He especially enjoyed the Book of Ruth, which he interprets as people acting loyally and doing the right thing.

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Another fun summer read is Leigh Montville's book on Babe Ruth, The Big Bam: The Life and Times of Babe Ruth.

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The shortlist also includes Peter Porter and Ruth Padel and the prize is named after Eliot - a founder member in 1953 of the Poetry Book Society.

BBC: NEWS | Entertainment | Poets vie for ?10,000 Eliot prize