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Alex Johnson

@shedworking

Alex Johnson has been part of The Independent's online team since 2007 and writes The Home Front property column. He has been writing about microarchitecture on his internationally-acclaimed website Shedworking since 2006 and is the author of three books, Shedworking: The Alternative Workplace Revolution, Bookshelf, and Improbable Libraries.

Each year a new writer hands over an unpublished text to be stored until 2114
Features

Future Library: The forest that will become an anthology in 100 years

From the culture of bees to the variability of human ears, invented books feature heavily in Arthur Conan Doyle’s detective series
Features

Case of the 'invisible' books: 10 titles 'written' by Sherlock Holmes

Cinderella starts a business and Sleeping Beauty’s savings grow while she sleeps in the book
Features

Reading well: The books prescribed by mental health experts

The cover of ‘The Girl Who Was Plugged In’ contains 150 LEDs that change appearance depending on what’s happening on the page
Features

From vinyl recordings to 'wearable' books: The rise of sensory fiction

A copy of Harry Potter burns during a protest in New Mexico – the pastor called it a ‘masterpiece of satanic deception’
Features

From the Quran to Harry Potter: The most challenged books in America

Commons knowledge: the mission of the lower house library is to ‘contribute to a well-informed democracy’
Features

'How Parliament Works' and other books borrowed by MPs

'Oh me! Oh life!': Robin Williams plays maverick teacher John Keating, who uses poetry to inspire his students to follow their dreams
Features

A 'Dead Poets Society' reading list

No thanks: Leonardo DiCaprio in F Scott Fitzgerald’s ‘Trimalchio in West Egg’ doesn’t quite have the same ring to it
Features

Alternative titles F Scott Fitzgerald considered for The Great Gatsby

From leftover summer novellas to can’t-get-past-the-first-pagers, we all have an ‘antilibrary’
Features

The books everyone starts and no one finishes

The library stocks around 20,000 books and has the most unfathomable accession process of any library in the world
Features

Most wanted: The books banned at the Guantanamo Bay detainee library

Keen-eyed fans have compiled a list of the titles visible on the shelves in Leonard and Sheldon’s sitting room
Features

From Big Bang Theory to The Simpsons: The art of the TV bookshelf

The Victorian writer invented witty titles and had the book-backs printed to disguise a hidden door to his study
Features

The fake books Charles Dickens used to decorate his library

The most famous incineration took place on 10 May 1933, which included throwing tomes onto a bonfire and reciting ‘Fire Oaths’
Features

From Hemingway to HG Wells: The books banned and burnt by the Nazis

Features

From Hemingway to HG Wells: The books banned and burnt by the Nazis

The most famous incineration took place on 10 May 1933, which included throwing tomes onto a bonfire and reciting ‘Fire Oaths’
Even astronauts need time to unwind: the station has a well-stocked film library and an eclectic selection of books
Features

What do astronauts read on the International Space Station?

In 2015 the musician shipped 250 books from his New York home to open a lending library
Features

The books in ex-Talking Head David Byrne's private library

Features

The Human Library: where the 'books' tell their own stories

A network of libraries passed through lighthouses across the US to help combat the boredom of their keepers
Features

The Book List: US Light House Establishment Library Box 141

A network of libraries passed through lighthouses across the US to help combat the boredom of their keepers
Features

The Book List: US Light House Establishment Library Box 141

With limited storage, Kindles banned and plenty of time to spare, the NeRDs are in high demand on the subs
Features

NeRD: The super secure e-reader designed for US navy submarines

Napoleon was one of the best read emperors the world has seen
Features

What do conquerors read? Inside Napoleon's travelling library

The tomes chosen by castaways are most commonly classics
Features

Top 10 book choices on Desert Island Discs

The expedition team packed plenty of weighty tomes, as well as food and warm clothes for the 1901-04 voyage
Features

What books did Captain Scott take to the Antarctic?

The chain provides an annual update of bizarre items left in its hotels
Features

The most popular ‘left behind’ books in Travelodges

The social network was set up in 2001, now books are on the move in more than 130 countries
Features

The top reads on BookCrossing, a social network of 11 million books

The banking giant has been recommending literature to its clients since 1999
Features

Why JPMorgan recommends books to its clients every year

Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin celebrates the joy of reading by taking part in a campaign to boost child literacy
Features

The books that Premier League footballers recommend for children

The social network was set up in 2001, now books are on the move in more than 130 countries
Features

The top reads on BookCrossing, a social network of 11 million books

The banking giant has been recommending literature to its clients since 1999
Features

Why JPMorgan recommends books to its clients every year

Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin celebrates the joy of reading by taking part in a campaign to boost child literacy
Features

The books that Premier League footballers recommend for children

Harvard students might be poring over tomes that you’ve neglected
Features

What are students told to read at top universities?

Features

What are students told to read at top universities?

Harvard students might be poring over tomes that you’ve neglected
Short stories, pocket editions and poetry anthologies were not only popular as a means to pass the time, but also to take men’s minds off the horrors around them
Features

The literature that gave soldiers solace in the trenches

Lubbock, banker and politician, is all but forgotten today
Features

Meet Sir John Lubbock, Godfather of the must-read listicle

Return to life of Brian: the musician has handpicked some weighty tomes to help humanity find its feet again if the worst happens
Features

Brian Eno's essential reading for the apocalypse

Only the hottest titles: Barack Obama released an annual rundown of his summer reading during his presidency
Features

What books did Barack Obama read as president?

Only the hottest titles: Barack Obama released an annual rundown of his summer reading during his presidency
Features

What books did Barack Obama read as president?

The former PM is keen on worthy reads – but also enjoys the light stuff
Features

What guilty pleasures were on David Cameron's No 10 bookshelf?

Bright eyes: the musician is a keen reader and has kept a public record of every work he has read since 1968
Features

A peek at Art Garfunkel's library – from Twain to Freud

The writer was allowed to keep books in his cell and was also permitted to leave his light on as late as he wanted to read them
Features

What books did Oscar Wilde read in prison?

Life on paragraphs: it appears the rock legend appreciated a diverse range of works
Features

David Bowie's top 100 must-read books

The naturalist’s notes were quite detailed – sometimes they included libraries or people who might be able to lend him works
Features

What was on Charles Darwin's reading list?

It appears the former al-Qaeda leader liked to indulge in serious politics and conspiracy theories
Features

What was on Osama bin Laden’s bookshelf?

This former Methodist Chapel in West Raynham near Fakenham, Norfolk, has planning permission for conversion to a two bedroom holiday property. To be sold at auction on 9 June by William H Brown with a guide price of £65,000-£75,000.
Property

How renters are missing out financially compared to homeowners

This Grade II listed, three bedroom detached house in Wainstalls, Halifax – once part of the Castle Carr Estate - has a castle-style façade, two and a half acres of land, and marvellous countryside views. On for £375,000 with Reeds Rains.
Property

Why you should research your potential landlord's credentials

This three bedroom terraced house is situated in a private close in Black Lake Close, Egham. Features include a lovely oak conservatory, private parking, and a large lawned garden. On for £850,000 with Chancellors.
Property

How much extra do 'full nesters' spend than 'empty nesters'?

Property

Which areas are affordable for first-time buyers?

Sunrays, a five bedroom detached 1920s Art Deco house in Malvern Road, Worcester, has a large sun terrace with views across the city and lovely gardens. On for 675,000 with Quality Solicitors Parkinson Wright
Property

What would your dream home look like?

Property

What would your dream home look like?

Sunrays, a five bedroom detached 1920s Art Deco house in Malvern Road, Worcester, has a large sun terrace with views across the city and lovely gardens. On for 675,000 with Quality Solicitors Parkinson Wright
Salcombe, in Devon, is one of Britain's most expensive coastal locations
Property

Why it's nice to buy beside the seaside

This four bedroom detached house in Weaponness Drive, Scarborough has marvellous panoramic sea views, a double height sitting room, a cinema room, and garden room. On for £799,995 with Hunters
Property

Househunting? No, we're snooping on our neighbours

A four-storey six bed semi-detached house in Fazakerley, Liverpool
Property

The Home Front: Which kinds of properties are rising fastest in value?

'Coracle' is a one-bedroom, 66ft narrowboat which comes with a mooring in central Oxford's Jericho area. Features include central heating, mains electricity, broadband, and a postbox, as well as views of Worcester College's grounds. On with I Am The Agent for £94,950.
Property

The Home Front: How strong is the 'Waitrose effect'?

'Coracle' is a one-bedroom, 66ft narrowboat which comes with a mooring in central Oxford's Jericho area. Features include central heating, mains electricity, broadband, and a postbox, as well as views of Worcester College's grounds. On with I Am The Agent for £94,950.
Property

The Home Front: How strong is the 'Waitrose effect'?

Quay Lane Cottage in Reydon, near Southwold, has three bedrooms, four acres and lovely rural views – plus a detached studio building. On with Flick & Son for £625,000
Property

The Home Front: Where do Londoners move to?

Features

Literary Trumps: Crowdfunding a publishing revolution

A shedcation at the Pool House in Kirkcaldy, Fife: £100 a night for two
Property

The Home Front: From Liverpool housing bargains to millionaire buyers

Clever stuff: invisible beacons inside the property will replace For Sale boards. If the house for sale matches your particular criteria the details will be uploaded to your mobile device as you pass by
Property

The Home Front: What will househunting be like in 2025?

This Grade II three/four bedroom semi-detached house on St Peters Hill, Stamford, has rooms over four levels. It features stone mullion windows, exposed stonework, and a fireplace. On for £350,000 with Newton Fallowell
Property

The Home Front: How long does it take to make a perfect home?

This seven bedroom detached house in Nobold, Shrewsbury is a former farmhouse dating back to the mid-18th century. As well as a guest suite, the property has brick outbuildings and an outdoor swimming pool
Property

The Home Front: Why viewing a house should only take you 10 seconds

This Grade IIlisted two-bedroom terraced house was part of a 19thcentury Wesleyan infant school on Wesley Road, Ironbridge, Telford. Over three floors, the master bedroom has intriguing exposed brickwork as well as an old bell tower. On with Nick Tart for
Property

The Home Front: What tenants leave behind, insurance and lifetime rent

Hop House is a four bedroom home in Holcombe, near Bath. Features include stone walls and reception rooms with vast windows. This former brewery was owned by the parents of explorer Robert Scott. On for £895,000 with Fine & Country.
Property

The Home Front: Nuisance neighbours and landlords selling up

Currently in use as a holiday let, this attractive one bedroom cottage in Robin Hood’s Bay, Whitby, Yorkshire, was originally a blacksmith’s forge. It is on the market for £187,000 (including all contents, beds, washing machine, etc) with eMoov
Property

The Home Front: Burglary hotspots and the cost of living in a 'Warren'

Features

Build your own shed, and have space for some 'me' time

Inside the chalet where David Tennant's character DI Alec Hardy lives during the second series of Broadchurch
Property

Buy in 'Broadchurch'; Mansion Tax around the UK; HS2 help: The Home

Property

Buy in 'Broadchurch'; Mansion Tax around the UK; HS2 help: The Home

Inside the chalet where David Tennant's character DI Alec Hardy lives during the second series of Broadchurch
Three bedroom detached house in Hertford Heath, Hertford, on at £795,000 with Hetheringtons.
Property

Why people hide their property debts; a fall in first-time buyers; and

St Albans Cathedral Choristers taking time out from their rehearsals for some snowballing
Christmas

Choristers at Christmas: Midnight Mass and the end of an era

Property

Sales of million pound properties outside London at new high

Property

House prices continuing to 'soften', says new report

Property

House prices continuing to 'soften', says new report

Property

House prices in market towns outpacing their county neighbours

Property

Scottish rents rising faster than the rest of the UK

First-time buyer figures are rising in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
Property

First-time buyer figures rising in Wales, Scotland and Northern

Bristol: one of the three cities with the highest house price growth year-on-year
Property

House prices in all UK's top 20 cities up more than five per cent

Property

How much does it cost to fix toddler damage in the home? Property news

Average house prices around the location where EastEnders is based have leapt by 437 per cent over the last 20 years
Property

Which soap opera has seen the biggest house price rises? Property news

Property

Small businesses increasingly run from home, says report

Property

Rents reach new record high

Property

Mortgage lending up five per cent

'Second Steppers' spend 19 months longer in their first home than they planned
Property

Detached houses now the goal for 'Second Stepper' homehunters

Five bedroom, 16th century Craigrook Castle for sale, Ravelston, Edinburgh. Guide price £6 million. On with Ballantynes
Property

House prices in Scotland fall while sales grow

Property

Living rooms in decline: Property news update

Zoopla's data indicates that while renters may pay less each month, owners recover their initial costs and become better off within five years
Property

Buyers are better off than renters within five years, says new report

Property

House prices for first-time buyers rising at fastest pace for nearly a

Property

Property asking prices fall: Property news update

Golden Pheasant: Owned by Gary and Lorraine Curd from Yalding in Kent. The shed used to be a farm store that was on the edge of collapsing but was transformed into a garden pub which hosts a number of strange and unique artefacts including a stuffed squir
Property

How much value do home improvements add to a property?

Property

House prices for first-time buyers rising at fastest pace for nearly a

Property

Property asking prices fall: Property news update

Golden Pheasant: Owned by Gary and Lorraine Curd from Yalding in Kent. The shed used to be a farm store that was on the edge of collapsing but was transformed into a garden pub which hosts a number of strange and unique artefacts including a stuffed squir
Property

How much value do home improvements add to a property?

Property

More than four in 10 homeowners over 55 plan to sell their home:

There is strong support for more social housing to be built
Property

Nearly a third of social housing tenants want to buy their own home

Derelict stone and slate former cottage (and 10 acres), Hafodlas Uchaf, Talysarn, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL54. On for £50,000 with Morgan Evans
Property

House prices in rural areas nearly £50,000 more expensive

Eight bedroom country house for sale, Eriswell Road, Lakenheath, Brandon IP27. On at a guide price of £250,000 with Lacy Scott and Knight.
Property

Househunters choose space over location: Property news roundup

For the second consecutive month, the number of first time buyers fell
Property

First time buyer mortgage numbers continue to drop

Property

What do people leave behind when they move house? Property news update

Garlicky pot-roasted chicken with a porcini risotto stirred through
Property

What makes a house smell like a home?

New figures from Savills suggest that 1.2 million more households in England and Wales will be private renters by 2019
Property

Landlords on track to own £1 trillion of property next year

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