David and my mother share a passion for books. They devour them. This Christmas my mother gave David a fascinating book she had just read. When David opened the book, he realized it was the book he had just given her. Let’s be clear it was the actual book, not just another copy of the book. I think between them so many books get swapped, lent and recommend my mother simply forgot it had been David’s Christmas present to her, and after enjoying it so much must have thought what an ideal gift it would be for him.

When we were in Paris David would slink off to @shakespeareandcoparis and spend hours drifting through their warren of corridors, passing by Aggie the bookstore cat or a student curled up in the poetry room or hearing a pianist playing Bach in the upstairs library. David says he would like his ashes scattered between the shelves in this kingdom of books. Shakespeare & Co is a community, a commune, a meeting place and institution for readers, writers and artists who have been welcomed for over 70 years.

Another community for creative minds is SCAD. Savannah College of Art and design. And where Amory, seen here in my father’s own library, attends university. Much like Shakespeare and co this is a unique place for discussion and the exchange of ideas, for teaching and learning, for discovery and unexpected encounters.

Isn’t it reassuring that whilst life remains a little upside down small independent bookstores and large universities are powerful magnets for bringing people together from around the world, even if only virtually. A steadying thought amid the turbulence.