#BooksOf2026 Book number 25 Stowaways by André Aciman #BookSky

#BooksOf2026 Book number 24 A Family Matter by Claire Lynch WOW! Devoured this in a day, a quietly devastating novel that should be a set text. Buy it or borrow it from your local library.

I remember heading down to Liverpool HMV to buy it on the day of it’s release. There was a bomb scare, the buses were stopped & I nearly missed a University exam. Worth it though.

On this day in 1993 Depeche Mode released the album Songs of Faith and Devotion in the UK #OnThisDayDM #DepecheMode #SongsofFaithAndDevotion #SOFAD

#BooksOf2026 Book number 23 Fatale by Jean-Patrick Manchette Picked this on impulse in @waterstones.bsky.social , then it was a recommendation in the latest edition of @strongwordsmag.bsky.social. We are obviously now ‘Simpatico‘ ! (Cat is an optional extra) #BookSky

#BooksOf2026 Book number 22 The Homemade God by Rachel Joyce I’m on a great run of books currently, thank heavens for the library 📚 #BookSky

#BooksOf2026 Book number 21 The Correspondent by Virginia Evans What a fabulous book 📕 One of my favourites of the year. #BookSky

#BooksOf2026 Book number 20 The Barbecue At No. 9 by Jennie Godfrey I didn’t think that Jennie could top her debut novel “The List of Suspicious Things” , but by Jove she did!

#BooksOf2026 Book number 19 Blade Of Light by Andrea Camilleri Another Montalbano, I’m striving to stay ahead of the TV series. #BookSky

#BooksOf2026 Book number 18 Antarctica by Claire Keegan A collection of short stories, amazing how so much can be conveyed in so few words. 👌🏻 #BookSky

#BooksOf2026 Book number 17 The Persian by David McCloskey Another great thriller, somewhat overtaken by current events. #BookSky

#BooksOf2026 Book number 16 My Search for Warren Harding by Robert Plunket #BookSky

#BoomsOf2026 Book number 15 Foster by Claire Keegan Another small, but beautifully formed novel. It was made into the equally fantastic film “The Quiet Girl”. Check either, or preferably both, out. #BookSky

BooksOf2026 Book number 14 Game Of Mirrors by Andrea Camilleri If in doubt, head to Sicily! #BookSky

#BooksOf2026 Book number 13 My Phantoms by Gwendoline Riley Another from the list of small but perfectly formed novels #BookSky

#BooksOf2026 Book number 12 Assembly by Natasha Brown I ‘discovered’ this in an article about the 10 best short contemporary novels. Natasha also wrote the excellent, Booker Longlisted ‘Universality’ #BookSky

I was privileged to see John Bramwell perform tonight at the Roisin Dubh in Galway. I have wanted to see him play for such a long time and he was brilliant. Great songs and stories. 😍👏 RIP Henry 🙏 @iamklootclub.bsky.social #johnbramwell

#BooksOf2026 Book number 11 Half His Age by @jennettemccurdy.bsky.social A ‘Best books of 2025’ recommendation, and great read, short, punchy & darkly comic chapters. #BookSky

Iain Banks’ “The Wasp Factory” is only 99p on kindle. One of the greatest writers to have come from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 amzn.eu/d/0094b24J

BooksOf2026 Book number 10 Vigil by George Saunders Nope, not for me I’m afraid. I have long been a fan of George Saunders, but this one did nothing for me. It’s seems that it is dividing the critics too #BookSky www.bbc.co.uk/culture/arti...

#BooksOf2026 Book number 8 Story Of The Eye by Georges Bataille #BookSky

One of my favourite books of 2025 is 99p on Kindle The Artist by Lucy Steeds amzn.eu/d/8Dl8Xv6

Simon Calder just bursting to say “Some Decorum In The Forum” on the news today. #TreviFountain

A very happy birthday to @adelemitch.bsky.social !

#BookOf2026 Book number 7 A short but perfectly formed novel Very enjoyable, despite its frequent (and unexpected) references to ingrown toenails. #BookSky

#BooksOf2026 Book number 7 Helm by Sarah Hall #BookSky

#BooksOf2026 Book number 6 The Devil Book by Asta Olivia Nordenhof #BookSky

#BooksOf2025 Book number 5 Fun And Games by John Patrick McHugh I loved this book, but I’m not sure I fully enjoyed being back in the mind of a 17 year old boy… #BookSky

Roxy in the #Traitors

BooksOf2026 Book number 4 Just One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi Taylor Something a bit different from my usual fare, a refreshing change #BookSky

The absolute joy when someone enjoys your book. Thank you so much for letting me know @bongbrummie.bsky.social If you like dark, family tales you, too, might like #TheLostThumb 💛📚💛 #books #booksky

#BooksOf2026 Book number 3 The Lost Thumb by @orlaowenwriting.bsky.social Another fabulous read from Orla Owen #BookSky

#BooksOf2026 Book number 2 You Are Here by David Nicholls Another great read, I blitzed through this in a day, by the pool. #BookSky

know, I know, times are tough and money is short but as we find ourselves increasingly in a world where stories are censored and the corporates buy up shelf space with their discounts. If you are able please do support Independent publishers. @northernfiction.bsky.social

#BooksOf2026 Book number 1 The Count Of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas I’m not going for big numbers this year, I’m going for some BIG novels instead. Thought I would start with a classic, ahead of watching the award winning French film. #BookSky

The live band just did a birthday shoutout for… Jimmy Riddle

Bought a pack of playing cards 🃏 Not sure the Joker card is wholly appropriate… 😂

#BooksOf2025 Book number 97 Angelica’s Smile by Andrea Camilleri When in doubt, read some Camilleri. Another Montalbano mystery, to help finish the year. #BookSky

#BooksOf2025 Book number 96 Jesus Christ Kinski by @benjaminmyers76.bsky.social Absolutely devoured this book, in the space of 24 hours. Another @strongwordsmag.bsky.social recommendation. 👌

Watching “Would I Lie To You” Christmas episode

#BooksOf2025 Book number 95 Flashlight by Susan Choi Another great book to end the year. One of @barackobama.bsky.social’s ‘Books of 2025’ #BookSky

Harper Collins uniting a divided nation at Christmas time

Banks rushing to tell me that their savings rates have dropped

Me, hearing the David Walliams news

#BooksOf2025 Book number 94 The Killer Question by @janicehallett.bsky.social Finishing the year with another fantastic book from Janice, I couldn’t put it down. Add it to your Christmas list. #BookSky

#BooksOf2025 Book number 93 The Names by @florenceknapp.bsky.social I’ve been waiting for this to become available at the library. 100% worth the wait, I’ve wizzed through it in a few days. #BookSky

#BooksOf2025 Book number 92 Brightly Shining by Ingvild Rishøi Simple, but emotionally packed novel about family & community at Christmas. This month’s service 95 recommendation. I wizzed through this in one sitting. #BookSky

#BooksOf2025 Book number 91 Moths by Rosalind Ashe Gothic horror story, set in 1970s Oxford #BookSky

#BooksOf2025 Book number 90 Nothing To See Here by Kevin Wilson Wit, warmth and twins that spontaneously combust, what more can you ask for in a novel? #booksky