The Summer of a Dormouse, by John Mortimer (Penguin, £6.99 in UK)

This is the third in a series of autobiographies by John Mortimer, the playwright, novelist and former barrister best known for creating Rumpole of the Bailey. The book works best when it focuses on the discomforts of growing old: Mortimer's trouble putting on his socks, his fear of developing Alzheimer's and the guilt he feels during his first wife's funeral for still being alive. These comical reflections are often overshadowed by name-dropping anecdotes about retired judges and literary-establishment figures living in ""Chianti-shire"". that would sparkle if Mortimer were a guest on Parkinson. In his late 70s, Mortimer is not so much angered as disappointed by the modern world. "Reasonable muggers", death threats from animal rights' groups and his youngest daughter's announcement that she does not love him are treated with nonchalance. Only New Labour's curtailing of the power of juries threatens to infuriate the ex-defence barrister and break the polite tone of this ambling account of a year in his life.