El Hugh

Paperback copy of 'Under the Eye of the Big Bird' by Hiromi Kawakami.

Absolutely breezed through this. I'd still call it a novel rather than shorts but regardless I was very taken by the way it builds its very long view of the future & got a real kick when I realised what the final chapter (story?) does. #wasreading #booksky

Which reminds me in a roundabout way of the debut novel I read a few years ago which I quite enjoyed and then got to the acknowledgements only to see the writer thank their parents, addressing them by their titles

Have decent people finally stopped writing book reviews for the Spectator?

A lovely, bright pink paperback copy of 'Rakesfall' by Vajra Chandrasekera.

Add me to the long list of people who think 'Rakesfall' is very good indeed despite not understanding big chunks of it. #wasreading #booksky

How's that 48 team U-17 World Cup going then?

We'll, working 9-5 and needing to bed not too late pretty much precludes the possibility of seeing Train Dreams at a cinema in London this week. First world problems, I know.

'Task' is well made and well acted and does really well to entertaining and emotionally engaging considering how much of the plot is pure guff.

Slightly apprehensively waiting for Adam Ant to take the stage

Collage of album covers by The Besnard Lakes, Bar Italia, Spain, The Mountain Goats (X3), The Young Gods, Warrington-Runcorn New Town Development Plan & The Lemonheads.

October in music. #waslistening

Well, the latest Only Murders in the Building was a bit rubbish, if still watchable.

New Willy Vlautin novel klaxon sounding in the distance! Parp Parp.

Hefty paperback copy of 'The Watermark' by Sam Mills.

Loved the premise of people trapped in a sinister author's novel; jumping from book to book to make their escape. Wasn't taken by the execution though it does have interesting things to say about the nature of fictional worlds. #wasreading #booksky

YouTube video by Neil Irvine Leyton Orient v Exeter City - Division Four - 25th October 1988 - Ian Juryeff scores

Happy Ian Juryeff scoring an absolute route one cracker day to all who celebrate
youtube.com/watch?v=rcy2...

Hmmm. Don't think I'll be listening to that podcast again. Which is a shame because it been given a new lease of life with recent changes. Ahem.

Spotted a chap reading a Bill Bryson book on the tube this morning and wondered if I'd accidentally perfected the art of time travel

Paperback copy of 'Night of the Living Rez' by Morgan Talty.

It was Talty's debut in the States but here it serves as follow up to the magnificent 'Fire Exit' and further proof that he's the real deal. #wasreading #booksky

Netflix has done a decent job of adapting recent Latin American lit by women but a less so publicising them. 'Limpia' crept out last week and has some good performances but oddly decides not to bother with the structure that made the book so compelling. Rubbish title in English too.

Introduce yourself using only one food you refuse to eat, one movie you'll never watch again, & one song you can't stand:

Bananas

Rise of Skywalker (fool me once etc)

I have scrubbed its name from my memory but that song by The Rasmus rubbed me up very much the wrong way

Look at the Faroe Islands go!

Paperback copy of 'A Sunny Place for Shady People' by Mariana Enríquez.

More of the same from Enríquez. Enjoyable but a slight feeling of diminishing returns compared to the ambition of 'Our Share of Night'. #wasreading #booksky

Paperback copy of 'Rare Singles' by Benjamin Myers.

A tale of the power of music, friendship, love & grief not to mention opioids. Fair to say it goes exactly where you expect but plot twists aren't what it's about. I'm still unlikely to go for a dip in the North Sea though. #wasreading #booksky

Collage of album covers by Gruff Rhys, Pavement, Beta Band, Baxter Fury, Super Furry Animals, Sebadoh, Bar Italia, Carson McHone & Jeff Tweedy.

September in music. #waslistening

These scumbags like to whine that they’re not allowed to say anything these days but remarkably are still able to do so whereas Jamal Khashoggi was murdered & dismembered by agents of the Saudi government at the behest of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for criticising his regime.
Fuck them.

Paperback copy of 'The Great When' by Alan Moore.

Wasn't as taken by this as I expected to be but it's decent enough fun. Found the dense prose a distraction from the story rather than adding to it. #wasreading #booksky

YouTube video by walthamstowfc EIGHT GOAL THRILLER - Walthamstow 5-3 Leighton Town - Match highlights

E17 was the place to be as Walthamstow and Leighton Town played out a thrilling 5-3 game in the FA Trophy.

Watch our match highlights here: youtu.be/ZaoAvrTNeYg?...

Just waiting for that pivot, any day now, I'm sure.

Match of the Day absolutely needs to stop it with the Lionel Shriver references

Lovely new Gruff Rhys album klaxon. Parp! Parp!

Starmer: “You have my word that, after all other avenues and evasions have been exhausted, and most of the damage has been done, I will reluctantly and begrudgingly do the right thing.”

3-2 Orient