What is it about blokes that they can’t turn down the testerone, even when it’s an innocuous challenge and from a lady at that? I was feeling a little smug about being so well-read, now that The Fountainhead is going so swimmingly. And I let slip as much to reviewer of this parish, Mandy Jenkinson.

BIG mistake. Especially since I already knew that Mandy was a former librarian and that her passion is reading, as declared in this issue of newbooks.

She just happened to reply that, yes, she’d read and enjoyed that book last year along with another of Ms Rand’s works. And that was all it took.

Me: One day I’ll discover an author before you.

Her: Yes, you might.

Me: OK, that sounds like a challenge.

Her: Well, if you want but that wasn’t what I meant.

I paraphrase – but not much. So now I’ve lumbered myself and need to find a worthy but undiscovered (by Mandy) author in order to save face. Stoopid!