The Constant Gardener John Le CarrÃ© Headline Â£16.99, pp456 Buy it at BOL. John Le CarrÃ©'s novels may go on the shelves next to Tom Clancy (and sell as many copies) but if his popularity is due to a belief that he adheres to the Boy Scout code of fiction, then his public are reading him for the wrong reasons.
The term divan is often used interchangeably with couch or sofa, but more specifically refers to a couch with pillows for its back and arms. A standard or traditional couch is designed with three seat cushions, cushioned arms or sides and a cushioned back.
A lectern is a flat, raised surface upon which to lay speaking notes. They are available in tabletop and standalone models. A speaker stands behind a lectern. A podium is a platform upon which a speaker stands while speaking. If that sounds like a stage, you are correct. It IS like a stage. A podium can have a lectern on it, so can a stage. You could have a lectern on a podium on a stage. A speaker stands on a podium. This difference doesn't matter a whole lot until you need to work with a meeting planner, hotel, or audio/visual supplier. You want to get it right and ensure they also get it right.