James Joyce Casuals (a).

Teenage me would be reeling at the thought of the Bad Seeds being played on Saturday night telly. #strictly

They’ve got to tour this, shurely? Made to play live.

A film you've seen more than seven times with a gif.

Definitely worth it!

Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson Puts forward a new, “liberal” (in the US politics sense) vision where technological advances, economic growth and sustainability work together not against each other. Convincing, albeit nothing you won’t have heard from Klein’s podcasts etc. #BookSky

Mike Joyce on Radio 6 just now - seems like the soundest of lads.

Vive le France 🇫🇷

Where do I sign the petition for these two to have a spin-off series?

Bradley Whitford is an absolute delight as Allison Janney’s husband in The Diplomat.

The Land in Winter by Andrew Miller Set in the winter of 1962, in a Britain still shabby and shaken by the war. Redolent of the time - damp duffle coats, two-bar fires and endless cigarettes - and populated by vividly drawn characters. Just the right amount of weird too. Very good. #BookSky

I am, once again, asking you to consider how much better the end of the Breakfast Club would be if John Hughes had picked Unsatisfied by the Replacements instead of Simple Minds. youtu.be/l32VTUsTCqI?...

The types of food people can bring on trains. Should be limited to food bought within the station or standard packed lunch items. Ie, no pizzas in massive cardboard boxes, no foil trays of curry etc.

Yes, it’s Friday afternoon and we have once more turned to Four Tet’s Spotify playlist. *Middle-aged man bobs head* spotify.link/MEo3P7PzxXb

It’s #NationalAdoptionWeek in the UK. As a happily adopted person, adoption is a theme I keep coming back to in my stories. I’m fascinated by motherhood and what constitutes family. #TheDaughterSheGaveAway amzn.eu/d/i4S9BS7 @boldwoodbooks.bsky.social

Yes, yes I know I keep banging on about my fucking book! However, if you want one repost this and I’ll do a random winner pick thing by the end of the week because I’m great like that. ♥️📚 #amindofmyown

Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Best book I’ve read this year (so far). A reviewer called it a feminist War and Peace, and I assumed that was partly because of its length. But it really is about the violence women face, and the ceasefires, treaties and resolutions which follow. #BookSky

We’re all listening to this aye?

Lovely read on a very Heaney morning - autumnal, light shifting with the wind. www.thetimes.com/article/619b...

I’d love to see you this Saturday between 1.30 and 3.30pm when I’ll be signing copies of #TheWomanInWard9 at @waterstones.bsky.social in Bromley 📚💙

That Ekitike is some lad. Booked for hoying the ball away, scores (probably) the winning goal, gets second yellow for taking his shirt off. Tremendous.

2024 by Josh Dawsey, Tyler Pager and Isaac Arnsdorf Frame by frame account of a slow motion car crash for the Democrats. The authors have spoken to many of the players on both sides and delivered a comprehensive picture. Occasionally lacks for a variety in tone or pacing but does a job. #BookSky

If it’s Friday afternoon, it must be Four Tet’s Spotify playlist: open.spotify.com/playlist/2uz... Cc @chriscondron.bsky.social

Loved this interview with Warren Ellis interview (about 30 mins in). So interesting on music and the creative process. Remain jealous in my bones of anyone who can summon a tune. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/k...

Spook Street by Mick Herron In a pattern of reading these after watching the adaptation on telly but before watching the next one. What I can tell you? Masterful story telling, the grimy face of London, spies and intrigue…. If not already, get involved. #BookSky

“Seeing Hatton hit so hard gave me my most vivid insight into how seriously dangerous yet dramatically thrilling boxing was in stark closeup.” The only person I really wanted to read on Hatton.

Sake Rangers. youtu.be/M6o1SEj02t0?...

It is - as always - absolutely fine not to have an opinion.

Happy Saint Etienne day to all who celebrate. “Don’t it make you glad to be alive?” Aye it does, @rockingbob.bsky.social Hats off 🎩

The Names by Florence Knapp Variation on the sliding doors idea in which the narrative splits three ways, depending on which of three names a mother chooses for her son. The thread running through all three is domestic violence, and the whole adds up to a compelling and moving story. #BookSky

Don’t think I’ve enjoyed a transfer deadline day as much this side of the advent of social media.

“Change a memory, make it 4/3 Visualise what you want to be In your ear sings Paul Westerberg He says: ‘I’m in love What's that song?’” Big 👌

After (mibbes) the worst performance I’ve ever seen from my own club, Grimsby reminding me what tremendous larks football can be.

Tremendous night of European football.

Two days at a university reunion and some very 90s behaviour… thank the Lord for bank holidays.

Operation Chiffon by Peter Taylor Well-told account of the work done by MI5 and MI6 agents to maintain engagement with the IRA throughout the Troubles, laying the path to the Good Friday Agreement. Brilliant long-form journalism. #BookSky

Tremendous self-own from the Times this morning as their hilarious anecdotes come from writers who exclusively went to Oxford or Cambridge. Oh, and Durham, bastion of social inclusion.

🔸 last book you read: The Rest of Our Lives - Ben Markovits 🔸 your current read: James - Percival Everett, Operation Chiffon - Peter Taylor 🔸 last book added to your tbr: Scaffolding - Lauren Elkin 🔸 next read: Electric Spark - Frances Wilson quote with yours! #booksky 📚💙

Very interesting. Easy to be cynical about Bloom and Hearts - he’s hardly the first person to fancy their chances of disrupting Scottish football. But Bloom might be the first with a very credible track record of having done similar.

This Rangers team is a nightmare from which I am trying to awake. Just the same horrors for four years.

I’ve got your summer reading covered, #booksky 📚💙 Emotional reads with heartbreaking dilemmas - Lisa Timoney family dramas. 💔 Dark psychological suspense with a killer twist - Naomi Williams thrillers. 🩸 A hug in book form- Kate Storey uplifting books about books. ❤️

The Rest of our Lives by Ben Markovits A genre - middle-class, middle-aged Americans have mid-life crisis - for which I seem to have developed a habit. Beautiful book - 50-something man takes his youngest to university and then… just keeps driving. Short and with not a word wasted. #BookSky

Obsessed with gannets.

I mean my enjoyment is slightly complicated by the manager’s persistence with the crew neck and suit combo.

Uncomplicated enjoyment watching my team this evening. Didn’t see that coming.

Long Island by Colm Tóibín Gently moving book about the complications and compromises of middle age, the revival of old friendships and the ache of old feelings. #BookSky

Oh aye.