What are you reading atm? I’m reading two novels (one is for my book club), and loving both: THE PHOENIX BALLROOM by Ruth Hogan and THE SONG OF ACHILLES by Madeline Miller.

Back when I started as an editor, email (rather than physical) submissions had become a thing but we still had to print them out to read… I became OBSESSED with finding the PERFECT manuscript bag.

I got my first job in publishing in 2002. Looking back now it seems incredible, but at the time agents still submitted physical manuscripts by post. And publishers read and then returned them by post (unless they made an offer on them, of course). Agents and publishers spent a FORTUNE on postage!

I’ve not been very active on here but have decided that’s got to change! I used to love bookish Twitter and really miss engaging with people there — so I’ve made a (very belated!) New Year’s resolution to visit blue sky more regularly…

Congratulations to you all, you have completed January. Please progress to Level 2.

Spot the dog…

That dark patch on my jeans? Yes, that’s epoxy glue. It is not meant to be on my jeans. It is… very solid.

I often wonder if those criticising the current Prime Minister remember any of the previous five.

All three of my orchids are flowering, at the same time. I think this might be the greatest achievement of my life.

What's the point of the state if it's not managing basic resources and industries. Railways, healthcare, power, water, post office and more should be publicly owned. In any sane system this wouldn't even be up for debate.

I have ALWAYS wanted a little armoured one…

I’ve been freelancing for just over a year now, and have completed my first ever tax return (ahead of deadline too!). It’s actually surprised me how much I’ve enjoyed freelancing; I thought I’d miss having both a routine and colleagues — but a couple of things have really helped…

I kept making M switch seats with me last night, because he claimed he couldn’t hear the strange noise I could. Turns out it was my tinnitus up to its old tricks again.

I often read the plaques on benches in the parks. They’re all poignant, of course, but some are particularly heart-breaking.

On my way into London, wearing the 12-y-o’s coat and boots. (If you’ve not met me and am imagining I’m particularly petite, I’m actually 5’10’’ and have size 7 feet…)

No, l did not 'reach out' to you, l sent you a fucking email.

I for one am absolutely ASTONISHED that privatising our public services in order to make shareholders rich didn't result in better, cheaper, more efficient public services.

I have just found out it is cardamom not cardamon and my mind has imploded.

Love this house for sale sign in a local estate agents…

I have a gorgeous print by Claire; am not at home atm so can’t post a picture of it but can attest to how beautiful her work is…

❤️

Look, you can have low taxation or you can have functioning public services. You can't have both. Lots of people, including the UK government, seem to have forgotten this fact. Taxation isn't theft. It's the foundation of society.

Dear iPhone, You are often very good at grouping together pictures of certain people and pets, but, no, none of these photos show my Jack Russell — although he was indeed mainly white with black spots…

Sometimes you have to read a tweet aloud before it makes sense…

Was in town earlier today and saw a sobbing child, wailing plaintively to her (I assume) mum, “I’ll never, never, NEVER be that brave.” The heartbreak…

As a lawyer I'm seeing a lot more redundancies in 2025. I can't stress this enough, if you are being made redundant - GET A FUCKING LAWYER. I keep hearing of people getting unfair consultations and being ripped off in their redundancy packages. We would have spotted them for you.

‘Narrative is a bit disjointed and it’s kind of a slow burn, but by the Qs I couldn’t put it down. Five stars.’ Loving this review!

Have just asked for these for Christmas!

Missing this beautiful boy still…

Was just telling my husband about the time I’d just started at Picador (2002) and I came in to work one morning to find Don DeLillo had left me a voicemail message. (I was BEYOND excited.) Husband: who’s Don DeLillo?

Remember remember the 5th of November, which is traditionally the day we put that guy Faulks on top of the Bonfire (of the Vanities) 🔥🎇 #BonfireNight #GuyFawkes

Books. No cookie preferences. No cookies. No GDPR. No pop ups. No bots. No floating videos. No AI. No ads. No trackers. No misinformation. No fascist techbros. No distracting animations. No paywalls. No influencers. How good are these things? Books are frickin awesome

A staycation is spending your holiday in your own home and visiting places. A vacation is staying away from home even if it is in the same country. I will die on this hill.

Said goodbye to the best boy yesterday.

For anyone in Bath tomorrow (Tues 14th) come along to Topping Books to hear me & @odavies9.bsky.social talk #Folklore www.toppingbooks.co.uk/events/bath/...

My favourite grasshopper fact: Grasshoppers first appeared on the planet 250 million years ago. Grass did not appear on the planet until 40 million years ago Imagine it: 210 million years, hopping around on any random surface you can find, waiting for the grass that will make you truly yourself.

The #BigDog had surgery on Wednesday and is now recovering. Apparently that means he gets most of the sofa…

Woodland Study IV, 21cm x 14.9cm, pen on paper. Giclée prints available at claireleach.com/shop. Last few remaining. Use code FREESHIPPING and the postage is on me.

The poem's relationship to its ostensible subject is not always straightforward

So, both dogs are wearing a cone of shame (one has a wound on his neck; the other’s had surgery today to remove a lump). Neither are very happy about it but the retriever, exhibiting the stubbornness for which the breed is known, is simply refusing to move until it’s removed.

Egg boxes don't get enough credit. Only a thin bit of cardboard and yet you hardly ever find a broken egg in one. Buy a pen online and it comes in a massive box wrapped in bubblewrap.

I’ve coined a new term: BYT (pronounced bit) Lit — novels about Bright Young Things who are all beautiful and brilliant and very VERY intense (and prone to brooding silences, dramatic exclamations and/or occasional acts of self sabotage)…

Am thinking of returning to X… Anyone else considered it?

The #BigDog still has a heavy head…

The dogs both pretended to be dead earlier…

Yesterday, M & I drove 35 miles to pick up a mirror that did not fit in our car. How was your weekend?

This has made me strangely happy.

Sound advice! (For obvious reasons, I particularly endorse #3…)

If you can remember to bring your phone charger, you can remember to bring sodding headphones, you selfish arse.