I will admit right off the mark that I am a huge fan of Sandi Toksvig, which has probably coloured by opinion of this book.

Regardless, I enjoyed the deep dive into the etiquette of various situations, even if I can't say that I necessarily agree with all of it.

Sandi's narration of her book was stellar; I always enjoy it when an author reads there own book as there is something about hearing a book exactly as the author intended it that makes it extra special. ( )

I will admit right off the mark that I am a huge fan of Sandi Toksvig, which has probably coloured by opinion of this book.

Regardless, I enjoyed the deep dive into the etiquette of various situations, even if I can't say that I necessarily agree with all of it.

Sandi's narration of her book was stellar; I always enjoy it when an author reads there own book as there is something about hearing a book exactly as the author intended it that makes it extra special. ( )

Review first posted on BookLikes:
http://brokentune.booklikes.com/post/796530/peas-queues

Usually, I try to start my reviews with a quote that I think encapsulates what either what the book is about, or the mood, or something else that strikes me about the book.
I was having a hard time to find a quote from Peas & Queues that would encapsulate any of this.

When I went out for breakfast with a friend on Sunday, he - who likes Sandi Toksvig when she's on tv - asked me what the book was about, and for the first time in ages, I was actually stunned and unable to form a coherent thought that would describe my impressions of the book. Granted, I had only had one sip of my first cup of coffee - but usually I find it easy enough to talk about books.

So, having had the benefit of a few days' reflection, I think my main problem with the Peas & Queues is that I have no idea what the book is about:

In the preface it is explained that the book is aimed at the author's niece as a guide to modern manners and general advice. Then book starts off giving a background to manners and social conventions that became what is now known under the label of "manners". That part of the book is quite interesting - and the examples chosen from history are quite funny.

The subsequent chapters of the book are then devoted to different real life situations - living with other people, eating out, being invited, etc. And this is where the book loses the plot a little; where the descriptions become quite common sense, quite "uninteresting", for want of a better word. Also, there are fewer examples of famous incidents. All in all, the further into the book I advanced, the more it read like writing the book had become a task that had to be completed, but really, the author lost interest in it, too.

Or, maybe it is just me; maybe I just don't give a monkey's about manners. ( )

I enjoyed this read. I like how Sandi Toksvig writes and how she explains things, perhaps a little above the head of the niece she's addressing this to, but I enjoyed it. It made me think about some of the history of some of the customs and of some of my unthinking habits.

Her core is that there are four top c's of manners: Consideration, Common sense, Context and comfort. It's a good core for examining what you're doing.

I enjoyed it, it made me think, it entertained me. ( )