Gyles Brandreth

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Oh, how I loved that conversation with Fran Lebowitz.

I have to say, it's a great privilege being here in New York City and meeting the woman who in many ways epitomizes the New York voice.

And her dry, sardonic sense of humor is extraordinary.

I've been collecting quotes of Fran Lebowitz for quite a while, so I already knew her views about algebra and smoking.

And I remember because I'm a trustee of a charity called the Queen's Reading Room, which is Queen Camilla's charity for encouraging the joy of reading.

And we treasure a quote of Fran's that says, "'A book is not supposed to be a mirror.

It's supposed to be a door.'"

I've got another of her quotes that I keep on my bedside that I like.

It's all about sleep.

She once wrote that, "'I love sleep.

I love sleep because it is both pleasant and safe to use.

Pleasant because one is in the best possible company, and safe because sleep is the consummate protection against the unseemliness that is the invariable consequence of being awake.'"

What you don't know won't hurt you.

Sleep is death without the responsibility.

That's the voice of Fran Leibovitz, and I'm so pleased to have had it while I've been here in New York.

Till the next Rosebud, thank you for your company.

And if you're listening to this in bed, you're allowed to sleep now without any sense of responsibility.

Enjoy.