Bibi van der Zee writes books and in The Guardian about the environment and food. She has written articles supporting herbalism and charting the best of Patrick Swayze (no, really).

In today’s Guardian, she describes her successful attempt to go without books for a week. Riveting stuff, I know, but she starts of like this:

Going to the loo without a book! It is a profound shock. Instead of reading, I stare at the walls and notice that there are still two empty nails on which I meant – a year ago – to hang pictures. Also, I notice the dust on the floor and the cobwebs on the ceiling. I sense that I will be doing a lot more housework than usual this week.

In situations like these, I recommend a good laxative.

Though maybe not a herbal one.