Just started reading this, I think.

Great work by @faberbooks.bsky.social getting this translated and published - Trotzig’s Queen. A quite remarkable novel with the family resemblance to Out Stealing Horses in its reticence and harsh emotions. Brilliant and brutal.

Spent the week immersed in this phenomenal book. Kim Ghattas has put together a guide for the uninformed on the fault lines, history, machinations and murderous ambitions behind Middle Eastern politics. It feels even more essential by the day

As a vegetarian can I suggest that restaurants don’t bother trying to replace the meat with some crappy Wellington or nut based abomination in a Sunday roast. Just give us extra roast potatoes, like lots and we’ll be happy.

Auditory is my new highlight of the week This instalment will chime with those of us who were deeply unsettled by the gleeful reporting of Reading 94 in the music press at the time. And anything that is done to reclaim YMG from obscurity is fine by me. Thanks Andy.

‘When a cat voluntarily disappears from home’, Muriel Spark once said, ‘it’s merely because the whim has seized it to look for something less boring elsewhere’. That was Spark, in her life and in her work: untethered, aloof, and forever seeking a life less ordinary. 🐈‍⬛ Out 9th April! (link in bio…)

I am a rock bottom riser/and I owe it all to you Sometimes all I want to do is listen to Bill Callahan like forever.

This is a fine take on biography. Christofi crafting Dostoyevsky’s life out of Fydor’s own words. Utterly readable and convincing. He’s also on this giving good value with @iammilliam.bsky.social , John and Arifa Akbar www.backlisted.fm/episodes/150...

Bookpost is the best post. @littletollerbooks.bsky.social continuing to do God’s work with this lovely reissue of Thomas’ The Icknield Way with a gorgeous Spencer Gore cover.

Sometimes as a teacher you mark something that makes you want to applaud the child for genuinely showing you something you’ve never seen before.

I think I may love @iammilliam.bsky.social Auditory even more than his Inventory. Today I was transported back to 1985 and the Hammersmith Palais where I had my brain shredded by the Cramps with my good friends Jon and Mike. We still talk about that gig. Man, Andy has good taste. Thank you.

What I’ve read so far this year. Thanks to all the writers, publishers and enthusiasts, including @lesfugitivespress.bsky.social @stuhennigan.bsky.social @iammilliam.bsky.social @conduitbooks.bsky.social @smwwriting.bsky.social @judecook.bsky.social @pippayork.bsky.social @backlisted.bsky.social

“Small presses who can’t afford big advances get gazumped by publishers who then do nothing to promote those books.” Good interview with Neil Griffiths - founder of Weatherglass Books and the Queen Mary small press fiction prize (né the Republic of Consciousness Prize).

Have faith in wordless knowledge Well, I can tell you about the river Or we could just get in Bill Callahan

You know sometimes you just need to remind yourself just how enjoyable it is to listen to Bob just do Bob stuff. I maintain he’s one of the best rhyming poets of the 20/21 Century. Sublime.

If all the Bob Dylan ‘official bootleg’ sets that have been put together, the one I return to most often is Tell Tale Signs, and in particular, an absolutely barnstorming High Water (for Charley Patton)

Re-reading Jean Rhys. Every page studded with these kind of moments.

Been looking forward to seeing this - there was a period of time where every time KPunk posted it was a vital dispatch from the frontline.

Happy publication day to @stuhennigan.bsky.social and @ortacpress.bsky.social #GetKeshed

Particularly enjoyed @iammilliam.bsky.social latest Inventory - it’s a manifesto for caring about things and shouting loudly about the importance of art and music and culture and all those artefacts they make us tick. Art may not make anything happen but makes us us.

#nowplaying treated myself to a copy of this as I’d only ever had an early cd. Sounds as marvellous as you’d expect. I walk across the rooftops On graduation day To look for independence, yeah I am in love, I am in love with you I am in love, I am in love with you

Thinking about what the Reform party are doing to the Tories reminds me of these critters: Parasitoid Wasp Larvae The larvae feed on the caterpillar's bodily fluids and fat bodies, and when mature, they eat their way out, often leaving behind a largely hollowed-out, paralyzed, or dead shell.

London event for Keshed with @stuhennigan.bsky.social and @judecook.bsky.social at the brilliant Bard Books by Victoria Park. March 12th. This’ll be a good one - get your tickets before they go!

More of this please

Come on London show Stu some love and #GetKeshed

As always an absolute polymathic blast of a dispatch from Miller Towers. But also a very lovely personal reminder of my good friend Jon who introduced me to this mad delight of a record (and many many others) when we were young and easy under the apple boughs.

And come on - look at that cover! They don’t make them like that anymore.

Came across ‘cafard’ in a Jean Rhys story - not a word I was familiar with. A great word for feeling low/miserable/depressed especially as it’s also the word for a cockroach in French.

2/2 and then the Y12 girl who said out of nowhere that I “gave Fantastic Mr Fox aura” and I took it, and she meant it, as a compliment. I just need to remember that stuff and not the nonsense.

I had a heavy heart packing my bag for the start of another school week. It was tough going back - relentless in fact. Pressure everywhere. But then I remembered the ex students who came in for their certificates and were so excited to tell me what they’re now doing in their lives. 1/2

Can I just say I really miss Neil Kulkarni.

My wife can’t quite believe it - actually did a minor cull of the bookshelves - just under 100 books on their way to the local charity shops.

#nowplaying the third solo Sylvian album with the gorgeous Let the Happiness In nestling on side two. No1 in heaven, as someone once said (guilty of stealing every thought I own, as someone else said.)

Dec reading. Thanks to @stuhennigan.bsky.social @ortacpress.bsky.social @iammilliam.bsky.social @lesfugitivespress.bsky.social @jonathancape.bsky.social @scratchbooks.bsky.social @judecook.bsky.social @faberbooks.bsky.social @backlisted.bsky.social @burningshed.com @thamesandhudson.bsky.social

Tiny Tim who did not dye, let his hair go grey.

Took a break from our Christmas as I knew there was a new Inventory. As I now wipe a tear from my eye, thank you Andy! The best I can do is repeat the ISB wish to you too: May the long-time sun shine upon you All love surround you And the pure light within you Guide you all the way on.

#nowplaying from 1986 a Becker/Fagen/Katz side project which I’ve continued to love - Magic Smile is SD sung by a sultry female jazz singer rather than Don’s cynical sneer.

An early Christmas gift from Andy. The writing project of the year, constantly illuminating, genuinely funny, often moving and a treasure trove of musical gems, some totally new to me whilst others are re-polished reminders of brilliance forgotten. Take the rest of the year off young Master Miller.

#nowplaying a constant companion since 1989. It’s got a few pops and crackles over the years but it’s still a pop vision prosecuted with precision.

Can I just say that the government announcing another thing teachers have to do on the penultimate day of the hardest term of the academic year is not going to go down well. Charged with fixing society’s ills as if they start at the school gates. Beginning to feel like the mule in buckaroo.

Finally something to celebrate. We’ll have to dismantle Brexit brick by brick.

I love a proper boozer. I don’t think I’ve been quite so content in weeks.

A bit early ducked into a pub on Roman Rd. Guinness £4:30 a pint. As I walked in a bloke said to another “wash your hands you c***!” Apros po of nothink as they say round here. It reminds me of my Uncles Del and Richie, Hammers both. I might not leave especially if they stick the darts on

Stepping out of Mile End tube and I was reminded of this minor Pulp classic that I haven’t thought about for years youtu.be/MEaKNNboFiE?...

Of all the WN songs I love, I probably love this one the most. youtu.be/TVwkS6AcszY?...

Treated myself to this beauty - Sylvian at his finest

Anyone checked in on @danc.bsky.social what a week for Leeds.

Couldn’t be happier to see this finally arrive today. Big yrself up @stuhennigan.bsky.social It’s a beautiful beast.

November reading. Thanks to: @judecook.bsky.social @nyrb-imprints.bsky.social @versobooks.bsky.social Alma Classics Stephanie la Cava @grantabooks.bsky.social @jonathancape.bsky.social @benpester.bsky.social @stuhennigan.bsky.social @backlisted.bsky.social