Happy winter solstice ☀️ 🌙

In these challenging times someone might need one of them: Childline: 0800 1111 Samaritans: 116 123 Domestic Violence Hotline: 0808 2000 247 Mind: 0300 123 3393 Age UK: 0800 169 6565 Alcoholics Anonymous : 0800 9177 650 Cruse Bereavement Care: 0808 808 1677 MH text support: 85258

Re: satsuma shortage. It is partially BREXIT’S FAULT.

Still looking for a special gift for the book lovers in your life? Donate on behalf of someone else to our #MagicOfBooks appeal and share the joy of reading with a child who needs it. You'll get a digital certificate to celebrate their gift🎁 https://bit.ly/4qoAwMy

This nation started going down the pan the minute “easy peelers” came into play.

One of my favourite things about Christmas is that it’s satsuma season - actual satsumas, indescribably more delicious than the hideously-branded “easy peelers” (sounds like a p0rn mag) and usually frustratingly hard to find. (Waitrose and Sainsbury’s have them at the moment.)

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I did a podcast. It’s called @islandofbrilliant.bsky.social. It’s all about children’s books. It’s hosted by @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social and @nadiashireen.bsky.social. I do say nice things about @davidashelton.bsky.social.

When I interviewed Spinal Tap and Marty DiBergi this summer, none of them broke character, for the whole hour. Except Rob Reiner, once, losing it when Michael McKean's David St Hubbins talked about minimalism. I didn't use this in the feature and hadn't published any audio, but this is joyful.

Reading about Rob Reiner & his wife Michele, I am heartsick. I think of this line from Stand By Me: “Two men got into an argument. One of them pulled a knife. Chris, who had always made the best peace, tried to break it up…” Rest in peace. Life is not fair, but we do the best that we can with it.

Should I read The Dark Tower books? I don’t like westerns. I do like Stephen King.

The remarkable end-papers for 1966’s Rupert Annual, by Alfred Bestall.

Lovely lovely snooker all week, on the free-to-air BBC. And you know who put snooker on our tellies, because he wanted to take full advantage of transmissions in colour, thus turning an obscure sport into must-watch TV? The brilliant controller of BBC2 in the late 60s, David Attenborough. 👑

Thanks for everyone who's bid on the #Creatives4Sudan auction so far. In amazing news, we're at 12k. We have TWO DAYS LEFT though. If everyone places lots of little bids, I think we could get to 15k easy. The money is going to Sudanese-run Emergency Response Rooms. 💗🇸🇩 app.galabid.com/creatives4su...

A dog’s paw print on a Roman clay tile 🐾 🐕 😍 About 2,000 years-ago, a dog made its mark for ‘pawsterity’ when it wandered across the wet tile laid out to dry before firing. From Richborough Roman fort 📷 by me #TilesonTuesday #Archaeology

Delighted to have had the chance to write about Beatle ‘historiography’ in @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/music/2025/n...

Just want to talk about Darjeeling Express all day…lovely lunch for @nadiashireen.bsky.social’s birthday

Is there a film called Wicked out in the cinemas?

Everything Is Possible, the critically acclaimed feature-length documentary telling the extraordinary story of Simple Minds, will air on BBC Two this Saturday, followed by a broadcast of the band’s 2016 concert at London’s Hackney Empire. Tune in at 10pm GMT or catch up on BBC iPlayer.

Do you like scary movies? With animals in? Have resurrected some prints. Signed, A3 and available from Fiveways Arts and Crafts, Brighton. Online here: fivewaysartsandcrafts.com/search?q=nad...

When my dad was dying in hospital, and apparently not bothered about it in the slightest, he told me I should write about it. I scoffed at the time. I didn't want to write about that. But after mulling over it for an age, I've just had a week off work, and got it all out there. Allllll of it.

The weekend is here!

Feels autumnal, doesn't it? What you need is my debut novel: cosy crime, set in a seaside town at this very time of year. They've got a lot of leads. But can they collar a killer? £1 off RRP at Guardian Bookshop, 80p off at Amazon. Every order/share/review helps! #TheDogwalkersDetectiveAgency

Do you like scary movies? With animals in? Have resurrected some prints. Signed, A3 and available from Fiveways Arts and Crafts, Brighton. Online here: fivewaysartsandcrafts.com/search?q=nad...

It’s funny how the people who are “to blame for everything” turn out to be people who: - you’re unlikely to have met - you’re unlikely to have spoken to - you’re very likely to misunderstand It’s almost like it’s more important that they fulfil those criteria than that they’re the problem.

This is my Lokifesto #KidsConf #UKkidlit #edusky lokibooks.com/lokifesto/

[me, a journalist who spends all day every day on a social media app where the discovery algorithm is personally controlled by its owner, captain birdseye] you know, a lot of people are talking about fish fingers, we should probably cover that

Last of a recent brilliant bundle of Puffin Post magazines. Part of my pleasure in collecting them is sharing them here & seeing others enjoy them too. Another glorious Jill McDonald illustration & a bright reminder that spring light always returns, as autumn dampens the air & lengthens the shadows

✨ THE BIG REVEAL ✨ We are excited to share with you our brilliant 2026 £1/€1.50 books! Children can choose their own book from 12 February 2026, FREE with a £1/€1.50 book token. 📚✨ Find out more on our website ➡️https://buff.ly/3VaLLAa #WBD26 #WorldBookDay #readforfun

Some years ago I decided to leave the real world and move permanently to Grimwood. I’m much happier here. We are currently voting for a new mayor.

The wonderful @emcarrollauthor.bsky.social joins us on the Island of Brilliant to chat about her fantastic new book, Dracula and Daughters! And she and @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social gang up on me about Marmite. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...

It's my publication day! Loki: A Bad God's Guide to Causing Chaos is out NOW. If you pop to your local indie you might just find a signed edition. And if you're quick? A free gift... Want a personalised edition? Go here! www.papercatbookshop.co.uk/products/lok... @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social

Could we please stop pretending that the flags being hung from streetlamps or painted on roundabouts are innocent expressions of patriotic pride? This is the far right marking out its territory. It uses these flags to intimidate its traditional victims and opponents. 🧵1/3

Since this is apparently a resigning matter, I’ll just leave this here… www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

This is vile. Local guy speaks to Sky News about the impact of asylum seekers protests. Watch what happens and share widely

At the end of our team meetings our Early Years team always read a picture book together. These are some of my read-alouds to the team, along with my most recent library borrow ‘What’s That Noise?’, which I’m excited to read. What great picture books would you recommend? #KidsBooksFriday #KidLitUK

There is a reason why white British racists seem to ignore the fact that the biggest contingent of rapists and pedophiles by far are white British men. It’s because they think it’s perfectly acceptable for white British men to rape and abuse women and girls. This has never been about women’s safety.

Watching Yellow Submarine, and I think the first time we see George might be the greatest introduction to any character in any film.

Search: how use social media as freelancer for self promotion without overwhelming sense of malaise/futlity

I will be at the book nook in Hove this Saturday, and I’ll sign things x Grimwood five is out and all booknookuk.com/events/

The news media is asking us daily to believe that certain people don't have the same right to live and work and see their children thrive as others, and also asking to worry about the feelings of a computer server, and these two things might just possibly be linked.

Super excited to receive the latest Grimwood in the post today. Everything @nadiashireen.bsky.social does is brilliant and I can’t wait to dive into book 5 of the series.

Awesome book mail today! Family Haddow can’t wait to get stuck into this one by @nadiashireen.bsky.social - we LOVE this series. Thank you so much for the copy, @kirstengrant.bsky.social 🙌🏾

Thanks for the reminder @janemunday.bsky.social. Every summer, I repost this article DROWNING DOES NOT LOOK LIKE DROWNING. To date, I know of FOUR kids who were saved after someone who'd clicked on the link learnt how to spot actual drowning. Take time to read and pass on. slate.com/technology/2...

Today is the start of #SouthAsianHeritageMonth which runs until 17th August in the U.K. & celebrates the rich cultures of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bhutan & The Maldives. Here are some #kidlit reading suggestions! (Titles & authors in alt) #kidlituk #ukkidlit

My mother’s review of The Salt Path movie feels like a neat summation of the whole debacle: “Beautiful scenery but mainly it’s just a lot of them huffing and puffing.”

Had a BRILLIANT time at the Festival of Brilliant today! From quiz fun with @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social @nadiashireen.bsky.social Adeola Sokunbi and quizmaster Geoff Bird to Escape Room adventures in the sun! Huge thanks to the brilliant team behind the festival and everyone who came along!