Binged the doc series ABANDONED (2026). Strong recommend. A mystery about why 3 kids were abandoned at a train station in the 1980s As much as anything it’s a celebration of the irrepressible investigative itch of everyday people Also nice to see Giles Tremlett in it. Love his book Ghosts of Spain

Back in 2024, I celebrated July 4th by giving a talk on circadian novels (taking place within a 24-hour period or a portion thereof). This article surveys over a dozen lesser-known circadian novels. neglectedbooks.com/?...

When I moved from the midlands to the north, the locals knew I was an outsider. “Cob Muncher” scrawled on my car, crumbs as a warning put through the letterbox. Things have gotten better but I still shudder when I hear the sound of a margarine tub opening

HISTORIC TOILET ALERT 🚽 Why is this Victorian toilet at Harrogate Baths so interesting? 1. Firstly, the fact it’s a surviving “crapper”, a classic case of nominative determinism. Plumber Thomas Crapper invented the ballcock and his toilets were everywhere, but the word predates him Secondly… 1/2

Now reading - Little Caesar (1929) by W.R. Burnett I was blown away reading Burnett’s Asphalt Jungle (1949) earlier this year, so I can’t wait to dig into this one, his hugely influential debut Trying not to think about the film too much as I read it That No Exit cover design too 🤌 #booksky

Love this 1956 Georges Simenon photo An unusually unproductive year for the guy who wrote 400 novels (he published only one), prob because he’d just returned to Europe after a decade living in America and was relieved to be back doing what he loved - drinking and smoking in brasseries 🤌 #booksky

Love this 1956 Georges Simenon photo An unusually unproductive year for the guy who wrote 400 novels (he published only one), prob because he’d just returned to Europe after a decade living in America and was relieved to be back doing what he loved - drinking and smoking in brasseries 🤌 #booksky

An underrated Greene adaptation. A bleak suspenser with hints of Highsmith and a sweaty unlikeable Steiger playing to his strengths. There’s also something about the fatalism of it all and the doomed border crossing that reminds you of Greene’s influence on Le Carre 🤷‍♂️ #filmsky

A night listening to alternating Richard Thompson originals and covers is not a night wasted Case in point - Maddy Prior’s version of The Great Valerio 🤌

Now reading - Little Caesar (1929) by W.R. Burnett I was blown away reading Burnett’s Asphalt Jungle (1949) earlier this year, so I can’t wait to dig into this one, his hugely influential debut Trying not to think about the film too much as I read it That No Exit cover design too 🤌 #booksky

A night listening to alternating Richard Thompson originals and covers is not a night wasted Case in point - Maddy Prior’s version of The Great Valerio 🤌

An underrated Greene adaptation. A bleak suspenser with hints of Highsmith and a sweaty unlikeable Steiger playing to his strengths. There’s also something about the fatalism of it all and the doomed border crossing that reminds you of Greene’s influence on Le Carre 🤷‍♂️ #filmsky

Impeccable lists of underrated horror films👇 Some I’d add: Variola Vera (1982) The Ear (1970) Blood & Roses (1960) Sauna (2008) Dark Waters (1993) Sole Survivor (1983) Angst (1983) Grapes of Death (1978) Deathdream (1974) House W/ Laughing Windows (1976) Death Watch (1980) DemonSeed (1977) #filmsky

No one could have accused Foucault of being a square!

No one could have accused Foucault of being a square!

Impeccable lists of underrated horror films👇 Some I’d add: Variola Vera (1982) The Ear (1970) Blood & Roses (1960) Sauna (2008) Dark Waters (1993) Sole Survivor (1983) Angst (1983) Grapes of Death (1978) Deathdream (1974) House W/ Laughing Windows (1976) Death Watch (1980) DemonSeed (1977) #filmsky

I was today old when I found out Saddam Hussein made a Hollywood-style epic starring Oliver Reed that had a similar budget to Return Of The Jedi. I promise you'll want to read this - www.bbc.co.uk/culture/arti...

Syd wandering, barely recognisable, into the studio: "It doesn't need to be 9 parts long Rog" Waters: "so sad, a great mind just gone"

Camorra (2018) Stumbled on this on Prime and glad I did. A fairly loose documentary essay of the worst years of Camorra’s influence over Naples, all told through fascinating archive footage with minimal narration. Very Adam Curtis, whether a conscious influence or not. 70 minutes too… 1/3 #filmsky

Camorra (2018) Stumbled on this on Prime and glad I did. A fairly loose documentary essay of the worst years of Camorra’s influence over Naples, all told through fascinating archive footage with minimal narration. Very Adam Curtis, whether a conscious influence or not. 70 minutes too… 1/3 #filmsky

Stunning etchings by Leeds born artist Norman Ackroyd. Exhibition of his work is on in Bath. #art #Yorkshire www.victoriagal.org.uk/event/norman...

Hotel I’m staying in going for jazz age glamour decor, but coming off all Overlook

“...perfect for lovers of the English eerie, urban strangeness and the liminal spaces that exist in our towns and cities...” www.amazon.co.uk/gp/customer-...

Hotel I’m staying in going for jazz age glamour decor, but coming off all Overlook

Got a jolt when this photo I’d saved came up on my phone memories - Jim Broadbent and his absolutely insane nightmare fuel collection of handmade dolls

Sad to see a band break up

The Ale Wagon, Leicester ✅ Wood heavy 1930s interior ✅ Well kept real ale ✅ Grumpy locals Absolutely top tier, basically

The Ale Wagon, Leicester ✅ Wood heavy 1930s interior ✅ Well kept real ale ✅ Grumpy locals Absolutely top tier, basically

Not a song but a band named after a living person - Jodie Foster’s Army (JFA)

He might be our first indie-PM*, but what’s his favourite 80s folk horror film? *contested

Perfect opening sentence to a Ray Bradbury short story.

Got a jolt when this photo I’d saved came up on my phone memories - Jim Broadbent and his absolutely insane nightmare fuel collection of handmade dolls

The medieval stonemason who made this font had other things on their mind 😳 #medievalsky

If AI reply-bots are now being rolled out to support the dubious claim that Eyes of Fire is David Cameron’s favourite film, we’re cooked

As below, I’m currently reading American Heiress: The Kidnapping, Crimes and Trial of Patty Hearst (2016) by Jeffrey Toobin I recall this got some lukewarm reviews at the time, especially for its dry tone But so far I actually like the quite deadpan delivery of such a wild story… #booksky

As below, I’m currently reading American Heiress: The Kidnapping, Crimes and Trial of Patty Hearst (2016) by Jeffrey Toobin I recall this got some lukewarm reviews at the time, especially for its dry tone But so far I actually like the quite deadpan delivery of such a wild story… #booksky

If AI reply-bots are now being rolled out to support the dubious claim that Eyes of Fire is David Cameron’s favourite film, we’re cooked

The medieval stonemason who made this font had other things on their mind 😳 #medievalsky

Finally catching up with the 21st century by going glamping…

“Just because we can doesn't mean we should”

My bleak week: The Boys (1998) Wake in Fright (1971) Variola Vera (1982) Just A Boys Game (1979) Angst (1983) The Incident (1967) Christiane F. (1981) The Cremator (1969) Der Fan (1982) Nothing But A Man (1964) They Shoot Horses Don’t They (1969) The Ear (1970) Pumpkin Eater (1964) #filmsky

“Just because we can doesn't mean we should”

Finally catching up with the 21st century by going glamping…

I thought Continuity Blair did all those Georgian landscape gardens?

If you gaze long enough at Bluesky, Bluesky will gaze back at you

If you gaze long enough at Bluesky, Bluesky will gaze back at you