Sarah McPherson

A friend and I did the same in secondary school, and I still sing some of our wrong lyrics to this day!

I have clippers and a nail file that live in a pocket of my handbag along with all the other random small things I might need at a moment's notice wherever I happen to be at the time... Means my bag is full of crap, but otherwise usually works as a strategy

Amused by the fact that the #BitesizedBookClub session focusing on happy/positive stories is the one that has generated the most divisive opinions and (friendly) disagreement so far 😄 Thanks to everyone who came for the interesting discussions!

But also I get it - I have to fight the feeling of who the hell do I think I am trying to be run this thing and tell people what to read etc etc...

Nooooo, your opinions were welcome and interesting! ❤️ (And I aim to control the discussion to make sure everyone can contribute but I hope it never feels like I'm telling people to shut up)

This is a great list!

The NIFTY Book Club is great - come join us! ☺️

Because, here's the thing. We're told: "it's the way of the world; it's human nature," as an excuse for every act of cruelty or selfishness we witness, in the hope that we'll just stand by and watch. But it's not human nature. It's human choice. And we don't have to stand by. We can stand up.

'Stella felt the universe hold its breath, wrap its extravagance around her (her! tiny, insignificant Stella!)'

Speaking of happy stories, this one by @emilyrinkema.bsky.social is a moment of joy encapsulated!

Well, I settled on four that *I* think are happy. Will see what everyone else makes of them at the session next week! 😊

Maybe 'It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)' by REM

Or 'I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)' by Meat Loaf

Bloody flash writers and our tendency towards underlying darkness... 😁

But... but... (I did, you are correct! I'll do my best 👀)

Today's debate, as I try to finalise my choices for this month's #BiteSizedBookClub... how much of a bittersweet edge can I allow myself before I decide something doesn't qualify as a happy flash fiction? 😄

This is a beautiful story

A four-panel Peanuts cartoon by Charles Schultz, showing Snoopy sitting on the dog house roof typing on his typewriter. Panel 1: Gentlemen, Regarding the recent rejection slip you sent me. Panel 2: I think there might have been a misunderstanding. Panel 3: What I really wanted was for you to publish my story, and send me fifty thousand dollars. Panel 4: Didn't you realise that?

Congrats! 🥳

So many open tabs... so many...

And they are all wonderful! Happy course-iversary! 🥳

Still time to sign up for the January session next week - come and read some brilliant stories by @devaneemily.bsky.social with us!

#BitesizedBookClub #FlashFiction #Reading

Link for more info, booking form, & payment details (plus provisional dates for the rest of 2026): theleadedwindow.blogspot.com/p/bite-sized...

You can check out the readings from previous sessions here: theleadedwindow.blogspot.com/p/bite-sized...

#BitesizedBookClub #FlashFiction #Reading

Bite-sized Book Club bookings are open for the first block of 2026 (link in next post)!

The sessions are as follows, 19:15-20:30 (UK time):
Thurs 15 Jan - Stories by Emily Devane
Thurs 12 Feb - Happy/Positive Stories
Thurs 19 Mar - Collaborations

#BitesizedBookClub #FlashFiction #Reading

Me (pre-diagnosis): I can sit still through meetings and don't really need to fidget.
Also me: Constantly moves around in my chair, crosses/uncrosses legs repeatedly, plays with my hair/hoodie strings/zips, bites nails, picks at skin, chews the inside of my cheek...

Have done!

I am not Yorkshire by birth but have lived here for 25 years (can't quite believe it's been that long!) if that's good enough for you?

Oh, the Repair Shop is wonderfully cozy comfort TV - thoroughly recommended!

Also (something I had to tell myself when I went through it) remind yourself that the point is to demonstrate what the issues/difficulties are, not disguise or downplay them as one might in, say, a work interview/review meeting...

Sending you luck and wishes for a useful conversation in which you are able to articulate what you need to say ❤️

Three books, roughly stacked on a red satin throw: 'Spin of the Triangle' by Stephanie Carty, 'The Lives of the Dead' by Fiona McKay, and 'The Museum of Shadows and Reflections' by Claire Dean. 'Spin of the Triangle' has a white spine with black text. 'The Lives of the Dead' has a black spine with white text. 'The Museum of Shadows and Reflections' has a teal and white cover that looks hand-drawn, with white text and an image of a female figure swinning underwater.

December reads 💙📚:
1. Spin of the Triangle by Stephanie Carty (novella-in-flash)
2. The Lives of the Dead by Fiona McKay (novella-in-flash)
3. The Museum of Shadows and Reflections by Claire Dean (short stories)

#books #amreading #novellainflash #shortstories #shortstorycollection #2025reads