Paul Leyland

I just love books that I can store in my socks

You’re welcome @heavenalibooks.bsky.social - Stories for Lovers publishes Jan 13th! #WomenWriters #MargaretAtwood #DorothyPatker #VirginiaWoolf

This is MSP John Mason. He supports the Guga hunt (bludgeoning of Gannet chicks for tradition) as long as the population is stable or increasing. Don't be like John.

Sorry to hear that Andy. You may like to know you've improved my life this year with your backlisted podcast.

I’ve written a few thoughts on Lolly Willowes, 1926, by Sylvia Townsend Warner, a wonderful story of female empowerment in which Lolly strives to gain her independence, with surprising results! 💙📚 #BookSky #BookReview
https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/90691226-b43b-4e0b-937a-ef29c90366f8

Hand-made Xmas tree decorations! Just £3 - protectthewild.shop/products/han...

Alternative name, "hang on that's not a Wood Pigeon"

I love that phrase "vampiric action"

This was the 300th edition of the project, which means that the archive website now presents over 3,500 individual short story recommendations!

And who's been picked the most times? I hear you ask.

What a load of crap

I used to enjoy her Guardian columns

I would buy it if I could remember the title when I was in the bookshop

Unbelievable

A Personal Anthology Writers, critics and others dream-edit a personal anthology of their favourite short stories

I've updated the apersonalanthology.com website with @john-self.bsky.social's selection – his pick of and introduction to a dozen favourite stories that, in his words, "feel like they’re *mine*."

Check them out!

(Featuring a Personal Anthology debut for Brian Friel, so congrats to him!)

This is a fantastic resource of short stories

Lolly Willowes by Sylvia Townsend Warner Lolly Willowes – the debut novel of the English writer Sylvia Townsend Warner – was an instant success on its publication in 1926. Now regarded as something of an early feminist classic, it tells t…

From the archive for Sylvia Townsend Warner, #BornOnThisDay in 1893, my thoughts on the excellent LOLLY WILLOWES.

A magical novel in more ways than one! #BookSky #nyrbwomen25 #BOTD #books #archiveday #backlisted 💙📚

jacquiwine.wordpress.com/2018/10/16/l...

An interesting selection. A few free ones as well.

A Personal Anthology, by John Self At first I thought of choosing the shortest stories I could, and some of those remain in the list below, but in the end I broadened my thinking as some stories kept pushing their way in.

Here is my Personal Anthology of twelve short stories, including Bruce calling from Mulholland, a daughter leaving for Rhodesia, a washed-up hack in Hollywood (by a washed-up hack in Hollywood) and a story from the Dubliners of 20C Jewish-American life. Ta @jonathangibbs.bsky.social for asking me.

I didn't go but from what I remember tickets at the Empire were around 7/6p (37.5p) then and my Mum probably thought that was expensive.

The Lowlife by Alexander Baron Longstanding readers of this blog will be aware of my love of the great British boarding house, a setting that provides writers with all manner of possibilities for interesting fiction in a seedy, …

From the archive for Alexander Baron, #BornOnThisDay in 1917, my thoughts on THE LOWLIFE, a wonderful evocation of post-war London life.

If, like me, you love novels featuring boarding houses, you'll want this in your collection! (Now in print w/ Faber) 💙📚

jacquiwine.wordpress.com/2023/04/10/t...

I didn't, one of my mates did. We had a rule that we didn't double up on LPs. Can't remember which LP I got so it can't have been much good.

All good things happen when you're 14 years old

Review by sarahmatthews - The Go-Between The Go-Between by L. P. Hartley  Read in Braille  Penguin Books Pub. 1953, 344pp  ___ Thi...

Here’s my review of The Go-Between by L. P. Hartley, 1953, a wonderful novel about class, memory and the loss of youthful innocence, with a dash of magic! 💙📚 #BookSky #BookReview #Braille https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/0160c5fb-2919-4971-ab84-7f037475dfbd

A very happy 10th birthday to @backlisted.bsky.social. Love listening to all the new shows & catching up on the back catalogue - even though you have cost me a hell of a lot of money in adding to my never diminishing TBR pile!

The Dressmaker at 50: a novel that encapsulates Beryl Bainbridge’s idiosyncrasies | The Booker Prizes An uncompromising and funny story of love and death, The Dressmaker was the first of five novels by Beryl Bainbridge to be shortlisted for the Booker.

And here's my own tribute to Beryl Bainbridge (and her 1973 novel The Dressmaker in particular).

She should have won the Booker "three or four times," said her friend Paul Bailey* after her death. "Hers were better than the junk that did win."

*they used to watch Corrie and compare notes by phone

Review by sarahmatthews - Loitering With Intent Loitering with Intent by Muriel Spark Read on audio Narrator: Marjorie Anderson RNIB Talking...

Here’s my contribution to #NovellasInNovember - Loitering with Intent by Muriel Spark, 1981, a wonderfully clever story where life imitates art in the literary world 💙📚 #NovNov25 #BookReview #BookSky #audiobook
https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/3a9743bc-7c35-4d09-8fca-498307955f20?redirect=true

URGENT: Stop Barclays from trapping birds in netting Why choose cruelty over compassion? Barclays’ bird-netting plan in Norwich must be stopped

URGENT: Stop Barclays from trapping birds in netting

Looking up through green and golden oak leaves

Oak trees have been revered for centuries, symbolizing power and ancient wisdom. They can live for hundreds of years – and provide food and homes for hundreds of different wildlife species, including birds, mammals, and insects.
More native trees to grow:
littlegreenspace.org.uk/features/Tre...

It's almost at the top of my reading pile. Sounds interesting

I remember reading this when it occurred. Can't remember all the details but it put me off Cusk and I haven't read anything by her since