Ringmer review A reader writes Michelle Paver: Rainforest A journey into the jungle, and into somebody's mind. Captivating.

Ringmer review A reader writes S. F. Williamson: A Language of Dragons 1923 London. Vivien is considering how best to use her facility for languages, including the various dragon tongues. As war beckons, she has to become a codebreaker.... at Bletchley Park.

Outside of SAFE, there will be a 35% cap on the value of UK-supplied components to any SAFE-funded project. Not only will this hold back the UK defence industry, but it could also limit crucial interoperability and efficiencies that joint defence initiatives require.

A cruel penalty’: disabled people face lower benefit payments if conditions not deemed lifelong Forthcoming rules mean debilitating conditions may not meet strict ‘severe and lifelong’ criteria, say charities www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Reform and the Conservatives are happy to cheer on Trump’s illegal Iran war that's hurting our economy, sending inflation soaring and deepening the cost of living crisis.

Ringmer review A reader writes Gregory Maguire: Wicked I nearly didn't start reading because of the Hollywood film poster on the front. Glad I did; it's very well written, seriously dark, and a brilliant exploration of good and evil, perceptions and relationships.

It's my birthday!!!!!! And you will make me very happy if you buy my book, Nanotales. I am selling it to raise funds for my local hospice, St Peter and St James. Buy from here: ko-fi.com/s/19f8a3feeb (UK only, I'm afraid. Overseas, email me at [email protected] and I'll see what I can do.)

"a story of psychoanalysis, neurotic conflict and super-weird sex stuff." That is absolutely a challenge to the fantasy novelist inside me.

“If you cannot be free, be as free as you can.” Emerson

Yesssssss! Preferably our shelf.

I don't know who needs to hear this, but one day, you will pull a loose book from a bookshelf and that hidden door will finally open for you.

We care about the people we serve, the communities we live in and the country we love. Today I launched our local election campaign with our amazing activists. Together we’re standing up for our local communities and against the politics of division. 🔸

The Government has agreed to incorporate @MaxWilkinson.bsky.social's Sunshine Bill into their Future Homes Standard. All new homes from 2028 will come with solar panels. This will reduce bills for owners, reduce pressure on the energy grid and fight climate change. It’s a Lib Dem win-win-win.

To ask: "When will people realize the Russia-Ukraine war is bad and seek peace?" is to pose a meaningless question that can have no answer. The question to ask is: "When will Russians realize it is wrong to invade Ukraine?" It has a clear answer: when Russia is totally defeated.

"mean person with a dark heart, verbal diarrhoea and no impulse control" - nails it.

"This motion contains statements that are prejudicial, discriminatory. It is an abuse of this council. We will not lend legitimacy to it and we will leave" Lib Dems, Labour, Green and Cons all walked out. It wasn't easy but it was right.

If I think of my formative influences one is the many hours I spent in the school library, when aged 12, reading through complete fiction of Orwell and Evelyn Waugh and a smattering of Graham Greene and Woodhouse. My selection principle was to choose the Penguin books.

We are reading Wicked. Gregory Maguire has a wonderful turn of phrase. "a community of bees, at their work of chamber music and honey".

Lib Dem foreign affairs spox Calum Miller: decision “reminds us all of the disaster of Iraq and shows how we’re being drawn further and further down Trump’s slippery slope.” Says Parliament “must” vote on the “terms of the agreement with the US for their use of UK bases.”

What, again?

This is brilliant news if - as I hope - it actually happens. It's unjust that researchers, academics, reporters, activists and everyone has to pay through the nose to find out who owns England, esp. as a) the Land Registry recently hiked their fees b) Companies House ownership data is free.

Nor does the US but it hasn’t stopped them

Brilliant choice by the Guardian's picture editor. The look that officer is giving Trump. "Oh yes, got a real wrong un here. Can tell just by looking at him." www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

"...his property company paid nothing in corporation tax on its multimillion-pound profits for most of 2018 to 2021." It's incredibly clear who Reform UK really fight for and it's not the British people.

Ringmer review A reader writes Shelby Mahurin: Serpent and Dove Witch and witch hunter are forced into an unlikely marriage (quite plausibly). Their story is told alternately from her and his viewpoints and makes for spell binding reading.

Jonathan Dimbleby is urging the public to sign Sophie’s petition. It calls on the government to act as unelected Lords block the assisted dying Bill backed by MPs and the public.

Ed Miliband must step in and bar Tesla from holding an energy licence. Elon Musk is a threat to our national security and clearly not a fit person to operate in our energy industry. We can’t have the lights go out because he’s having a strop on X.

Ringmer review A reader writes Kayte Nunn: The Silk House Very absorbing story, appealingly told

And so we write to brilliant postgraduate students from Sudan, withdrawing the offers and scholarships they won in open competition with the best in the world. A sad day for the University of Oxford.

Disappointed to see Labour MPs vote down @libdems.org.uk proposals to cap the cost of branded school uniform. We want to put ££ back into parents' pockets and give schools freedom to set their own uniform policy. The Government's approach risks putting up uniform prices.

A state visit from our King would be seen as yet another huge diplomatic coup for President Trump, so it should not be given to someone who repeatedly insults and damages our country.

The following exchange has just taken place in my house. I take no responsibility for it.* [A] Tea at eight o'clock. [A] Now I have indigestion. <long pause> [A] because I ate a clock. <pause> [B] you must be having a bad time. [B] probably quite alarming. *well, only a little.

If by some extraordinary otherworldly miracle we won the Champions league this season, then next season we could be playing in the Championship and the Champions League. #COYS

* Both occurred this week, in the month in which I will mark my 6th year of #LongCOVID. Please stop #COVID #Reinfections at source: wear a mask ( #N95), open a window ( #Ventilation), run a #HEPA ( #Filtration), monitor #IAQ with a #CO2 tracker, & get vaccinated.

#LongCOVID is when, suddenly - ▶️ You can't remember if Sybil is spelled Syble, Sybel, or Sybal: you've lived in a street of this name for 7 years, & you're a writer, spelling is one of your strengths. ▶️ Your morning coffee tastes of chicken: you love coffee, have been vegetarian for decades.

We looked up a book about druidry on eBay. The first book listed under "Explore related items" was "Principles of Engineering Thermodynamics". Has eBay identified a link to a whole new understanding of science? And which should we buy for the library?

Ringmer review A reader writes Lesley Thomson; The Detective's Secret Brilliantly twisty. A lovely read.

@stephenkb.bsky.social pointing out a fundamental truth about the recent history of UK politics: "One reason why the country is in such a mess is that we are living in denial about the challenges we face. Every time politicians avoid saying exactly what those are is a missed opportunity."

Thinking about this quote from Persepolis creator Marjane Satrapi again.

There's been discourse on Long Covid on this site the past few days. I think some people are thoroughly underestimating how hellish chronic illness can make you feel, even if you aren't at an immediate risk of dying.

Pleased to talk to @theguardian.com about the call from the @libdems.org.uk and me for the Government to move at speed to delay the rollout of new border controls that could result in British dual nationals being blocked from entering the country.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

Ringmer review Emily Tesh: The Incandescent Brilliant. Starts with the everyday mundane banality of a contemporary school teacher - schedules, lesson plans, risk assessments, then adds a layer of magic, demons and firebirds. Risk assessment takes on a whole new meaning. It's also a love story.

Getting shown up in the arena of elite impunity by *the British monarchy* is an incredible “America at 250!” achievement

Say her name. Virgina Giuffre. We’ve lost too many, feminists must stay laser focused to prevent even more. #VirginaGiuffre

If only she were here to see this day….

Exactly 👇

Not surprising Farage hasn't bothered to announce a health spokesperson - his entire team is populated by politicians who broke the NHS. They've also forgotten about a foreign affairs spokesperson, but I guess they will take their orders straight from Trump's White House anyway.

Sussex's election rollercoaster - January 2025: government announce county council elections are being cancelled as new unitary councils and a mayor are being set up for Sussex - mayor election will be may 2026, unitary council elections may 2027 and no more county council elections

Ringmer review A reader writes Rebecca Yarros: Onyx Storm The third of the Empyrean series. A tale of peril and bravery impeccably told. The best part is still the dry wit of the dragons as they bond with their inferior human riders.