Phil Tite

Maybe…maybe not. People use it in different ways. Frank makes the point that people used to read on social media but now that has changed to videos due to TikTok.

Just been listening to @nadiashireen.bsky.social talking about reading Smash Hits. I miss those times.

Listening to @nadiashireen.bsky.social and @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social argue/discuss what counts as reading really highlights the problem. What is reading? Everyone is probably reading more than ever (thanks social media) but reading a book from beginning to end brings its own rewards.

National Year of Reading Podcast Episode · The Island of Brilliant! · 13/01/2026 · 50m

I’ve been catching up with last month’s @islandofbrilliant.bsky.social all about the National Year of Reading. It has inspired me to do more to raise the status of reading and get even more people into it. I’m going to do a weekly book recommendation on the school insta for a start.

A new Red Dwarf novel. Exciting times!

Bunny Vs Monkey: Total Chaos is available as part of World Book Day, free with a WBD token, or £1/€1.50 otherwise. Available in most places that sell books!

I saw an adaptation at Chichester Festival Theatre last autumn and the public school boy thing came through loud and clear there.

We took part in the Children’s BookFest at school this week. Awesome visits from Joseph Elliott and Chante Timothy @heychante.bsky.social

Great presentations from both and every child goes home with a copy of the book thanks to the BookFest charity. That’s 360 books handed out!

My girls and I will see you in Brighton.

Yes. I love a reread too. Appreciating extra depth, details, writing or for that familiar hug like you say.

I read books to my class and laugh at bits I missed the first time.

This raises a question of the best books to re-read.
I would love to be able to read Frankenstein and Jekyll and Hyde for the first time again. Imagine not knowing what happens.

Cool. I’ll look into it. Thanks.

Gutting you couldn’t make it. That’s rubbish.

Have you been to the Bowie Centre Storehouse in east London yet? I went to the David Bowie Is exhibition but I’ve not done the storehouse yet.

I love David Bowie! But what am I buying a ticket for? Is it a talk? I can’t work it out from the online summary.

BTW… I played my class Low yesterday while they were doing their geography.

Hey! It’s the National Year of Reading 2026. There’s all sorts of resources and info available “out there”, so have a look if you like. It’s for all of us xx
#GoAllIn @booktrust.org.uk
@literacy-trust.bsky.social

National Year of Reading

As you know @nadiashireen.bsky.social is in charge of The Year of Reading. She goes on and on and on about on this month's @islandofbrilliant.bsky.social Here ..

open.spotify.com/episode/5GTA...

Happy birthday Michael.

Stephen

This was great fun to do, and worth listening to just for Charlie Higson’s excellent Eeyore voice.

Phil Tite Podcast Episode · The Island of Brilliant! · 11/12/2025 · 56m

It’s the Christmas holidays and what better way to spend your time than listening to a brilliant podcast talking about brilliant books. Hosted by @nadiashireen.bsky.social and @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social and guested on by me!

podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...

I did a podcast. It’s called @islandofbrilliant.bsky.social. It’s all about children’s books. It’s hosted by @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social and @nadiashireen.bsky.social. I do say nice things about @davidashelton.bsky.social.

Thank you Dave!
It is a great podcast. All the episodes are well worth a listen.

Been meaning to say: the latest @islandofbrilliant.bsky.social podcast is especially worth your time because the visitor to the island is marvellous @philtite.bsky.social (& I'm not saying this just because he and @nadiashireen.bsky.social say nice things about me).

www.podbean.com/ew/pb-eskcn-...

We have this set. We’re missing a shepherd and have two marys instead!

If it's marvellous mayhem you're after - this is where you'll find it. And you get two masters at work for the price of one, what with @stevenlenton.bsky.social being at the height of his powers.

'The Missing' - book+ video of what happened to my relatives during WW2
'On the Move' - poems about this
'Please Write Soon' - a fictionalised story of my father and his Polish cousin writing to each other during WW@
'One Day' - true story of a small group who resisted the Nazis.

Congratulations.

Some campaign posters by various woodland animals from the book series Grimwood.

Some years ago I decided to leave the real world and move permanently to Grimwood. I’m much happier here. We are currently voting for a new mayor.

I saw it in London last February and am going to see it on tour next month.
So good isn’t it. A bit of everything in that show.

Thanks!