John

I might not find some political activism that compelling but I try to keep in mind Kwame Ture's point:

"You don't criticize somebody who's doing something when you doing nothing."

Photo of the cover of the novel Flashlight

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Set in Japan, USA & Korea, a massively ambitious saga that tells the tale of a family but also manages to cover some bigger issues. An old fashioned novel (in a good way)

This is the ninth of the Booker long list I have read and the best so far.

Trinca, seven years ago. The very best dog, companion, gentle and completely trusting.

Fiction pile

We hosted the first seminar of the academic year yesterday evening and it was brilliant!

If you want to share your research with a friendly crowd, or perhaps you're a first time presenter, then consider applying to take part in our seminar series! More info below...

The Experience of Work in Early Modern England Cambridge Core - Economic History - The Experience of Work in Early Modern England

Found it!

www.cambridge.org/core/books/e...

Sadly, requires a log in. Is there a link for outside academia?

Cover picture of the novel Flesh

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The story of one man’s life, rags to riches attained in a quite detached and passive way. Plot has holes. But somehow it draws you in and becomes engrossing. Weirdly enjoyable.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

The nightmare future which has already arrived. Love a novel with footnotes.

Strong recommendation

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Man goes on road trip to escape very ordinary marriage and tries to find himself, but there is not a lot there. Another uninspiring Booker long list read. But not the worse.

📣Calling all new research students in history & historical subjects. Do you want to learn how the IHR can help you during your studies?

Join us on the 8 October to find out more.

@royalhistsoc.org @ihrhistorylab.bsky.social @historyandpolicy.bsky.social @chppc.bsky.social

bit.ly/41UPOyG

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

The best of the Booker long list so far. Beautifully written story, definite recommend 💕

⭐️

DNF

I tried but gave up.

3? You can still remain in a union after you retire!

My latest blog post is a detailed invitation to join a research network devoted to critical pedagogies of race and imperialism in law. In it, I outline who its organisers are, the reasons why we have set up the network,and what we hope to achieve in it. Welcome!

folukeafrica.com/invitation-t...

Picture in The Metro of Sarah Jane Baker (& dog) looking wise with a picture of Graham Linehan looking angry

Nice work by someone at The Metro. ❤️🙏😁

It’s such an important event in my year. An opportunity to share ideas, solidarity, love and to dance. I leave feeling invigorated and inspired. Thank you comrades, love you xxx

#Eurocrim will continue. Another case of criminology being criminology. #Eurocrim2025 #ESC

#BDS #FreePalestine

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

OMG 🤯 what a book. Utterly gripping. The best sex descriptions, achieved by a relentless focus on desire.

A must read 💕💕

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Blown away by brilliant historical writing. A really emotional read. (2 of my great aunts were “placed” in institutions) Finished the book on the plane so my tears were public tears.

Strong recommendation 💕🙏💕🙏

Picture of the cover of Tash Aw’s novel The South

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Brilliant writing, queer coming of age storyline set in south Malaysia.

Definitely worth a read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Very dated, both because the court system has changed and because of Pat’s orthodox Marxist critique.

Nevertheless very good.

Is there anything half as good on Magistrates published since?

A message from the early 80s. The struggles continue!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A forensic analysis of British state’s shoot2kill policy in Northern Ireland, how Stalker’s investigation was obstructed, & then discredited by attempts to criminalise his friend & how the assassinations were outsourced to paramilitaries. Comprehensive & persuasive 🙏 🙏@paddyzemia.bsky.social

Cover of the book Universality by Natasha Brown.

⭐️⭐️

Media, power, race/class great topics but superficial analysis, undeveloped plot and rushed writing.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

OK

But at the end of the day it’s good writing saying nothing particularly important.

What can science fiction tell us about abolitionist futures and the path to utopia?

@philcrockettthomas.bsky.social @stirunicriminology.bsky.social @thesccjr.bsky.social on prison abolition activism, collaborative fictioning and the ideas of Ursula K. Le Guin.

#OpenAccess buff.ly/xw5UXjJ

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What a book. Exquisite writing, a brilliant story and a joy to read.

I will miss Dave!

Tempting …

Actually no

abolitionistfutures.com/latest-news/...

From a 2020 book review, highlighting how the growth of far right ideas in the middle class has largely been ignored by a focus on the far smaller growth within the working class.

Full review: jmmoore.org/wp-content/u...