Max Cairnduff

Fair.

Many if not most of those commenting hadn’t I think actually read the novel.

I’d heard Tidal was good. If I left Apple ID probably go Presto as I mostly listen to classical and jazz these days.

I buy CDs but mostly listen via Apple Music/Classical. The CD is so I have a backup if I ever lose my Apple Music subscription and to support the artists.

I did wonder tbh how this wasn’t a sensible improvement that I wish my generation had introduced.

I mean Spotify are a terrible company so well done, but you may be there some time…

I do like the covers on this series. Nicely done.

A Caribbean Mystery, Agatha Christie

2026 reading 🧵
A bout of insomnia last night means I’ve finished my nighttime book sooner than expected. An enjoyable Miss Marple adventure. Miss Marple goes on holiday, but murderers do not and so she finds her beach-relaxation interrupted by an unexpected death. Fun as ever.

That makes a great deal of sense.

I didn’t know they did that. Aren’t they part of Waterstones?

I don’t much care if my lists are public or not but I admit it is weird how much of the trivia (to others) of our lives is now public.

For those of you who keep track of books that you’re waiting to come out in paperback or want to buy but not yet or might suggest as a present or whatever, how do you keep track of them?

Am now back on Enlightenment after a longer break than ideal, with Christie’s Caribbean Mystery for when I’m tired. Shame to have broken Enlightenment so but there wasn’t any choice.

Alien Clay, by Adrian Tchaikovsky

2026 reading 🧵
I hadn’t planned to read this yet but it worked well while I was still recovering. Another excellent and rightly lauded slice of xenoecological SF with good characterisation and amazing worldbuilding. Echoes of Shroud and Cage of Souls.

Anyone know “Karolina, or the Torn Curtain” by Maryla Szmiczkowa?

I just bought that!

I saw this for the first time last year and was astonished how good it is. So acclaimed and almost a cliche of what good cinema looks like, but when you see it it really is something else. Just so very, very good.

Well that certainly doesn’t sound rubbish. I’ll check it out.

January has been light reading as I was sick then hurt my back, but before that happened Brookner’s debut A Start in Life was very good.

I think it’s pretty ordinary now

My old team I had to change team outings so we always had good non-alcoholic options as we had so many non-drinkers or mostly non-drinkers. Mostly just 20somethings a bit more health conscious than my generation.

Kate, when you see this I think you should know your cat’s been using your phone to post messages.

Is this your way of saying I’ve taken too long getting to Last Blade?

I was glad they explained the thing with the Canadian’s voice as otherwise that was a bit what is happening right now?

Possibly. I thought they didn’t want three Brits in the top five and they didn’t like her look as much as Kate or Sminty.

I actually wondered if that was why it wasn’t Kate because as you say she brought something unique.

Who would you have bumped though? I mean I thought the same but the two who got it had earned it.

I thought Zahira a bit unlucky to be bottom five.

Batclouds.

London looking warm and cosy…

Did you write it up?