I think you might be getting your genres confused, dear - we're popular fiction, not horror.

Bird flu is being painted as a problem wild birds are inflicting on the poultry industry, but it's precisely the reverse. Where do they think it developed in the first place, if not in the disease incubators that are mass battery farms? share.google/K4FBGkiuuUdc...

Just putting my outfit together for tomorrow evening's shenanigans - would this do, @fhayesmccoy.bsky.social, or should I go a bit more formal?

We’ve joined @englishpen.bsky.social’s campaign: PENWrites x Day of the Imprisoned Writer.Bookshops: take part in the letter-writing campaign on 15 November in solidarity with imprisoned writers around the world. Find out more: www.englishpen.org/posts/campai...

I don't often call for resignations. But Sir Robbie Gibb's role in the BBC boardroom coup makes his continued role there untenable. He must resign or be removed

yes the question is not "are the BBC perfect?" (obviously not, sometimes they are awful) it's "if we let them fall, will we like what comes next to fill the vacuum they leave?" (no. no one on Bluesky will like it unless they are purely on here to hate-read.)

did you know that most independent booksellers do not get healthcare through their jobs and navigate insurance markets on their own? do you know most independent booksellers don't make a lot of money? anyway for no particular reason here's a reminder to donate to BINC: bincfoundation.org

Good news for a change.

Sky News just had Kelvin Mackenzie on, former editor of The Sun, one of the people at the centre of probably the most disgraceful front page in newspaper history, complaining about BBC journalists not being objective and 'fake news'. Astonishing. ~AA

Wonderful day in a stunning venue talking about women and contemporary fiction with the fab Sophie White, Faith Hogan. and Edel Coffey. Thanks #dublinbookfest for all your hard work. We are so lucky to live in a city that values books, readers and authors.

@mrjamesob.bsky.social a brilliant investigation by Adam Bienkov and Patrick Howse. Explains *exactly* where we now are.

Also reminder of this Robbie Gibb cancelled an investigation into Farage's Leave dot EU campaign shortly before the EU Ref Arron Banks thanked him for it "Robbie Gibb is being quite helpful and says he’s trying to hose it down." cc @baghdaddi.bsky.social

What you’re witnessing is a populist assault on the BBC. This is not an institutional scandal in any meaningful sense of the word. It is an attack on public service broadcasting. iandunt.substack.com/p/extra-edit...

Other than it is weird that people are just taking photos of strangers, is there something inherently wrong with being a "performative" reader?

Them: You have too many books Me:

Meanwhile, in Reform's Lancashire CC, the councillor in charge of care homes, owns a private care home, and is closing council care homes. 👀 A resident’s son, a Reform party member, said any move would “kill” his mother. ~AA #NeverThoughtTheLeopards www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Q. Where would you get two bestselling Irish authors in one utterly charming bookshop on Tuesday? A. Ennistymon, Co Clare Q: For? A: A FREE event! Conversation, book signing, readings refreshments and Q&A Join @roisinm.bsky.social and me in Banner Books on Tuesday at 7pm ... #spéirgorm 📚 💙

Always worth reposting

"Tá sé léite agam go raibh cultúr saibhir, éagsúil, casta ag tuathánaigh. A mhalairt ar fad a bhí fíor, mar ba shaol simplí crua suarach a bhí acu" www.irishtimes.com/gaeilge/tuar...

We will remember Nigel Farage as a Nazi sympathizer

The Harvest Hares - by wildlife artist, Shelly Perkins A glorious celebration of all things 'Autumn' 🧡 More by this artist, here: www.shellyperkins.co.uk #hares #wildlifeart #art #nature

This is what is happening. It is cynical. It is strategic. It is organised. It is well funded. And we need to pay attention. The far right - and their cheerleaders, mimics, tribute acts, and handmaidens have identified two presentational frameworks that give them cut-through and traction. 1/7

Not because I had a small part to play but because now more than ever we need to amplify kindness and human connection, let me share with you the Tale of Kathleen & John After I had given directions to Kathleen (as I was to learn was her name) she headed off with her trusty walking frame, Esmeralda

Seeing so many posts about who “Starmer and Nandy” will appoint as director general. Easy mistake but the government does not appoint the director general! The BBC board, whose members are appointed for rolling terms by the culture secretary, appoints the director general.

Incredibly, on my local walk this week for #wildflowerhour, I notched up 27 species of plant in flower! It's still so mild here, there's plenty of floral delights to enjoy. This collage shows my yellow flowers for #thewinter10 - I particularly loved this glorious Sun Spurge.

17th-19th century Irish scribal abbreviations that look like text-speak: numeral 8 edition "beannacht" (x2), "Connacht"

In passport line in Prague remembering my best experience in US: Agent: why are you here? I’m a Professor, giving a talk. What’s you subject? Political Philosophy. My favourite!! Really?? No. I say that to all the Professors.

The overlooked female poets of World War One www.channel4.com/news/the-ove...

Daughter climbing a huge ancient willow tree earlier👇🏼. Her: ‘This could be our tree’ Me: ‘I think it already is.’ We took a blanket & sat in our willow nest till an hour after sunset, ate chocolate in its branches and made eachother wreath bracelets from two of its slenderest twigs. 🌿

We are the recourse. We have the power. People are doing it in LA, Chicago, DC and Portland. Through all the posturing they fear us in numbers. You can see it in their eyes. Keep showing up.

National Trust council elections saw a defeat for the Restore Trust campaign. 35k members voted to re-elect a slate of council candidates endorsed by the nominations committee 12k - 13.5k voted for candidates on Restore Trust slate Non-slate candidated www.nationaltrust.org.uk/who-we-are/a...

“I want you to understand what it is like to live in Chicago during this time.” aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...

I wonder if it is worth actually trying to write something proper about one of the particular problems of The Current Bit of Modernity is the way that various fields which have prestige and are potential routes to forms of success assume you have an infinite amount to tide you over pre-success.

Remembering Francis Harvey who died on 7th November 2014 at the age of 89. You planted a tree. I wrote a poem. What more could anyone do?

This email was so realistic. If I hadn’t just renewed my tv licence, I would almost certainly have clicked.

What she said. Two sleeps. Go on, go on, go on.

1/ The US Government has quietly removed a memorial to Black soldiers who died in World War II from the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, South Limburg. The move follows a complaint from the right-wing Heritage Foundation to the American Battle Monuments Commission. ⬇️

A great thread from Emma, drivel-debunker extraordinaire

A great point. If you read the UK press, spend time on X and fall prey to elite radicalisation, you can very easily fool yourself into thinking you represent the silent majority when in fact you are an increasingly extreme minority. It's funny when conservatives scold liberals about their "bubbles"

Q. Where would you get two bestselling Irish authors in one utterly charming bookshop on Tuesday? A. Ennistymon, Co Clare Q: For? A: A FREE event! Conversation, book signing, readings refreshments and Q&A Join @roisinm.bsky.social and me in Banner Books on Tuesday at 7pm ... #spéirgorm 📚 💙

Stand aside wars, genocide, the unravelling of US democracy, climate crisis, child poverty, stagnating economy, homelessness, or foreign interference in our politics - there is only one bit of news. Everyone is having a meltdown about a couple of petty criminals who had a day out by mistake.

I would love it if public discourse on data centers could be just a skosh more sophisticated than "data centers good vs. data centers bad."

‘Is there anyone else in Reform UK who cld be taking bribes from pro-Russian politicians?’ 👇 Zia Yusuf: ‘I don’t believe so’

Yeah so several major Ukrainian cities are in a complete blackout right now. 0 generation from thermal plants and 0 idea when the power will be back. Just please don’t forget us

Watching a German tv series and suddenly realised that everyone’s forehead moves. Refreshing!

Oh my days! Utterly shredded by Britten's War Requiem in a packed @southwarkcathedral.bsky.social tonight. It hits me more powerfully each time I hear it. Outstanding performance from the Outcry Ensemble & a night to cling to my Coventry Cross of Nails too. #HolyGround

Gone to the printer and soon to be released… Launching in the Royal Irish Academy on Monday 1 December at 5:30pm. Further details to follow. “Christmas prezzies sorted, so…” 🎄 #Childhood #Ireland #IrishHistory wordwellbooks.com/index.php?ro...

I ordered a copy of a journal today and received a personal thank you from the editor. It broke my heart. Support small presses and lit journals!!! This is where it all happens. It makes such a difference to people’s lives, to the creation of art, to the sustainability of creative practice etc…

#CorkTraffic Reports of pedestrians, in dark clothing, walking along N25 between the slip road for Water Rock and Midleton. Take extreme care on approach.

If we were talking about school dinners here, the message would be: “No one gets a second helping until everyone’s had a first helping”. Well said Billie Eilish! #Poverty #Justice #ForGooodnessSakeJustLookAfterEachOther www.bbc.com/news/videos/...