognisable trademark, but is also, to my knowledge, the only product in Sainsbury with a Bible text (and associated image) on it.

That will do me I think. Also I have Hudson Taylor's biography by Roger Steer to re-read and Iain Murray's biography of Archibald Brown to finish.

There, Robin, is your answer!