Sara Benwell

Me, Kate and Sara repping the indefatigable Jilly Cooper on Only Connect as "The Jillies"

I hope I shuffle off after the kind of life Jilly Cooper had, and I hope my pals on the internet talk about me like they're talking about Jilly (this is not going to happen).

Still, at least I've always got this:

Jilly Cooper holds a stick with a badger’s head, while a golden retriever refuses to be corralled for a photo. I look totally thrilled.

My godmother just messaged me while I was wrestling Sybil at the vet - couldn’t be a more appropriate scenario to find out that heavenly Jilly Cooper has died. The JCBC went for lunch with her again this year and she met (and loved) Sybil.

The world has lost some of its sparkle without Jilly in it.

Not only have her books brought joy to millions, but she was one of the most generous people I’ve ever met, with her time, her stories, her champagne.

She will be so missed. My life would’ve been very different without the JC book club.

I’m not saying my cats are insane, but please Gods what is happening here?

I’m late to the party on this one, but what an absolute corker of a novel.

Sensational writing from Oyin Braithwaite and now I must guy everything else she’s written immediately.

It’s quick as well, I gulped it down in one go. Really original story. Well worth a read if you haven’t already.

It’s on Board Games Arena if you have that. It’s deceptively hard, and really strategic, but super fun.

I’ve played a lot of good board games recently, but I’m afraid to say Boop has taken over my life. Productivity through the floor.

Who needs novels, TV, family time, when you can push adorable little cats across a board?

10 authors I love so much that I auto-buy anything they write, no questions asked.

Christopher Brookmyre
@naominovik.bsky.social
Stephanie Garber
@jasperfforde.bsky.social
@mariankeyes.bsky.social
Fredrik Backman
R. F. Kuang
@janecasey.bsky.social
David Nicholls
@beafitzgerald.bsky.social

I rewatched last year and you are absolutely correct. For your next project I really recommend an Ally McBeal rewatch. Gloriously insane.

This book is an absolute banger. To the point where you should definitely be paying more than 99p for it. Nonetheless - what a bargain. Buy buy buy!

The thing that no one warns you about parenthood is how much it messes up your Spotify algorithm.

Can already tell that this year’s wrapped will be wild, just eleven thousand “potty songs”, Let It Go, and the Six soundtrack.

Just rattle some dice and see who looks up excitedly.

To be fair, I think this is (genuinely) a specifically male problem.

On the one hand: I’m a terrible parent because we’re on our second watch of the Little Mermaid (today).

On the other… my three year old now knows the word cecaelia and what it means…

CORRECT

Me at 11pm: yeah sure I can play board games. But only for an hour.

Me at 4am: trying to explain that EVERYONE fancied the Disney fox version of Robin Hood

Sam: what if I tried to make the world a better place

Benwell: have you seen a toothbrush and also what if I’m generally really unhelpful and logical.

But it’s “what is the first PLASTIC thing you touch”

(It might be me)

One of us has misunderstood the question.

Hang on. I have questions.

I thinks probably possible… Separately, I have a great idea for a new TV game show…

Pretty sure my toothbrush involves plastic, so like - fewer than 5 minutes

It is far too early in the morning to be reading this.

I mean. LOOK. And it’s not even 9am.

There is no better example of the beauty of female friendships than this: I just complained about having no Diet Coke in the group chat and someone has immediately Deliveroo-d me some. Women are incredible. Always.

I wish it was more obvious which one you were talking about…

Great, great shouts! Will get in touch / investigate both. Thank you.

Ooooh great shout. No I haven’t but will do! Thanks.