Tynemouth Canary

The cover of 'The Resurrectionist', by A. Rae Dunlop. An extracted heart, on a black background, framed by ivy.

I'm reading 'The Resurrectionist' by A. Rae Dunlop. It's really good fun, and also we had a weekend in Edinburgh recently, so it's bringing back good memories.

I should probably make it clear, for legal reasons, that we didn't go grave-robbing in Edinburgh; not those kind of memories.

A sign in the grounds of the 'Modern Two' gallery, Edinburgh, saying 'There Will Be No Miracles Here', with trees and church spires behind.

A weir on the Water of Leith, in Dean Village, Edinburgh. Autumnal trees in sunshine in the background.

Dean Village, Edinburgh. A most enjoyable stroll.

Got this on the TBR pile/mountain. Just visiting Edinburgh, so I think I may promote it to top of the list.

white circle in a blue background and the words "It's Monday! What are you reading?" in the circle

It's Monday again and today I'm reading Hagtale by Sally O'Reilly

What book(s) are you reading this week?

💙📚 #BookSky #AmReading #MondayReads #TBR

alt text in images please

I'm reading 'The Book of Witching', by C. J. Cooke. I've also just bought 'Halloweird' and 'Illusions of Presence', both edited by Johnny Mains; so I have spooky short stories covered for the moment.

Cover of 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson. The reflection of a somewhat alarmed woman in a dark, shallow pond.

I'm reading 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson. I'm going to read 'The Book of Witching' by C. J. Cooke next, I think, to keep the dark October vibe going.

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Mr Apollo

Morning Womble, I'm reading 'The Haunting of Hill House', by Shirley Jackson, so catching up on an old classic. Yesterday I finished 'Withered Hill' by David Barnet, which was a great piece of 'folk horror'.

Having a beer, watching 'Penny Dreadful' with my partner, with the cat snoring nearby. Pretty lucky really.

Saw there was a re-release. Didn't twig why. Clucking Bell...

Happisburgh

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

Edwyn Collins at the Boiler Shop, Newcastle. Farewell tour. No photos, as I was busy enjoying the gig. Superb, as always. Great songs, great singer. Lots of smiles on lots of faces.

Cover of 'Withered Hill', by David Barnet. The image resembles the face of a hare, but constructed from dry, leaflets branches. A rather stark image, in grey on a black background.

I'm about to read 'Withered Hill' by David Barnet, having been inspired by your review online.

As ALL our senior military leaders meet with our Secretary of War today...just a reminder that THIS is the guy in charge of the most powerful military on the planet.

If you see this picture, post a random image from your device.

ICE attempted
and failed to disappear a food delivery guy.
It needed to be scored.

'Anno Dracula', by Kim Newman. The cover is in the style of a Victorian playbill, featuring a list of major characters ('a gallery of rogues and scoundrels'), and tells us the book is from the 'sick and depraved mind of Kim Newman'. Sounds promising then. There is also a promo quote from, regrettably, Neil Gaiman.

I've just started 'Anno Dracula' by Kim Newman, which is remarkably enjoyable so far. Didn't realise when I picked it up that it's the start of a series. (sorry about the Neil Gaiman quote on the cover BTW)

Happy birthday! Have a fine day

BTW @bigbeardybooks.bsky.social love the autumnal 'Spookteller' handle

What Moves the Dead- Hobbits will like that this book is eerie and spooky but not too scary--they will love the “Merry & Pippin” dynamic between the characters . The Briar Book of the Dead- Hobbits will love the idea of a family of witches who protect their village from evil! Sounds like a good idea for Shire folk . Wakenhyrst- the food descriptions and cozy vibes will appeal to Hobbits but beware of the swamps! Dead faces in the water! . The Bog Wife- Women who rise up from the ground to be your wife? Where does a Hobbit sign up? Sounds too good to be true . The Massacre at Yellow Hill- this will serve as a guide to Hobbits who must go on an epic journey to destroy evil once & for all! . FOXASH- Gruesome gardening? Lettuce horror, weird neighbors? A Hobbit’s worst nightmare! . Small Favors- Hobbits will relate to a family of farmers who just want to live in peace but a stranger shows up to uproot their entire way of life! 🏠 . King Sorrow- Hobbits will love this story of humans controlling a dragon 🐉 to smite their enemies!

8 book recs for Hobbits to celebrate #hobbitday and the first day of Fall 🍃 My reasons for picking these books is available in the alt text

'Unfettered; Tales by Masters of Fantasy' (ed. Shawn Speakman). A precarious-looking stone bridge leads up to a gleaming white stone castle atop a mountain. The cover also contains a list of (some of) the featured authors.

I'm still reading James Holland's 'Together We Stand'. I'm also dipping into the first volume of 'Unfettered' (ed. @shawnspeakman.com). I'm really enjoying discovering some new (to me) authors in there.

'First Light' by Geoffrey Wellum. A young pilot, and behind him, another pilot climbs aboard a Spitfire

A happy find in Durham today. Been looking out for this ('First Light', by Geoffrey Wellum)
#HistoryBookChat

Someone said on the radio earlier that Henry I initially defined a yard as the distance from his nose to the tip of his outstretched thumb. You'd think he'd get sick of it pretty quick. 'Your Majesty, you're needed to measure a field.'
'Whereabouts.' 'Northumberland.'
'FFS!'

James Holland's 'Together We Stand'. Two Allied soldiers in an armoured vehicle, in the desert, watch an explosion in the distance.

I've just returned from We Have Ways Fest, so, suitably inspired, I'm reading James Holland's 'Together We Stand: North Africa 1942-43: Turning the Tide in the West' (that's a lot of subtitle). It's James' trademark combination of big strategic view, and people at the sharp end. Very good, as always

A view down the Tyne, taking in several bridges, from the train window

Heading South for We Have Ways Fest 5. 3 days of war waffle from people much more clever than me, plus some military hardware and perhaps the odd beer.

'The Kamogawa Food Detectives', by Hisashi Kashiwai. A ginger cat eyes up a bowl of noodles. I suspect the cat has bad intentions.

I've been reading 'The Kamogawa Food Detectives', by Hisashi Kashiwai. A nice light read, in a good way, though it's making me hungry! Not good for a currently injured athlete with a rapidly expanding waist. An enjoyable read though, and (big plus IMHO) a cat on the cover.

'There Are Rivers In The Sky', by Elif Shafak.

I'm reading 'There Are Rivers In The Sky', by Elif Shafak. I haven't enjoyed a book this much in a while.

I was giving Eric treats. Then I stopped. Getting the stink-eye now.

'Glorious Exploits', by Ferdia Lennon. A Greek urn, with two Greek figures.

I'm reading 'Glorious Exploits', by Ferdia Lennon. It's certainly entertaining, so far, and nicely written. One character is described as having 'eyes the colour of shallow sea when the sun shines through it', which I loved. It is set in a proto-concentration camp though, which I find troubling.