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There was no avoiding the book news this week - Puffin is seeking to reissue the Roald Dahl books with amended text after being read by sensitivity readers.

Everyone seemed to have an opinion on this - Salman Rushdie, the Prime Minister, the Queen Consort. Matt the cartoonist quipped that the title of one classic was to be changed to 'Charlie and the Quinoa Factory'. The debate filled page after page in the newspapers, day after day, with both serious and wry comments.

Then it seemed some sort of resolution was found as Penguin decided to keep both the original and revised editions in print. Commercially, a winner.

But there was another development today. Ian Fleming Publications, publisher of the James Bond novels, has engaged its own sensitivity readers so will be issuing new editions with references to racism, particularly, removed.

Where will this end? It's a worrying trend, it has to be said. And surely it's better to look at ensuring current and future fiction isn't offensive rather than seeking to revise past publications? As Philip Pullman commented, better to let inappropriate texts slip out of print if they are no longer relevant? And aren't we informed and intelligent enough as an educated nation to realise that times have changed and language and social norms evolve?

However, Roald Dahl revised his books himself. 'And Then There Were None' wasn't the original title of Agatha Christie's novel. An illustration of Peter Rabbit's dad baked in a pie did not appear in the second edition.

Sometimes it is right to amend works with the knowledge and sensitivities we have today. The trouble with the recent reworking of Dahl (and the Bond books from what was reported today), is that many of the changes are just plain silly. How can it stop bullying in the playground by changing the word 'fat' to 'enormous' for example?

Thank you for reading.

PS Last call for book group tomorrow evening! I hope you're able to join in our discussion about 'The Ice Palace' but do please let me know by replying to this email no later than noon tomorrow so that I can ensure sufficient chairs and catering is in place!

This book is part reportage, part memoir, part travelogue as the author makes different journeys into different communities all around the world.

It begins with the extraordinary story of the Chilean miners - I can remember hearing about the disaster on the news and how we all hoped that the men would be found, but prepared ourselves for the worst. This is an amazing account of those events and leaves you awe-struck. I'll say no more, read it!

Inspired by all he discovered in Chile, the author goes on to investigate people and communities in war zones and troubled lands, but also places closer to home, such as Bristol! He shows how people seek to help and support each other and show kindness. He describes how people try to resolve disagreements and conflict, often as simply and quietly as spending time listening.

It's a thought-provoking, uplifting and hopeful book of individuals and communities seeking to make a difference.

For recommended non-fiction titles, take a look here.

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