We write and publish a website that is predominantly about style, beauty and fitness. Recently, we decided to add a feature about books that would be updated every other week. As this is an experiment, it will run for about three months, and then we will review whether we think it has been successful.

Books are relevant to our website, because we believe that there is little point in looking lovely if you have nothing to say. We accept that it is possible that our viewers will not be interested; if people want to read about books, they will go to a website about literature, or browse Amazon.

The feature will be written by Pat, at least most of the time, because she has more time to read.

It seemed like a good idea to choose three books that were somehow related to the current theme of the website. We have a theme every month, partly as an aid to forward planning, but also because we think the site has more coherence, and possibly we get more relevant Google ads.

 Pat says with hindsight: "Well, it seemed like a good idea until I understood that the theme for the first selection was Teeth and Smiling.

It didn't take too much effort to think of 'White Teeth' by Zadie Smith. 

When this book was first published there was a lot of publicity, a lot of it focussed on the young author rather than the book.  It sounded to me as if it would be very serious, and it certainly looked very long, so I did not rush out to buy a copy.

A couple of years after it was published, a friend who is a constant reader told me that he had really enjoyed it.  He confessed that he must have acted as a public advertisement for the book, because he does a lot of reading on the train and he kept laughing out loud while he was reading this book.

My friend explained that the story is set in the London Borough of Brent, which is where I met me friend.  (It is also where he met his wife, but that is another story.)

Those of you who do not live in London, or work in local government, will probably not know where Brent is, but you may recognise the names Wembley and Willesden.  These are the 2 northwest London areas that make up the Borough of Brent.  'White Teeth' is mostly set in Willesden, which is the more densely populated, working class part of the Borough.

One thing that I always enjoyed about working in Brent was the cultural mix.  Many places say they have a cultural mix, or are ethnically diverse, or a melting pot, but Brent could win a prize for cultural diversity.

When I started reading 'White Teeth' I really fell in love with the book when I got the paragraph where one of the characters has just moved to Willesden.  She is reading the signs on shops: "Mali's Kebabs, Mr Cheungs, Raj's, Malkovich Bakeries", and realises that 'there was just not enough of any one thing to gang up against any other thing".

Zadie Smith has written an entertaining family saga covering 3 families over 3 generations, but with some serious thoughts an insights sewn amongst her story-telling.

In my opinion, this book gives a good impression of what suburban London was really like at the end of the last decade."

Pat continues: "I tried to think of a piece of serious, adult literature that featured a dentist, or at least referred to teeth.

When I tried to think of all the books I have enjoyed reading on a deck chair, or reclining on the sofa, or propped up in bed, I drew a blank.

However, there was a vague echo in my brain about "gnashing terrible teeth", and after a night's sleep I knew where this phrase came from - 'Where the Wild Things Are' by Maurice Sendak.

While this may not be serious, in my opinion it is literature, and I consider it an adult's book, even though you would find it in the children's section of a library.

The reason I call it an adult's book is that is one that an adult can enjoy reading to children. I have read this book out loud so many times that I think I might make a credible effort at reciting it from memory, but I still enjoy it.

There are many children's books - especially the ones that are spin-offs from cartoons - that I hate reading a second time, let alone a third.

The basic story of 'Where the Wild Things Are' is very simple. A little boy is naughty, and is sent to his bedroom to calm down. While he is sitting alone in his room, he imagines himself having an adventure that incorporates hopes and fears common to many children. The story ends with him being brought supper.

I think that it works because there is so much scope for the imagination, but it is based on a situation that most children will recognise.

It is a joy for adults because the language is rich right from the opening words 'the night Max wore his wolf suit'. The illustrations (also by Maurice Sendak) are wonderful, and can lead on to discussions between the reader and the listener.

In my opinion, reading to children and really getting into the story is the best way to stimulate a love of reading.

My children are grown-up but my copy of this book is still in regular use when I entertain young visitors."

 Pat argues: " I am allowed to make up my own rules in selecting books, so a book written by someone named Smiley has a connection with teeth and smiling.

When I made the selection for the website, I thought that Jane Smiley was born in Iowa.  Since then I have looked up her biographical details, and find that she went to graduate school in Iowa, and from 1981 taught at Iowa State University in Ames.

I have a soft spot for Iowa because I was born in the eastern part of Nebraska.  The middle of the USA is sadly neglected: everyone knows something about California and New York, and maybe Texas, but everything in between is a bit of a blur.

Although I have lived in England all my adult life, I still have a Midwestern accent.  People always ask where I come from, and when I answer "Nebraska" the most common reply is a rather flat (sometimes confused) "oh. I've never been there."  So I like it when people write about this part of the USA.

The book that I chose for the website was '1000 Acres' because it gives an accurate picture of the Iowa landscape, and farming.   The story itself is somewhat bleak, about a family falling apart.  The parts that I liked best were the descriptions of every day life.  I particularly remember one scene where one of the women makes muffins for breakfast. It seems to me that is something that would only happen in a farm house.

Although when I read it I thought it was brilliantly written, I probably would not choose to read it again.

Perhaps I should have chosen Jane Smiley' novel 'Moo', if only because the name of the book makes me smile.  That one is also set in Iowa, but at a University.  It is a satirical book about how the push for publication, research and sponsorship can eclipse the educational aspects of University life."

 Soon we will be featuring 'hair' on the website.  This will include hair accessories, hair care and hats.  I will be trying to put together a selection of books that have some relevance.  Any suggestions?