For the animal and bird lovers out there, here are two lovely books. I don’t use that term lightly. They really are an absolute delight and suitable for any age, really they are.

Let’s start with two owls. Yes, that’s right, owls.

Jonathan Franklin was told of two orphan owls shortly before he was due to return to school. Of course he adopted them, and there he was a dad aged 16. Off they went to Eton, the three of them. Tweedledum and Tweedledee were accepted by Jonathan’s housemaster, who seems to have been a pretty close facsimile to Mr Chips.

Two Owls at Eton was written by Jonathan Franklin in 1960 , but has just been updated. It is a classic as Dum and Dee lead their dad on a merry dance, pretty much like any toddler. Destruction was the name of the game, and food, provided by ‘dad’ in the form of mice, liver, and all sorts, often with the support of other boys, and of course, the housemaster. It was always Jonathan’s intent to bring them up until they were able to leave home, and fend for themselves. Ho hum.

Well, yes, they do leave, but much like our kids, there are the trips home, not quite with the washing, but a meal is always a good idea. A lovely book, kind and empathetic. I didn’t know owls can’t move their eyes, only their heads.

Two Owls at Eton John Blake Publishing hb. £9.99

Another to wring the withers is

A Friend for Life, with a foreword by Paul O’Grady MBE

This is a collection of true stories of love and rescue from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. I am not allowed to help at any rescue centres because I would bring them all home. We have a Cavachon, a Cockerpoo, (more cock than poo) and a rescue British Blue cat. I would have more. Him indoors has put up the barricades.

These stories are moving, gentle, and optimistic as cats and dogs are taken into their ‘forever’ homes, and quite clearly heal their owners, just as much as they are healed. But that is no surprise, it’s what animals do.

There are battles of wills as these animals, who have not had the best start in life, learn to behave and enjoy a loving but firm environment. You’ll just love it.

A Friend for Life. Penguin   £6 99

Two books for the Christmas stocking, but do read them first .Or ask Santa to give you a copy of each.

There’s an interesting trend in historical fiction writing to search out the lesser known characters from our past and shine a light on their lives. Anne Boileau has chosen to base her debut novel on the life of Katharina van Bora, an ex nun who becomes the wife of the 16^th century German reformer Martin Luther. Little is known about Katharina or indeed about the day to day life of Martin Luther himself, but Anne Boileau successfully takes the known facts and weaves them into an intriguing tale by allowing Katharina to write her own story up to the birth of her first child while she is confined to bed after a threatened miscarriage.

It all starts a bit slowly and isn’t the most compelling of reads, but it picks up pace as the tale progresses and is worth persevering with. I particularly liked the vivid and very visual descriptions of the German countryside, and the detail of meal preparation, food preserving, keeping house, herbal medicine and the education and care of children. Anne Boileau is a poet as well as a novelist and it shows in her writing, as does her interest in the countryside and land management. The period detail is good and the glimpses into the thought processes of Martin Luther and the turmoil his views caused at the time are well handled and intriguing. And if that is the sort of historical fiction you enjoy, then this is one for you.

Katharina Luther: Nun, Rebel, Wife by Anne Boileau is published by Clink Street Publishing and available in paperback priced £8.99 or on Kindle priced £3.79 from 4 October 2016

I’ve had such a great time trying:

Villa Maria Private Bin Pinot Noir Marlborough 2015

This glorious vintage wine is medium bodied  with fruit flavours, and herbs in there somewhere. It put me in mind of a burgundy I had in France on a warm summer day, but this I think has the edge on that, with its richness of dark cherry, and spices. Just my sort of wine. I loved it.

Sir George Fistonich, founder and owner of Villa Maria says, ‘A leader in sustainability, innovation and quality, our family winery is recognised as an icon in the New Zealand wine industry.’ Tastes good too.

Sir George suggests it should be drunk with game meats or cheese.

RRP: £13.35 | Stockists: The Co-op, Morrison’s, Asda, Hailsham Cellars, Vino Wines, Temple Wines, Bin 21, Famous Wines, www.nzhouseofwine.co.uk

But you must also try:

Villa Maria Private Bin Shiraz- Hawkes Bay 2014.

 Shiraz is always a good bet for our household. Up to now I’ve preferred the Australian’s Shiraz but this is excellent, and just as good. It’s such a friendly accessible wine, and has an intensity of flavour, fruity, with a hint of pepper I thought. Just that little bit of – not exactly bite but – well, peppery. And a lovely deep colour. I wonder if this is because the grape tends to respond well to a free draining soil?

A great after taste, very smooth, full of flavour, too moorish, quite frankly. Gulp gulp. Try it with red meats, game and cheeses.

RRP: £13.35| Stockists: Wine Rack, Hailsham Cellars, Dylan’s Wine Merchants, Islington Wine, www.nzhouseofwine.co.uk‘