It's clearly time for them to move

Discovering Frog and Toad when living in the US with small children was a joy… a lot of joy as like all children’s books that work, they are read over and over.

Just read a book written & set in 1980s after reading a recently published book set in 1980s. I found the 80s flavour heavy handed/over-explained in the 2026 book (& even more so in comparison). Because I remember the 80s? Have you read ‘historical’ fiction set during your life? How did you find it?

Loved loved loved #ProjectHailMary

This is an incredible story - so much here, but the impacts of dislocation and connection run through

After seeing a message on here from @yearsofreading.bsky.social and realising I'd only listed current reads when I'd caught @bigbeardybooks.bsky.social Monday call outs, I thought I'd post what I've read so far this year over the next few days. If you've read them, would love to know your thoughts

What a treat to go out for a lunchtime wander without a coat and to be able to turn your face to the sun.

I know I keep banging on about my designs but it’s not easy being a small business at the moment. Take a look at my wares and please repost. gailmyerscough.co.uk Thanks!

My two sons (15 and 17) stopped reading fiction once we stopped reading it to them. The older one reads factual info online linked to his interest in history, heritage transport. The younger one doesn't even read the jokes I send him. A big factor is the unsuitable literature available for them.

So good

Just 1 (one) spot left on our writing workshop this coming Saturday! Join me and brilliant short fiction writer @devaneemily.bsky.social for an inspiring, supportive morning devoted to you, your writing, and your 'voice' - in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/write-away...

Someone on the tube was reading a book I’d just finished and longed to discuss - was so tempted to ask them what they thought of it, but didn’t… do you strike up conversations with strangers about the books they’re reading? 📚 💙

Has anyone seen The Beast In Me on Netflix?? If not it’s a hard recommend from me. Thought it was great.

Am still having a daily dunk - really intrigued by how the ability to control the initial panic changes over time

So I went with Eurotrash by Christian Kracht which I’m about half way through and enjoying so far. The style is so acerbic but really engaging. Has anyone else read it?? 💙📚 #booksky #bookrecommendations

In a move that’s totally out of character, I’ve had an ice bath every day since Dec 26. It’s outside, a bit like a bin, filled with freezing water - and due to the temperatures - a LOT of ice. I genuinely can’t believe how much I want to get in and how into it I am given I really dislike the cold!!🥶

This rings so true for me - including taking up arts that you’re not ‘good’ at - and enjoying them for the process. I’d love to try pottery at some point. What are your creative goals for 2026 #booksky? 💙📚 #newyear #creative #arts

I’m looking for recommendations of books with an Alpine/mountain/snow type theme 📚 💙 #bookrecommendations #snowbooks #winterbooks #mountainbooks

'Tis the season - wreath making is an annual festive crafting activity that I look forward to and love doing. So much fun and just so lovely to look at every time I come home (or put the bins out). #festivecrafts #christmas

Calling all small charities! The Boring Fund is now open for applications. It offers small (£200) grants to UK non-profits, charities and voluntary groups to cover boring running costs like web hosting, admin, insurance etc Apply by 30 Nov #Funding

Thanks to everyone who has come to the show so far. It’s been a blast. There’s about 11 or 12 to go, with tix remaining in a couple of places inc Hull, Bradford and Stoke. And a few in Richmond. Fane.co.uk/jon-ronson

Saw @jonronson.bsky.social talking brilliantly about psychopathy on stage tonight with two fascinating guests. Not sure how many dates left on the tour, but if you can go, do.

Blue Lights is SO good. Rare for TV series to start well and get better series by series but Blue Lights does. Brilliant acting, characters to invest in, gripping stories. Loved it. Roll on season 4.

I went to the cinema twice in the last week. I used to go so often and fell out of the habit. It really is such a fab thing to do - and to focus on the film, not be distracted by all the other things that need doing

Pure joy

So this summer was spent doing up a house 🙌 Some thoughts on pocket doors, progress over perfection, and why painting walls is like writing drafts... www.andreamann.com/blog/an-atti... #scriptsky #scriptsky+ #writing

Reading my first Anne Enright - only 20 pages in, but, my God, it’s SO good. How did she pass me by for so long?

If you've been mulling over doing a creative writing MA, now might be the time to sign up for Leicester where I am Writer in Residence. Great campus, a brilliant literary festival, lovely people (er, me...) and a course that will help you become the writer you want to be. Get in touch :)

Did my first #parkrun in well over a year and what a way to start the day. Wanted to stay in bed, so pleased I didn’t.

Holiday reads! They were a good mix of quick reads and thought provoking, page turners and paragraphs to revel in. Fingersmith had come v highly recommended and lived up to the hype. Pick of the bunch for me was Girls. Loved it. Characters, setting, story. Fab.

This is a study in false memories where the time slips between chapters echo the confusion felt by the MC. The replay of childhood trauma, depression, self-medication is set against a beautifully dressed, self-absorbed, wealthy Manhattan.

I have had a v poor reading month. I started a book, read the first hundred pages slowly, realised that was because I had no interest in what happened next, put it down, picked this up and read it, too, very slowly. It was OK. I think the hype probably set unreasonable expectations in my head.

Brilliant!!

I found @jim.londoncentric.media's piece on the buses following the 7 July London attack incredibly moving - and really accurate in recapturing the spirit of defiance that grew out of the shock as the day wore on.

June reads! I read five books this month - two were outstanding, one was good, and one was well written but I couldn't really get into it, and one was written by someone I know so that was extra-thrilling...

How much cricket (village) is going to get played today… looks like games will definitely start, but unclear how long there’ll be until rain and how spotty it’ll be. Added levels of excitement!!

Ooh I’m a bit behind with book posting and it’s been a bumper June for reading so far (lots of tube/train commutes have helped that), but real mix in terms of enjoyment.

This Archie Bland piece is such a thing. Beautifully written, heartfelt, triumphant. He's on Bluesky but not active. He should know this is a lovely masterpiece. www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

@mmarymckenna.bsky.social One for the gang?

Was I distracted by Keane Reeves. Yes. Yes, I was. Connections Puzzle #703 🟩🟪🟨🟦 🟪🟩🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟨🟨🟨🟨 🟪🟪🟪🟪 🟦🟦🟦🟦

It’s the driest spring on record here in the UK. Just a little reminder to please leave a couple of water trays out in your garden for the birds and little critters. They really, really need it right now. 🐦‍⬛🪲🐭 PLEASE SHARE TO GET THE WORD OUT THERE.

My grandmas were immigrants, my mum & sisters in law are immigrants; my sister & nephews are migrants. My kids study maths, Shakespeare, dance, act & score tries alongside the kids of immigrants. My dad’s life was saved by immigrants. Immigrants have made us richer, wiser, stronger Win the fight

I can personally confirm that best-selling author Tom Cox will send you four signed books for little more than the price of postage. Even if you, like myself, are a Canadian. And they are delightful summer reading!

This was the book! It's so well written/crafted, I can't believe it's the only book she wrote. It's a coming of age story, a mystery & an exploration of the clash between wild fantasy and grubby reality. About the value of truth to understanding who we are. And it's short, compact, &full of dialogue

I’m now reading a book I’ve owned for three decades - it’s got a terrible cover ao have never got round to reading it, but the blurb sounds good so have never given it away during book sort out/culls. Due to my ‘random book picker’ (TM) I’ve finally got to it… genuinely intrigued to dive in!!

If you follow Sam, you won’t be surprised to learn his book combines history, personal insights, interviews & opinion well into a compelling story of how/why we're in this political state in an informed & highly readable way. Would’ve loved more on his solutions- challenges, mitigation, mayors etc

I think this one suffered a bit from the surrounding hype. I did enjoy it but was expecting more. It’s pretty long and felt its length, and as can be case with dual POVs, I much preferred one to the other.

This is absolutely brilliant!

In which I take on the idea that your spec script has to be 'undeniable' -> www.andreamann.com/blog/the-myt... #screenwriting #scriptsky #scriptsky+

Morning all. If you're after a bit of respite from all the mayhem, our 2 acre bluebell woods are at their absolute best right now - open and free to visit 10-5 Wed-Sat. Free parking. Tea and cake available too :-) WA4 4HP.