I did in fact, write about my pet peeve in spec fic. The Hallowed Halls are Numerous: there's more to an academic setting than Oxbridge 📚💙

I caved and am writing it. It contains the line "this is my peeve and i am petting it" and I'm not even sorry.

Got a hankering to write a blog post about my current pet peeve in fiction: "the only university in the UK is Oxbridge" subtitle LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT DURHAM 📚💙

Reminder to my self: helping in small ways is still helping.

Quaker statement in response to Manchester synagogue attacks on Yom Kippur. We offer our love, support and solidarity with the Jewish community, in Manchester and beyond, following the horrifying antisemitic attack on a Manchester synagogue on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

The past couple of years i really let myself reread things and not get caught up in *having* to read new things. I love reading new books and there are many I want to read but I'm getting great joy from living up old books, either because they're wonderful books but sometimes they're comfort reads.

Neighbour child 1: do you want to see a magic trick? Me: oh yes please Neighbour child 2: we're only showing you because everybody else is busy and your door was open. Me: *deceased*

In all honesty, it’s not rhetoric any more. It’s not narrative. I’ve experienced more racism in the last 4 months than I can ever remember. The wheels are off in the UK and it’s being led by 3 political parties.

Turns out that today is Thursday not Friday. i am too tired for the utterly predictable week established way to visualise pattern of days off the week. (Thank goodness my Thursday schedule doesn't begin until midday)

I would like everyone to think about their values. What do they believe in? start at the abstract, like freedom, love, equity, fairness, etc. And then think about what that specifically means to you. And that it can get complicated, but know where you stand and fucking STAND THERE.

I switched over to Tidal and I'm liking it. There's services available for transferring all your playlists over from Spotify to whichever platform you choose. It was way less of a nuisance than i expected and the benefits far outweigh the faff.

Tldr: Late stage capitalism sucks. The DWP sucks. We have a messed up relationship with the concept of work.

I'm currently doing one day a week in Uni and a half day in placement and i an genuinely loving "going to work". Physically it's rough as hell. It's such a careful balance of my fatigue and health issues and I'm having some tough days in between. But i feel like more of a person doing it. 1/

This is quite exciting

Unintentionally a Naomi Novik month! 7 books (paperback or hardback) 4 audiobooks 1 non fiction 10 fiction (Fatigue and mental health required fiction this month) 8 contained some LGBTQ+ rep It's not about stats, it's about enjoying the reading. But i do like stats. 📚💙

Amazing how much i can read in a month when i can't access social media for half of it. #storygraph 📚💙

I wish it wasn't the case but I do judge a book by the cover. If I'm just browsing, not looking for a specific author or recommendation, then there's some styles of cover i just go right past. Which is a shame and means I'm probably missing out on some great books especially by indie authors. 📚💙

If you want to stand up against this, here are two actions you can take: Cis women. Sign this open letter in support of the trans+ community. notinourname.org.uk/petition/not... Write to your MP using this letter template to help us block the new EHRC Code: docs.google.com/document/d/1...

I’m sharing a Palestinian account every day and today is Waseem. Waseem was married just a few days before the war began and him and his family (some with injuries) have been displaced repeatedly. He hadn’t made a fundraiser before but now in two months his first child Nabil is going to be born❤️

First time in ages a guy has made me feel genuinely unsafe for gender based reasons in ages. (As opposed to because they were high or generally aggressive it looked like they're wanting to nick my bike)

From the intro to Games People Play by Eric Berne. Just seems relevant. (See alt text for plain text) 📚💙✒️

If you see this picture post a random image from your device

Seeing multiple reports about people coming down with Covid after Fantastic Fest. Most of those people will recover okay! Statistically, however, some will get Long Covid and watch their life flip upside down. Going to a fun event shouldn’t include this risk. We HAVE to adapt to, not ignore, Covid.

Can not over state how important this is

I heard today somebody compare recent trends in trad publishing to fast fashion. it made me think of recent criticism of The Booker Prize short list. Essentially if a lot of what is on bookshop shelves and is getting all the marketing is fast fashion,🧵 📚💙

Finished The Appeal today after starting last night. Not without faults but clearly a compelling read! I was a bit apprehensive about the epistolary format, but Hallett did a great job of establishing character and moving the plot even with those constraints. 💙📚 #thriller

I'm a bit obsessed with skincare at the moment and in think it's because chronic health stuff has my body feeling so rubbish this feels like a way i can actually look after and feel good about myself that isn't just medical maintenance.

Five corporations control 90% of the US media market. Airlines merged from 12 major carriers in 1980 to 4 today. Four giants control 80% of meat processing. A handful of companies control the pharmaceutical industry. The evidence of corporate concentration is everywhere.

I was accidentally lactosed today due to not checking for raita on my lunch. It was so tasty. My stomach is cramping so much.

I rarely listen to the full playlist but this evening I'm weirdly in the mood for "all the best covers of Wicked Game" tidal.com/playlist/0ac...

Also bought a giant pack of spiced rooibos tea and a big vegan smarties cookie (already eaten, no picture). Things are going to get cosy!

20p books in the charity shop? Yes please! The Appeal by Janice Hallett and The Rebels by Sándor Márai 💙📚

Again am still sick today, still far from reaching my goal. All I want now is a little rest, a small space where I can breathe again 💔😔 Repost help me reach it today

"We swear allegiance to a flash but that flash doesn't swear allegiance back" I just think that's quite significant to understanding the situation in the UK right now. We might not literally swear allegiance, but what else is patriotism?

I think I've shared this before but "... and we are particularly offended by it" is one of the greatest, understated rebukes possible. It is the epitomy of British Quakerism. It stands alongside "in not angry, I'm just disappointed".

Popping back here briefly to post this pinned link to my new website: everything in one place. Writing archive, links to books & audiobooks. No association with Substack or other venture capitalists. Writing on diverse subjects in your inbox, every week, for a fee of your choice: www.tom-cox.com

I have suffered the devastating loss of my six kids and my entire family, my mother, father, my six siblings, and their children 💔 While carrying this enormous grief I now face a struggle for survival with my baby Please help us and don’t ignore us🙏🏻 gofund.me/b4901a75

Hi Internet! I'm Drew and THIS IS MY FACE. If this GIF has ever brought you joy in the past, I humbly ask you to consider making a donation to the National MS Society. It would mean a lot to me and to those I know affected by the disease! Donate at blinkingguy.com

The hybrid origins of the English language reveal Britain’s long history of migration. From Romans and Vikings to the NHS and modern arrivals. Immigration hasn’t weakened the UK, it’s strengthened it.

Other things I've enjoyed in books recently which have been separate from the main body of work: The content notes at the beginning of Blood on Her Tongue, they're sensitive, informative but don't seem forced or awkward. 💙📚

I slept for like 10 hours last night. As somebody who usually has insomnia this is astounding.

Yessss. Love having the recap at the beginning of Book 2 of the Foresaken Trilogy. And like an explicit recap, not just awkwardly shoehorned into the story. Genuinely helpful. Thanks @rjbarker.bsky.social !

This is my current TBR pile and I'm not sure I'm in the mood for any of them. I'm not sure what I'm in the mood for next. Any suggestions? (Just finished Gideon the Ninth but don't yet have Harrow in paperback). Currently listening to Blood on Her Tongue by Johanna van Veen on audiobook 💙📚

Apparently i can not download scrivener again because this borrowed laptop is a chromebook. Pants

I finished. Now i must sleep more!

If you were concerned about Kimmel, here's another for you… Journalist Mario Guevara has been detained for 100+ days, ironically arrested as he reported on a "No Kings" protest. The Trump-Vance admin just issued an order of final removal, to send him to El Salvador—where he fled from 21 years ago.

I can download scrivener again!

hey, bumping this right now. this has been the most poor ive been through all of 2025. i cant force you to do anything, just take this seriously.