So grateful that the vast majority of today's writers never read George Gissing's New Grub Street. There'd be no new books to read. Rereading yet again and it's as good as I remember. Thanks to @gutenberg.org

How have I gone my whole life without discovering the works of Dorothy Whipple? Currently reading They Were Sisters (1943). It's so well written, so quietly compelling and insightful. Published by Persephone Books.

Heatwaves cannot be 'solved' by installing more air conditioners. They just help create more heatwaves. A good fan can make a big difference. And yes, I know they don't actually make the air cooler, but they do make you feel cooler.

More than 29,000 years ago, a paleolithic man or woman crawled 100m underground and painted stunning horses, aurochs and mammoths, and their own handprints, by blowing ochre and manganese oxide through a hollow bone, by candle light. Awe doesn't begin to cover it

I just had fun writing an 88-word sentence at the end of one of my book reviews. Yes, editors (editors never really 'retire') are word-nerds! If you do spot a mistake, let's have a long and detailed discussion about it ;-)

A single rose bush stretches 10 m from its trunk around the corner. The only 'fertiliser' it ever gets is the coffee grounds we dump under it every few days. It seems to like them.

AI text checkers are NOT reliable! I ran a review I wrote yesterday - 100% me, in my words, my own style, very typically "me", untouched by AI. A checker tells me that my text was '96% likely' to have been written by AI. Bad enough writers are using AI, but even worse to be unjustly accused of it.

Mail volumes have crashed everywhere, largely due to digitalisation. Obviously cost is an issue, but it's not about the price of a stamp: emails are 'free', instant, often more secure. The postal services that do ok are those switching to a good parcel delivery model.

An advantage of a poor memory is the chance of rereading a once-loved novel and it's like reading it for the first time. Thoroughly enjoying Margaret Oliphant's Hester.

Odd subtitles to the hymn being sung for the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mulally

"My damn parents 'disappeared' the mouse I gave them. That's gratitude for you."

Caturday!

I made this hooked strap to stop my cards sliding out of the phone wallet. Tried to buy one that looks better but doesn't seem to exist. If you're looking for an idea for something to make and sell, you're welcome! #invention #PhoneWalletCardSafetyStrap 😁

"Keep your hands off my chopped liver!" We're spoiling him rotten because otherwise he gets bored and brings mice home. Or miaows until we put him in a cardboard box and then swing it back and forth while crying "Wheeeeee!!! "Wheeeeee!!!"

This would be the look on my father's face if his young grandchildren were served food before him. "What about MEEEEE?"

Loving thoughts to my brother who died of AIDS 30 years ago today, as fireworks lit the sky. "And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest."

Today at 10pm on channel 4 (UK).

Ah, the famous "But you know me!" argument used by fascists everywhere

I'm giving myself a present of couple of week of only reading 19th century novels, to escape all the awful. Currently reading J.S. Fletcher Dead Men's Money and Wilkie Collins Jezebel's Daughter. Excellent stories, well told. It's a breath of fresh air.

Revealing my true self: I really enjoyed Kpop Demon Hunters

I recently acquired a book that is quite literally the best children's book I have ever read. The poems are a delight! Rumble in the Jungle by Giles Andreae and David Wojtowycz (Illustrator)

I think Treasure Island, read c. age 8 or 9, awakened my love of classic literature. I still have it, almost 60 years later.

Three recent good reads I haven't had time to review yet: ; Kill Them with Kindness - @willcarver.bsky.social; Actually, I'm a Murderer - Terry Deary and The Six Murders of Daphne St Clair - Mackenzie Common. Enjoy!

Another bigot to add to your blocklist (writes and shares anti-trans posts including "Trans women are not women"). Blocking

Women are at significant risk of violence all their lives, but apparently there's now a need for laws to stop trans women from sharing the same rights I enjoy in case trans women might endanger me. Insane fra.europa.eu/en/content/e... #TransRights apnews.com/article/uk-s...

Somebody came up with the most insane 'design' for a HOSPITAL floor in Brussels 😱