@scotlandchris1.bsky.social @portybelle.bsky.social I'd have a better accuracy score if I'd been able to spell the long words correctly first go... I played squaredle.com 12/28: 69/69 words (+2 bonus words) 🎯 In the top 14% by accuracy 🔥 Solve streak: 14

This comes up every year, esp pre-Harrogate. 1. Remember that where you see "clique" you may be looking at "friends". 2. Just talk to people (Qs are useful!), be friendly and interested in them - you maybe have a nice five minutes, you maybe make a friend for life (I have!). #BookSky 📚💙

😂 #BookSky 📚💙

Some of us are ahead of the Telegraph in our knowledge of life on Enceladus... @dougjohnstone.bsky.social @orendabooks.bsky.social #Sandy 🐙 #BookSky 📚💙

Sadness... 💕

Happy Hogswatch to all who celebrate. Ho! Ho! Ho!

Raven is very wise, take her advice! #BookSky 📚💙

Let's keep everyone company this year. I'll be around on christmas day with #joinin whether you need fun or a bit of support or a rant. No-one should feel alone on christmas day.

Buying books and reading books are two separate hobbies, this is perfectly normal behaviour... #BookSky 📚💙

I'm usually averse to promoting Amazon in any way, but this is outweighed by my belief that everyone should read this series! Only £1.99 for all these terrific books!!! You're welcome! @dougjohnstone.bsky.social @orendabooks.bsky.social amzn.eu/d/1EUNa3P

I've somehow never read Sleepyhead 😱 &have read Overkill but don't own it 😱 thanks to #BarterBooks for fixing that! @forumbooks.bsky.social #Alnwick furnished me with Jasper Forde (thx to my pal for the rec) and Edith&Kim (been wanting this since chairing CP at @bloodyscotland.bsky.social) #BookSky

Feeling alone at Christmas? Why not join an annual virtual party started by Sarah Millican on X but now here?! I’m doing my best to keep this tradition going. Use #JoinIn on Dec 25 if you need company or just want a chat. Like/Save this feed to see all the #JoinIn posts bsky.app/profile/did:...

Always a nice idea, imho.

Writers, this is good advice - and if you're mid-contract maybe chat with your agent/publisher about fixing it.

Thoughts and prayers? Australia prefers legislation, and I back that. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

New review over on the blog, if you care to click through 👇 #BookSky 📚💙

Something to bear in mind over the next couple of weeks...

Not quite as flexible and accommodating as Sandy then... @dougjohnstone.bsky.social 😁🐙 #BookSky 📚💙

The terrific second novel from @dougjohnstone.bsky.social is getting a rerelease with a gorgeous new cover and an introduction from @valmcdermid.bsky.social - get your pre-orders in now, folks! Click through to the blog post for more details and links... #BookSky 📚💙

In 1996, Australia tightened gun laws in the wake of the Port Arthur massacre, not long after the UK did due to Dunblane. Compare and contrast with the US. The US 2nd amendment doesn't say what most people will tell you it says.

If you're surprised by this, you really haven't been paying attention

#BookAdvent #Day14 Can't help thinking that this one went a little under the radar, but I thought #TheGirlInCellA was both clever and compelling. If you liked #AllTheColoursOfTheDark you'll love this! @vaseemkhanuk.bsky.social

I feel seen...

I wrote about meeting Budge, the @norwichcathedral.bsky.social cat, for this Guardian feature on travel discoveries of 2025. www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/...

@scotlandchris1.bsky.social @portybelle.bsky.social not as hard as yesterday! And one fat fingers error from perfect accuracy on the express too. I played squaredle.com 12/13: 55/55 words (+1 bonus word) 🎯 In the top 28% by accuracy 🔥 Solve streak: 64

I have a small stuffed penguin called Robson. My mum made him a smart wee scarf a couple of Christmases ago ("well, he looked a bit cold"). This year she found a Christmas card with him on...

Coming in early January—the latest book in the Dr Jack Cuthbert series. Paperback, ebook & audiobook available for pre-order now: Birlinn: birlinn.co.uk/product/the-... Amazon: www.amazon.co.uk/Shadows-Dust... Waterstones: www.waterstones.com/book/the-sha... Kobo: www.kobo.com/gb/en/audiob...

Somehow we've recorded 250 episodes - a milestone we never thought we'd reach! We've spoken to some amazing writers on the podcast, and today is no exception as we chat with the brilliant @joe-hill.bsky.social & hear all about King Sorrow! Watch now: youtu.be/-sSuhfB2Dzc Listen: linktr.ee/ukpageone

Thanks so much for all the support this year - we've had a brilliant time welcoming authors to #Hull. We return, 21st January, with the brilliant @tariqashkanani.bsky.social at @hulllibraries.bsky.social (Central and online) 📚

2025 promo for my Cesare Aldo historical thrillers: 13 podcasts 8 book festivals 4 bookshop events 3 invited speaker gigs 3 prize shortlists CARNIVAL OF LIES paperback drops January 1st, 2026. Ian Rankin says 'It's brilliant.' @panmacmillan.bsky.social @jennybrownagency.bsky.social

Read Like Nobody’s Watching- Raven’s November Reads - in which I praise, gush and vent my spleen... ravencrimereads.wordpress.com/2025/11/10/r...

America has officially jumped the shark

#BookReview #DarkHorse by Felix Francis Sid Halley returns... A young Irish jockey's fledgling career is given a huge boost when she wins a prestigious horse race at the Cheltenham Steeplechasing Festival. But all is not well in her life... Read: www.swirlandthread.com/dark-horse-f... #booksky

I have a certificate for 100wpm shorthand with 100% accuracy I've been a sub-editor all my career...

Oh, grab this one folks! History, crime and possibly the most intriguing murder method ever... #BookSky 📚💙

@scotlandchris1.bsky.social @portybelle.bsky.social Pleasingly speedy! I played squaredle.com 12/08: 28/28 words (+7 bonus words) 🎯 In the top 21% by accuracy 🔥 Solve streak: 59

There's some absolute belters from Scotland on the Magnum website (Google "Martin Parr Scotland"). Both beautiful (Gourock Lido with storm clouds above) and hilarious (a guy flat out on the ground a step from the door of a pub). A loss, but also a wonderful legacy.

Made tablet for Xmas gifting...

@scotlandchris1.bsky.social @portybelle.bsky.social so many words in such a small grid! I played squaredle.com 12/06: 42/42 words (+9 bonus words) 🎯 In the top 19% by accuracy 🔥 Solve streak: 57

Great piece by Dani. Without immigration, Scotland would be in an event worse economic position due to the death rate being higher than the birth rate - without young people working, who will pay the tax that pays the pensions, fund public services etc?

Some lovely editions of classic Christmas stories in here, among all the noir goodies, if you need a little something for someone (or be like me and buy them for yourself) #BookSky 📚💙

😂

I'm on track to read 130-140 books this year, but I am a hermit with minimal social life and read rather than watching TV a lot of the time. I don't think reading a lot is bad... It's not about how many books you read but how much you enjoy what you read! #BookSky 📚💙

New review! #Blackwater by #SarahSultoon (pub'd @orendabooks.bsky.social thx @annerandomthings.bsky.social) - "I put the book down and was left unsettled and uncertain ... It's a powerful, atmospheric story, let yourself sink into it" #BooksSky

The latest from us... open.substack.com/pub/fahrenhe...

@scotlandchris1.bsky.social @portybelle.bsky.social thought I was going to be terminally stuck at one point, but finally got the hints and it was fine then 😁 I played squaredle.com 12/04: 57/57 words (+4 bonus words) 🎯 In the top 11% by accuracy 🔥 Solve streak: 55

A terrific book - maybe an extract will show you why you should be reading it #BookSky 📚💙

Hull folk and music geeks should know this one, but if not Nick has a potted history for you 👇

Today I am thrilled to share my review of Blackwater by Sarah Sultoon, the brand new Jonny Murphy thriller. @sarahsultoon @orendabooks @randomthingstours #bookthreads #books #bookstagram #booksky #bookreview #blackwater #teamorenda

It seems @dougjohnstone.bsky.social was predicting the near future when he wrote about the Skelfs offering this... #BookSky 📚💙