Andrew Kelly

Rereading some of Ian McEwan’s work in preparation for interviewing him for @toppingsbath.bsky.social 16 September. Book here: www.toppingbooks.co.uk/events/bath/...

A Professor’s Hunt for the Rarest Chinese Typewriter

This - and the one on Sesame Street (see feed) - are my favourite stories from today’s NYT.

The Quintessential Urban Design of ‘Sesame Street’

‘Through its aesthetics, the show is grounded in reality; and through its messaging, it portrays a vision of how urban life can be. It’s a block where residents of all backgrounds and varying income levels exist together harmoniously and where local businesses thrive.’

Samuel Taylor Coleridge wanted to ‘bid farewell’ to writing at 22, letter reveals Young poet details low mood and disappointment in love in 1795 letter, written not long before he met Wordsworth

‘If his friends hadn’t stepped in at the right time, and taken him off to Bristol and to his future meeting with William Wordsworth, it is entirely possible his genius would never have revealed itself, and that his depression and laudanum addiction could have led to a very different fate.‘

Four-day week ‘will be the norm in ten years’ Professor Brendan Burchell says Britain is being held back by a deeply embedded work ethic that sees being busy as ‘virtuous’ — but he insists change is coming

‘Our great-grandparents did in a week what we now do in a day. So why are we still working the same hours?’

I’ve wanted a copy of this book - about one of my top 10 films - for years. Long out of print. Those who own a copy must treasure it greatly as it comes up for sale rarely, and at a high cost.

Very limited print runs of new edition available from eBay.

I’m hoping to do the walking tour one day.

John Bratby (1928-1992)
Gloria with Angst
1960
Laing, Newcastle

Christopher Richard Wynne Nevinson
(1889-1946)

Acetylene Welding, part of 'The Great War: Britain's Efforts and Ideals' print series 1917

In Laing Newcastle exhibition.

Wandering along the Newcastle Quayside on a nice evening.

Looking forward to @illuminations.bsky.social new book, out next January. Preorder here: www.bloomsbury.com/uk/magic-ray...

Lots of treats @cineredis.bsky.social at Watershed. Saw a brilliant documentary on Henry Fonda this morning and now about to see Young Mr Lincoln.

Here’s Stephen Frears, writer Hanif Kureishi, actor Gordon Warnecke and curator Mark Cosgrove at last night’s 40th anniversary showing of My Beautiful Laundrette @cineredis.bsky.social.

Charles Hazlewood introducing last night’s @cineredis.bsky.social showing of Amadeus. This is a film which passes the test of time. I loved it (again).

Many congratulations to @wildtwin.bsky.social for this award. If you haven’t discovered Jeff’s work yet you’re in for a treat. If you want a taster, here’s the piece Jeff write for us on cinema-going www.bristolideas.co.uk/read/ghost-c....

This is interesting. A new book about Prichard, important in Bristol’s history, a supporter of abolition and for the humane treatment of mentally ill people, amongst many other things. www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/nebraska/978...

Latest purchase. From 1962 (I think) a collection of poetry from Bristol poets. Also includes a leaflet for a new magazine, though not in Bristol (now in search of this).

The Empire of Forgetting by John Burnside review – last words from an essential poet of our age This posthumously published final collection confronts mortality, alongside the world’s almost unbearable beauty

It’s impossible not to love the world more when reading Burnside, and impossible not to be more scared and saddened while doing so. He was the ideal laureate of our age, painfully alive to the glory of what we’re losing. Now we’ve lost him, our Anthropocene spirit guide. A light has gone out.’

What Happens in Vegas … Is Grim, Hopeless and Lonely

‘This messy, engrossing book is as good an example as I can recall of a talented writer unable to see himself clearly on the page. I’m so glad it’s back in print.’

I’ve read most of John Gregory Dunne’s work and have looked for a copy of Vegas at a decent price for a long time. Order in.

Government commits to ensuring all primary schools have libraries by 2029 Chancellor Rachel Reeves has pledged to ensure all primary schools have libraries by the end of this parliament.

This is shocking: ‘…one in seven state primary schools across the UK have no library space, which increases to one in four in more disadvantaged areas. While one in 20 primaries in south-east England do not have a library, that rises to one in five in north-east England.’

An Evening with Ian McEwan for What We Can Know at Bath Pavilion

Date for the diary: Ian McEwan 16 September at @toppingsbath.bsky.social.

I’m interviewing Ian and have had the opportunity of an advance read. The book is terrific.

Booking link below:

Ministers urged to guarantee NHS jobs for new midwives amid understaffing Student midwives working thousands of hours unpaid in NHS fear lack of vacancies despite staff shortages

Outrageous and it’s not just midwives. My wife recently had 10 days in hospital with a serious illness. The nurses and doctors were excellent. I was shocked, though, to hear from a student nurse helping to treat her that on graduation the NHS might not have a job for her. This is ridiculous.

What if Theme-Park Rides Were Based on Art-House Films?

Good idea:

It is a disgrace that this country won’t give more help to those suffering from Alzheimers and their families/ carers. www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j...

Paul Smith - housingpaul.bsky.social - continues to provide essential reading on housing: redbrickblog.co.uk/author/paul-...

Edward Burra
Minuit Chanson
1931
Tate Britain

London, wandering between exhibitions yesterday:

Bookish Bath:

Love this outside @toppingsbath.bsky.social.

I’m looking forward to interviewing Ian McEwan 16 September.

Book here: www.toppingbooks.co.uk/events/bath/...

‘Rosa la Rose: Fille Publique’ Review: Lady Liberty of the Streets

‘Ultimately, Vecchiali tempers a romantic vision of the world’s oldest profession with hard truths about women’s agency under the auspices of the free market: “public” goods like Rosa are destined to be depleted.’

Rosa la Rose is in @cineredis.bsky.social 25 July.

More preparation for @cineredis.bsky.social with the latest Cineaste and the interview about Henry Fonda for President. You can see the film and Young Mr Lincoln 26 July. Full programme here: www.watershed.co.uk/cinema-redis...