Bob on Books

Gertrude Stein Wanted It All A new biography deconstructs some myths around the enigmatic modernist’s legacy.

A new biography deconstructs some myths around the enigmatic modernist’s legacy.

www.theatlantic.com/books/2025/1...

My imagination is a monastery and I am its monk.
-John Keats, born this day, 1795

Featured Book. Contends that techno-capitalism is destroying the earth. Thesis Books

#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Merve Atilgan from her book The Forest of Dreams about adventures in a little girl’s imagination. From Big Picture Press. It’s been out a few months but it’s a witchy picture for Halloween, full of movement, magic and luminous use of colour, that I’m sorry I missed.

Review: An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine Shows that doctrine has undergone development and provides marks of genuine doctrines.

Review: An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine

Shows that doctrine has undergone development and provides marks of genuine doctrines.

Sick Day! No post today because I was blitzed yesterday

Sick Day!

No post today because I was blitzed yesterday

Featured Book. Explores Eastern Orthodox contemplative practices. @litpress.bsky.social

"Either move or be moved."
- Ezra Pound, born this day, 1885.

#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by the late Geoffrey Hayes, from his peaceful, pocket-sized 1976 book, Bear By Himself, about the joys of solitude. Among its charming, square, green-and-brown, ink-and-wash images, this is “Smelling the rain“. Reissued on 4 November by NYRB Kids. @nyrb-imprints.bsky.social

Review: Old Testament Wisdom & Poetry Introduces the six books: outlines, author, date, message, biblical connections and application

Review: Old Testament Wisdom & Poetry

Introduces the six books: outlines, author, date, message, biblical connections and application

#NewIllustrationOfTheDay Sumptuous handmade image by Molly Crabapple whose work is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. From Tiger Slayer, the story of Nur Jahan, 17th-century Empress of India. Text by Ruby Lal. Norton Young Readers Sept. @mollycrabapple.bsky.social

The Heroine of ‘His Dark Materials’ Is Back. Here’s What You Need to Know.

The beloved British fantasy writer Philip Pullman concludes his Book of Dust trilogy with Lyra Belacqua’s final adventure.

www.nytimes.com/2025/10/20/b...

Question of the Day: So who else is excited for the new Louise Penny book out today? #booksky

"When we argue for our limitations, we get to keep them."
-Evelyn Waugh, born this day, 1903

Featured Book. Just arrived today! In Penny's last book, we learned of an enemy more sinister than the Grey Wolf. Now Gamache confronts him, and it turns out he's not a lone wolf! @minotaurbooks.bsky.social

#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Jackie Morris from One Cheetah, One Cherry: a Book of Beautiful Numbers. A playful board book about counting to 10 with rich animal paintings embellished with gold leaf, like heraldry or illuminated manuscripts. Otter-Barry Books 30 October. @otterbarrybooks.bsky.social

Review: The Idol House of Astarte Miss Marple solves a murder occurring before witnesses with no obvious assailant and no weapon found.

Review: The Idol House of Astarte

Miss Marple solves a murder occurring before witnesses with no obvious assailant and no weapon found.

Question of the Day: What are some of your favorite thrillers? #booksky

"Perhaps when we find ourselves wanting everything, it is because we are dangerously close to wanting nothing."
-Sylvia Plath, BOTD, 1932

Featured Book. In an era of church scandals and church hurt, @carmenjoyimes.bsky.social believes church still matters. @ivpacademic.bsky.social

#NewIllustrationoftheDay by Tove Jansson from Comet in Moominland's new 80th anniversary edition. A story about being welcoming to outsiders, published by Sort Of Books on 23 October. This image would feel timeless too, if we didn't know how long Moomin, Snuffkin and Sniff had been around. #Moomins

Review: The Memoirs of André Trocmé His childhood, formative years, pacifism, and leadership in sheltering of Jews during the Holocaust.

Review: The Memoirs of André Trocmé

His childhood, formative years, pacifism, and leadership in sheltering of Jews during the Holocaust.

"We must travel in the direction of our fear."
-John Berryman, born this day, 1914

#NewIllustrationOfTheDay by Rob Biddulph from I Follow the Fox, out in paperback from HarperCollins 9 October. A picturebook about a lost toy, a lost fox cub and a wild nighttime adventure. A captivating depiction here of light on snow at sunrise. @robbiddulph.bsky.social @harpercollins.bsky.social

The Weekly Wrap: October 19-25 Book affordability, post-literacy, Thomas Pynchon, Susan Orlean, Best of 2025, sports writing.

The Weekly Wrap: October 19-25

Book affordability, post-literacy, Thomas Pynchon, Susan Orlean, Best of 2025, sports writing.

On my TBR stack.

Question of the Day: So what is everybody here reading this weekend? #booksky

"Both art and faith are dependent on imagination; both are ventures into the unknown." ~ Denise Levertov, born this day, 1923

Featured Book. A new children's book for Epiphany, considering the birth of Jesus through the journey of the Magi. Paraclete Press

Just in the wake of Diwali (sorry, a batch of books arrived late), #NewIllustrationOfTheDay is a lovely handmade spread by Aditi Anand from One Diwali Day written by Dev Kothari. With free pencil drawing and glowing pastel crayon. Walker 25 Sept. @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social @aditianand.bsky.social