James Cook

Andy says: A new instalment of INVENTORY is available now via the @backlisted.bsky.social Patreon. Sign up as a Locklistener and you’ll get this plus a bunch of other stuff, while supporting the podcast.

This week: Caedmon Feel the Noize: spoken word recordings, pt two.
www.patreon.com/backlisted

This Saturday (2 August) on BBC2

Gift of Patricia Phelps de Cisneros through the Latin American and Caribbean Fund in honor of Catalina Cisneros-Santiago

Hermelindo Fiaminghi, Alternating 2, 1957 #artbots #moma
https://botfrens.com/collections/14377/contents/1137703

‘It was a buddy movie – and then they kissed’: Stephen Frears and Hanif Kureishi on My Beautiful Laundrette at 40 We meet the director and writer of the classic gay romance for tea, cake and bubbles to talk about the movie that changed cinema – and the lives of everyone involved

Make it dirty and make it like a western - Stephen Frears's suggestions to Hanif Kureishi in writing My Beautiful Laundrette. And how Daniel Day-Lewis was influenced by Clint Eastwood and, perhaps, Marlene Dietrich: www.theguardian.com/film/2025/ju...

Congratulations to Jeff Young, winner of this year’s TLS Ackerley Prize for his highly original and exhilaratingly written memoir ‘Wild Twin’, published by @littletollerbooks.bsky.social‬

RIP

The Bond film that made me a writer | The Observer Jonathan Coe’s parents took him to see On Her Majesty’s Secret Service at the age of eight – and it has influenced his novels ever since. It just took a ...

Richard Skinner gave me free rein to write about cinema for his forthcoming anthology The Carbon Arc. Having already revisited two of the films that made an indelible impression on me when I was young (What a Carve Up and The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes) this was a chance to discuss the third.

‘The Carbon Arc’ ‘I always want the audience to outguess me, and then I double-cross them.’  ​ —Buster Keaton Marina Benjamin /  Jonathan Coe / Jude Cook / Rob Doyle / Wendy Erskine / Gareth Evans / Maria...

If you enjoyed this, do consider buying the anthology. The full version of my piece is twice as long as the one The Observer has printed: but more importantly, the other contributions sound great.

Missing person alert for Anthony, a black male with short black hair, last seen wearing a burgundy top, black joggers, and trainers on a 176 bus between Waterloo and East Street.

🚨 MISSING PERSON 🚨

Anthony was last seen heading south on the 176 and likely alighted in Waterloo, Elephant & Castle or Walworth.

Anthony is non-verbal and has severe autism.

Any sightings, dial 999 quoting CAD ref 6954/16July.

Please share this and help find Anthony!

Next! 10 August Walthamstow www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/im-with-pu...

Salt acquires Jude Cook's 'existential' new literary thriller Salt has acquired a new “existential” literary thriller by Jude Cook.

Thrilled to announce the wonderful @saltpublishing.com are to publish my new novel, TIME BEING, in September 2026. I can't think of a better home for my book! #indiepresses www.thebookseller.com/rights/salt-...

Fabulous evening at 21 Soho for Fiction First! Thanks @jackaldane.bsky.social & @bookingclubpod.bsky.social for a nuanced exploration of the novel with 6 brilliant debut writers: Harriet Armstrong, Lisa Smith, Rowe Irvin, Thomas Peermohamed Lambert, Nicolas Padamsee & William Rayfet Hunter👏

"EHCPs protect rights to education - and a future"

If the govt stubbornly presses on with its apparent quest to remove educational rights from SEND kids in mainstream schools, this is what the fight will look like: cold bureaucracy and Treasurythink v raw humanity (from today's Mirror, thanks to @carriegrant.bsky.social)

There's a lovely and empathetic review of my new book Maybe I'm Amazed in this week's TLS by James Cook: "an extraordinarily powerful memoir... a heartfelt demand for autism awareness, acceptance and inclusivity."

Painting of a fence line in a golden field with many wild flowers created in a semi abstract style

July Fields, 1959
by painter Joan Eardley #WomensArt

Crossed destinies Drayton and Mackenzie – not a gentleman’s outfitters, but a novel – is an example of a genre that has become vanishingly rare of late: the capacious,

Here's my review of Drayton and Mackenzie, Alexander Starritt's capacious, elegantly written novel of entrepreneurship and bromance in this week's
@thetls.bsky.social @swiftpress.bsky.social www.the-tls.com/literature/f...

*New*
Mark Webber @imwithpulp.bsky.social
I’M WITH PULP, ARE YOU?
In conversation
Walthamstow SUNDAY 10 AUGUST, 2PM
Tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1469107583... #Pulp @welovepulp.bsky.social

What a line up! Come along to 21Soho next Wed July 16th 7pm for FICTION FIRST: a live recording of @bookingclubpod.bsky.social with 6 brilliant debut novelists. Nicolas Padamsee, William Rayfet Hunter, Rowe Irvin, Harriet Armstrong, Thomas Lambert & Lisa Smith. www.tickettext.co.uk/cHPHYTmiv5

As I watched the benefits fiasco unfolding, knowing that the special needs story would soon explode, it brought one big thought to mind. Labour needs to stop sowing fear and dread among people whose lives are already full of those things. Instead of picking on vulnerable parts of the population who already view the future with deep anxiety, they should maybe go after much more powerful interests, who might be compelled into helping the government with its financial woes. Instead, fear is swirling around parts of society that are already unable to cope. Labour governments are meant to make people feel less scared, not more. If there is going to be yet another “reset”, this is where it should be focused.

There is one point that may yet bring clarity to the government’s thinking. Governing politicians habitually pretend they will win future elections. But there is now every chance that Reform UK might end up in power, possibly in partnership with whatever remains of the Conservatives. Judging by his recent pronouncements, Nigel Farage has very questionable views about special needs and disabilities. There is strong evidence that the same is true of Kemi Badenoch. The current fashion on the political right for nonsense about savagely cutting back the state would have deep implications for Send families. If Labour takes away so many children’s basic educational rights, it may well end up leaving them at the mercy of politicians who will then vandalise their lives. “No decision has been made,” say ministers. It is time they took the only morally and politically right one, and fast.

Latest from me: on fears about the govt's plans for Special Needs education, with two key things that Labour ministers & MPs should think about www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Government faces battle over Send overhaul as campaigners voice fears MPs and parents worry shake-up may abolish vital education, health and care plans that SEN children rely on

Big news: Guardian story and multi-signatory letter about fears about how the govt will follow the disability benefits fiasco: with drastic moves on the educational rights of children & young people with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities 1/2 www.theguardian.com/education/20...

To Rest Our Minds and Bodies by Harriet Armstrong review – a singular new voice This blackly comic debut is an astute and funny examination of the pain and pleasure of first love

I reviewed Harriet Armstrong's fierce and tender tale of first love, To Rest Our Minds and Bodies, in today's @theguardian.com @lesfugitivespress.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j...

TLS Ackerley Prize shortlisted books plus QR Code for details and tickets

TLS Ackerley Prize shortlist. Foyles, July 23rd . QR Code for details.

Bond music now has all the time in the world as @lalalandrecords.bsky.social announce a 2-disc dive into the cues and curios of the OHMSS score! Tighten that kilt and ski at speed to the record store in the wintry village below!
lalalandrecords.com/on-her-majes...
#OHMSS #JohnBarry #JamesBond

This should be an awesome event. Six brilliant debut novelists together on one night. Tickets for FICTION FIRST at 21 Soho
on Wed 16th July on sale now! 👇

The Beatles on Our World: All You Need Is Love With seemingly unstoppable momentum during the summer of 1967, on 18 May The Beatles signed a contract to represent the BBC, and Britain, on Our World, the world's first live television satellite link...

25 June 1967:

The Beatles perform All You Need Is Love via satellite to 400 million people!

Ringo: "We were big enough to command an audience of that size, and it was for love. It was for love and bloody peace."

Watch it here:

www.beatlesbible.com/1967/06/25/t...

Paging Duke @dantjenks.bsky.social What a record. #Redskins '85.

Yes, and they had little sachets in the magazines too. The 80s/90s bottled (sacheted?)