David
@bluebookballoon.bsky.social
Oxford, UK. When Adam delved and Eve span, who was then the gentleman? No pasarán. He/him. https://bluebookballoon.blogspot.com
Pinned
Joining the tour for #Catherine by @essiefox.bsky.social, out now from @orendabooks.bsky.social. Raw, emotional retelling of Wuthering Heights. Don’t miss this! Many thanks @annerandomthings.bsky.social bluebookballoon.blogspot.com/2026/02/blog... #BookSky 📚💙
Reposted by David
Good Morning BlueSky! Hope you’re all ok? Today I’m currently reading the last few chapters of the excellent A Forest, Darkly by AG Slatter a deliciously smart witchy tale. What are you reading at the moment?
February 15, 2026 at 8:44 AM
Good Morning BlueSky! Hope you’re all ok? Today I’m currently reading the last few chapters of the excellent A Forest, Darkly by AG Slatter a deliciously smart witchy tale. What are you reading at the moment?
Reposted by David
Oswiu, king of the Northumbrians, died #OTD 670. Kingdom reached its peak under him. He avenged his brother and predecessor Oswald by slaying Penda, pagan king of the Mercians, in battle. Aligned his Church with tonsure and liturgy of Rome at Synod of Whitby. Bamburgh Sword 7thC #medievalsky
February 15, 2026 at 8:32 AM
Oswiu, king of the Northumbrians, died #OTD 670. Kingdom reached its peak under him. He avenged his brother and predecessor Oswald by slaying Penda, pagan king of the Mercians, in battle. Aligned his Church with tonsure and liturgy of Rome at Synod of Whitby. Bamburgh Sword 7thC #medievalsky
1 day without rain and now it’s back…
February 15, 2026 at 8:32 AM
1 day without rain and now it’s back…
Reposted by David
Reposted by David
Roses are red
Linguists are in anguish
That there aren't many words
Which rhyme well with language
#linguistics
Linguists are in anguish
That there aren't many words
Which rhyme well with language
#linguistics
February 14, 2026 at 6:16 PM
Roses are red
Linguists are in anguish
That there aren't many words
Which rhyme well with language
#linguistics
Linguists are in anguish
That there aren't many words
Which rhyme well with language
#linguistics
Reposted by David
The People's Republic of Love: it's nobody's valentine 💘
February 14, 2026 at 4:56 PM
The People's Republic of Love: it's nobody's valentine 💘
We have been waiting to hear from the Valuation Office which Council Tax band our new house is in (having moved in in 2024). Today, we got five(5) identically worded letters from the VO, telling us. All with the same date, the same details (which I guess is a good thing...)
February 14, 2026 at 4:57 PM
We have been waiting to hear from the Valuation Office which Council Tax band our new house is in (having moved in in 2024). Today, we got five(5) identically worded letters from the VO, telling us. All with the same date, the same details (which I guess is a good thing...)
Reposted by David
I look forward to the first time the lithium battery pack wrapped around a walker's ankle catches fire and burns to the bone
Nike's battery-powered footwear system, which propels wearers forward, is part of a broader push to help humans move farther and faster.
'E-bike for your feet': How bionic sneakers could change human mobility
Nike's battery-powered footwear system, which propels wearers forward, is part of a broader push to help humans move farther and faster.
n.pr
February 14, 2026 at 4:07 PM
I look forward to the first time the lithium battery pack wrapped around a walker's ankle catches fire and burns to the bone
Reposted by David
First, this isn't true.
Second, this story reminded me of a scene in one of the Flashman Papers. Set in India during the British occupation, our titular hero, caddish army lieutenant Flashman, is extolling to a Maharani the virutes of British rule.
1/
Second, this story reminded me of a scene in one of the Flashman Papers. Set in India during the British occupation, our titular hero, caddish army lieutenant Flashman, is extolling to a Maharani the virutes of British rule.
1/
Mustafa Suleyman, Microsoft's AI chief, says AI can automate white-collar jobs within 12-18 months, as tech reaches human-level performance in tasks.
Microsoft AI CEO predicts 'most, if not all' white-collar tasks will be automated by AI within 18 months
Mustafa Suleyman, Microsoft's AI chief, says AI can automate white-collar jobs within 12-18 months, as tech reaches human-level performance in tasks.
www.businessinsider.com
February 14, 2026 at 3:45 PM
First, this isn't true.
Second, this story reminded me of a scene in one of the Flashman Papers. Set in India during the British occupation, our titular hero, caddish army lieutenant Flashman, is extolling to a Maharani the virutes of British rule.
1/
Second, this story reminded me of a scene in one of the Flashman Papers. Set in India during the British occupation, our titular hero, caddish army lieutenant Flashman, is extolling to a Maharani the virutes of British rule.
1/
Reposted by David
It is rare for something shot in Manchester to feel absolutely Hooklandian, but Small Prophets is a rare thing - an esoteric TV comedy that grows the heart. Mackenzie Crook is a genius. Small Prophets is television treasure.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=wLKL...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=wLKL...
Small Prophets | Official Trailer - BBC
YouTube video by BBC Trailers
m.youtube.com
February 14, 2026 at 8:29 AM
It is rare for something shot in Manchester to feel absolutely Hooklandian, but Small Prophets is a rare thing - an esoteric TV comedy that grows the heart. Mackenzie Crook is a genius. Small Prophets is television treasure.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=wLKL...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=wLKL...
Reposted by David
It’s Saturday and you deserve a treat so sit back with a cuppa and catch up on this week’s Wombling Along gathering reviews and more I saw online this week www.runalongtheshelves.net/blog/2026/2/...
Wombling Along — Runalong The Shelves
Hellloooo! Hope you’re all ok? Welcome to the blog’s weekend supplement where I gather up reviews and articles that caught my eye this week. Not much to update on this week. I have a new team member...
www.runalongtheshelves.net
February 14, 2026 at 8:16 AM
It’s Saturday and you deserve a treat so sit back with a cuppa and catch up on this week’s Wombling Along gathering reviews and more I saw online this week www.runalongtheshelves.net/blog/2026/2/...
Reposted by David
David over at blue book balloon joins the tour for Catherine by Essie Fox today.
Joining the tour for #Catherine by @essiefox.bsky.social, out now from @orendabooks.bsky.social. Raw, emotional retelling of Wuthering Heights. Don’t miss this! Many thanks @annerandomthings.bsky.social bluebookballoon.blogspot.com/2026/02/blog... #BookSky 📚💙
February 13, 2026 at 9:51 PM
David over at blue book balloon joins the tour for Catherine by Essie Fox today.
#TheApprentice this year seems to have ditched the treats - seems like miserable penny pinching, wouldn’t it have been better just not to have the foreign trip?
February 13, 2026 at 8:49 PM
#TheApprentice this year seems to have ditched the treats - seems like miserable penny pinching, wouldn’t it have been better just not to have the foreign trip?
Reposted by David
So much fun to translate these! Stella is something special!
She's back - bigger, badder and more unstoppable than ever! 'Stella is a force of nature' said The Times. Now #4 is ready for pre-order (get your hands on previous titles in the series at a reduced price as well)
www.amazon.co.uk/stores/page/...
@graskeggur.bsky.social @stellablomkvist.bsky.social
www.amazon.co.uk/stores/page/...
@graskeggur.bsky.social @stellablomkvist.bsky.social
February 11, 2026 at 4:33 PM
So much fun to translate these! Stella is something special!
Reposted by David
'a grand, sweeping read'
writes @bluebookballoon.bsky.social
writes @bluebookballoon.bsky.social
Joining the tour for #Catherine by @essiefox.bsky.social, out now from @orendabooks.bsky.social. Raw, emotional retelling of Wuthering Heights. Don’t miss this! Many thanks @annerandomthings.bsky.social bluebookballoon.blogspot.com/2026/02/blog... #BookSky 📚💙
February 13, 2026 at 3:38 PM
'a grand, sweeping read'
writes @bluebookballoon.bsky.social
writes @bluebookballoon.bsky.social
Reposted by David
No matter the era, you can always spot the Call of Cthulhu characters.
Keeper: "We're going to have a serious game with rich characters as they wrestle with trauma & untold horrors, while also learning a whole lot about history."
Players: "Finally! Also, we want a detective dog in an adorable hat."
Keeper: "We're going to have a serious game with rich characters as they wrestle with trauma & untold horrors, while also learning a whole lot about history."
Players: "Finally! Also, we want a detective dog in an adorable hat."
February 13, 2026 at 2:35 PM
No matter the era, you can always spot the Call of Cthulhu characters.
Keeper: "We're going to have a serious game with rich characters as they wrestle with trauma & untold horrors, while also learning a whole lot about history."
Players: "Finally! Also, we want a detective dog in an adorable hat."
Keeper: "We're going to have a serious game with rich characters as they wrestle with trauma & untold horrors, while also learning a whole lot about history."
Players: "Finally! Also, we want a detective dog in an adorable hat."
Reposted by David
In languages such as Spanish, you can make an adverb by adding ‘-mente’ to a feminine adjective:
‘claro’ (clear) > ‘claramente’ (clearly)
This suffix has a fascinating origin: it’s the same word as the feminine noun ‘mente’ meaning “mind”.
Click my new graphic for the story of Romance adverbs:
‘claro’ (clear) > ‘claramente’ (clearly)
This suffix has a fascinating origin: it’s the same word as the feminine noun ‘mente’ meaning “mind”.
Click my new graphic for the story of Romance adverbs:
February 12, 2026 at 6:58 PM
In languages such as Spanish, you can make an adverb by adding ‘-mente’ to a feminine adjective:
‘claro’ (clear) > ‘claramente’ (clearly)
This suffix has a fascinating origin: it’s the same word as the feminine noun ‘mente’ meaning “mind”.
Click my new graphic for the story of Romance adverbs:
‘claro’ (clear) > ‘claramente’ (clearly)
This suffix has a fascinating origin: it’s the same word as the feminine noun ‘mente’ meaning “mind”.
Click my new graphic for the story of Romance adverbs:
Reposted by David
New Review - a dark cult is suddenly disrupted by a new arrival that reminds someone that they once were more than this - I highly recommend The Unworthy by Augustina Bazterrica translated by Sarah Moses www.runalongtheshelves.net/blog/2026/2/...
The Unworthy by Augustina Bazterrica (translated by Sarah Moses) — Runalong The Shelves
Publisher – Pushkin Press Published – Out Now Price – £8.99 paperback £6.99 ebook In the House of the Sacred Sisterhood, the unworthy live in fear of the Superior Sister's whip. Seething with...
www.runalongtheshelves.net
February 13, 2026 at 7:21 AM
New Review - a dark cult is suddenly disrupted by a new arrival that reminds someone that they once were more than this - I highly recommend The Unworthy by Augustina Bazterrica translated by Sarah Moses www.runalongtheshelves.net/blog/2026/2/...
Reposted by David
New on the blog today for #ReadIndies, I've written about some of my favourite books from NYRB Classics.
Featuring books by Elizabeth Taylor, Barbara Comyns, J. L. Carr and more! @nyrb-imprints.bsky.social #BookSky 💙📚 #TranslationThurs
jacquiwine.wordpress.com/2026/02/12/s...
Featuring books by Elizabeth Taylor, Barbara Comyns, J. L. Carr and more! @nyrb-imprints.bsky.social #BookSky 💙📚 #TranslationThurs
jacquiwine.wordpress.com/2026/02/12/s...
Some of My Favourite Books from NYRB Classics
One of the most interesting literary trends in recent years has been the success of various imprints specialising in reissues – lesser-known or neglected books given a new lease of life by publishe…
jacquiwine.wordpress.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:21 AM
New on the blog today for #ReadIndies, I've written about some of my favourite books from NYRB Classics.
Featuring books by Elizabeth Taylor, Barbara Comyns, J. L. Carr and more! @nyrb-imprints.bsky.social #BookSky 💙📚 #TranslationThurs
jacquiwine.wordpress.com/2026/02/12/s...
Featuring books by Elizabeth Taylor, Barbara Comyns, J. L. Carr and more! @nyrb-imprints.bsky.social #BookSky 💙📚 #TranslationThurs
jacquiwine.wordpress.com/2026/02/12/s...
Reposted by David
Review for Brennan LaFaro's The Denizens is up. Southern gothic horror at its finest, a tale of a grief-stricken man and a . #HorrorFiction #BookReview
gnofhorror.com/the-denizens...
@brennanlafaro.bsky.social @nefariousbatpress.bsky.social @tcparker.bsky.social
gnofhorror.com/the-denizens...
@brennanlafaro.bsky.social @nefariousbatpress.bsky.social @tcparker.bsky.social
The Denizens By Brennan LaFaro: Southern Supernatural Gothic Grief - The Ginger Nuts Of Horror Review Website
Read our review of The Denizens by Brennan LaFaro a masterful southern gothic horror novel where a town's dead refuse to rest. Explore themes of grief and supernatural suspense.
gnofhorror.com
February 13, 2026 at 8:10 AM
Review for Brennan LaFaro's The Denizens is up. Southern gothic horror at its finest, a tale of a grief-stricken man and a . #HorrorFiction #BookReview
gnofhorror.com/the-denizens...
@brennanlafaro.bsky.social @nefariousbatpress.bsky.social @tcparker.bsky.social
gnofhorror.com/the-denizens...
@brennanlafaro.bsky.social @nefariousbatpress.bsky.social @tcparker.bsky.social
Joining the tour for #Catherine by @essiefox.bsky.social, out now from @orendabooks.bsky.social. Raw, emotional retelling of Wuthering Heights. Don’t miss this! Many thanks @annerandomthings.bsky.social bluebookballoon.blogspot.com/2026/02/blog... #BookSky 📚💙
February 13, 2026 at 7:30 AM
Joining the tour for #Catherine by @essiefox.bsky.social, out now from @orendabooks.bsky.social. Raw, emotional retelling of Wuthering Heights. Don’t miss this! Many thanks @annerandomthings.bsky.social bluebookballoon.blogspot.com/2026/02/blog... #BookSky 📚💙
Reposted by David
*NEW BLOG POST*
My review of #FirstDate by Gemma Amor is live on #damppebbles!
Packed to the brim with relentless, palpable tension. This is a book that will get under your skin. Engrossing, nerve-racking, and pretty darn brutal!
My review ➡️ buff.ly/JRuROyN
@daturabooks.bsky.social
#BookSky
My review of #FirstDate by Gemma Amor is live on #damppebbles!
Packed to the brim with relentless, palpable tension. This is a book that will get under your skin. Engrossing, nerve-racking, and pretty darn brutal!
My review ➡️ buff.ly/JRuROyN
@daturabooks.bsky.social
#BookSky
February 12, 2026 at 6:03 PM
*NEW BLOG POST*
My review of #FirstDate by Gemma Amor is live on #damppebbles!
Packed to the brim with relentless, palpable tension. This is a book that will get under your skin. Engrossing, nerve-racking, and pretty darn brutal!
My review ➡️ buff.ly/JRuROyN
@daturabooks.bsky.social
#BookSky
My review of #FirstDate by Gemma Amor is live on #damppebbles!
Packed to the brim with relentless, palpable tension. This is a book that will get under your skin. Engrossing, nerve-racking, and pretty darn brutal!
My review ➡️ buff.ly/JRuROyN
@daturabooks.bsky.social
#BookSky
Reposted by David
I have a few of these on my patch too... I call them nilforts.
Thought I'd throw my hat into the cairn-ring of #HillfortsWednesday
But paradoxically, I want to talk about Ingleborough, a large hill (732m) in the Yorkshire Dales that, while often believed to be a hillfort, actually isn't!
But paradoxically, I want to talk about Ingleborough, a large hill (732m) in the Yorkshire Dales that, while often believed to be a hillfort, actually isn't!
February 12, 2026 at 8:06 AM
I have a few of these on my patch too... I call them nilforts.
Reposted by David
13th February 2026 marks the 29th anniversary of the Great Lego Spill, when nearly five million pieces of Lego fell into the ocean after a cargo ship laden with goods was hit by a storm.
February 12, 2026 at 9:48 AM
13th February 2026 marks the 29th anniversary of the Great Lego Spill, when nearly five million pieces of Lego fell into the ocean after a cargo ship laden with goods was hit by a storm.
Reposted by David
Catherine: A Retelling of Wuthering Heights by Essie Fox @EssieFox @OrendaBooks @RandomTTours liveanddeadly.net/2026/02/12/c...
From @bethsy.bsky.social
From @bethsy.bsky.social
Catherine: A Retelling of Wuthering Heights by Essie Fox @EssieFox @OrendaBooks @RandomTTours
Source: Review copyPublication day :12 February 2026 from Orenda BooksPP: 296ISBN-13:978-1917764421 My thanks to Orenda Books for an advance copy for review With a nature as wild as the moors she l…
liveanddeadly.net
February 12, 2026 at 10:15 AM
Catherine: A Retelling of Wuthering Heights by Essie Fox @EssieFox @OrendaBooks @RandomTTours liveanddeadly.net/2026/02/12/c...
From @bethsy.bsky.social
From @bethsy.bsky.social