Claraisreading 🌿💙📚📚
@claramay.bsky.social
books, pond plants and wildflowers; Backlisted Podcast and WildflowerHour
(and more books)
Pinned
Claraisreading 🌿💙📚📚
@claramay.bsky.social
· Nov 30
“Move Mr Bulstrode out of the way there please”.
When there is a very large parcel or binbag or haversack, on a car seat, or in the way in the house, it’s called “Mr Bulstrode”. Has been for decades, no idea why.
Just found out he’s a character in Middlemarch.
When there is a very large parcel or binbag or haversack, on a car seat, or in the way in the house, it’s called “Mr Bulstrode”. Has been for decades, no idea why.
Just found out he’s a character in Middlemarch.
"Problems of human behaviour still continue to baffle us, but at least in the Library we have them properly filed."
February 14, 2026 at 2:52 PM
"Problems of human behaviour still continue to baffle us, but at least in the Library we have them properly filed."
Excellent, readable and useful review, thank you:
I wrote about @reproutopia.bsky.social's excellent book "Enemy Feminisms: Terfs, Policewomen, and Girlbosses Against Liberation" for the new @nplusonemag.com
“Given the history of intrafeminist conflict, Lewis suggests, it’s time we gave up the comforting myth that feminism is always and everywhere a force for good.”
In n+1’s Winter 2026 issue: coeditor @dtortorici.bsky.social on Sophie Lewis’s ENEMY FEMINISMS. www.nplusonemag.com/issue-52/rev...
In n+1’s Winter 2026 issue: coeditor @dtortorici.bsky.social on Sophie Lewis’s ENEMY FEMINISMS. www.nplusonemag.com/issue-52/rev...
February 14, 2026 at 8:10 AM
Excellent, readable and useful review, thank you:
Reposted by Claraisreading 🌿💙📚📚
If you’re affected by the High Court’s decision this week, you're not alone and we stand with you 💜
Here are some resources for our trans friends and allies 👇
goodlawproject.org/resource/sup...
Here are some resources for our trans friends and allies 👇
goodlawproject.org/resource/sup...
Support resources for our trans friends and allies | Good Law Project
At a time when anti-trans discrimination is rife and hate crime has reached record levels, it’s important to know what support is out there for trans, non-binary or gender-questioning individuals and ...
goodlawproject.org
February 13, 2026 at 11:04 AM
If you’re affected by the High Court’s decision this week, you're not alone and we stand with you 💜
Here are some resources for our trans friends and allies 👇
goodlawproject.org/resource/sup...
Here are some resources for our trans friends and allies 👇
goodlawproject.org/resource/sup...
Reposted by Claraisreading 🌿💙📚📚
This @freshwaterbio.bsky.social #pond restoration training course 25th, 26th June is well worth attending. Learn how to restore degraded existing ponds & #ghostponds with Norfolk Ponds Project founders Carl Sayer & Helen Greaves:
www.fba.org.uk/shop/p/pond-...
www.fba.org.uk/shop/p/pond-...
Pond Restoration Training: 25th & 26th June 2026 — Freshwater Biological Association
Ponds are increasingly being recognised as critical to biodiversity conservation in UK landscapes. This new two-day course will introduce participants to pond restoration science and best practice. Gr...
www.fba.org.uk
February 11, 2026 at 5:56 PM
This @freshwaterbio.bsky.social #pond restoration training course 25th, 26th June is well worth attending. Learn how to restore degraded existing ponds & #ghostponds with Norfolk Ponds Project founders Carl Sayer & Helen Greaves:
www.fba.org.uk/shop/p/pond-...
www.fba.org.uk/shop/p/pond-...
Reposted by Claraisreading 🌿💙📚📚
New episode up now. Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis, with guest Doctor Rowan Williams. www.backlisted.fm/episodes/257...
257. Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis — Backlisted
Dr Rowan Williams, theologian, poet and former Archbishop of Canterbury, joins Andy and John for a thoughtful and moving discussion of Till We Have Faces (1956), the last novel by C.S. Lew...
www.backlisted.fm
February 10, 2026 at 7:16 AM
New episode up now. Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis, with guest Doctor Rowan Williams. www.backlisted.fm/episodes/257...
Reposted by Claraisreading 🌿💙📚📚
That’s it for now. After ten years, we are taking a long break. But our Patreon is alive and well and full of great stuff. Join us there for new writing, chat and online events, plus 250 ad-free shows and 150 episodes of Locklisted. www.patreon.com/backlisted
Get more from Backlisted on Patreon
Creating podcasts that give new life to old books
www.patreon.com
February 10, 2026 at 7:16 AM
That’s it for now. After ten years, we are taking a long break. But our Patreon is alive and well and full of great stuff. Join us there for new writing, chat and online events, plus 250 ad-free shows and 150 episodes of Locklisted. www.patreon.com/backlisted
I couldn’t agree more, Gordon, and what a joy to be part of the continuing Backlisted Patreon community.
What a remarkable run. The effort this has taken has to be commended. The quality has actually improved over time, which is remarkable over ten years and that many books. I look forward to whatever follows on Patreon (and having heard the next episode on Patreon - what a way to end this era!)
Tomorrow we release the final episode of Backlisted for the foreseeable future.* After ten years, it's a very odd feeling. I am looking forward to spending more time with my books and fewer times on social media.
* Boats against the current, we beat on via Patreon.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmQK...
* Boats against the current, we beat on via Patreon.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmQK...
February 10, 2026 at 7:23 AM
I couldn’t agree more, Gordon, and what a joy to be part of the continuing Backlisted Patreon community.
Reposted by Claraisreading 🌿💙📚📚
Lots of crocuses around our poor Surrey soils, this one from "old Surrey", a Richmond cemetery for #WildflowerHour ... Has a somewhat Spencer'esque "Resurrection at Cookham" feel to it?
February 8, 2026 at 8:28 PM
Lots of crocuses around our poor Surrey soils, this one from "old Surrey", a Richmond cemetery for #WildflowerHour ... Has a somewhat Spencer'esque "Resurrection at Cookham" feel to it?
Reposted by Claraisreading 🌿💙📚📚
💜💚🤍
Sweet Violet posy given by my neighbour on Friday, from her garden 🙏
Suffragette colours appreciated & noted #WildflowerHour 🌱
Sweet Violet posy given by my neighbour on Friday, from her garden 🙏
Suffragette colours appreciated & noted #WildflowerHour 🌱
February 8, 2026 at 8:24 PM
💜💚🤍
Sweet Violet posy given by my neighbour on Friday, from her garden 🙏
Suffragette colours appreciated & noted #WildflowerHour 🌱
Sweet Violet posy given by my neighbour on Friday, from her garden 🙏
Suffragette colours appreciated & noted #WildflowerHour 🌱
Hazel Catkins and Snowdrops for #WildflowerHour
February 8, 2026 at 8:48 PM
Hazel Catkins and Snowdrops for #WildflowerHour
Reposted by Claraisreading 🌿💙📚📚
I haven’t read The Odyssey since middle school so I have no idea what all Emily Wilson’s translation does that’s different from the Fagles translation we read but hot damn is this millennia-old poem still a page turner. I’ve sailed through it in a few days.
February 7, 2026 at 11:32 AM
I haven’t read The Odyssey since middle school so I have no idea what all Emily Wilson’s translation does that’s different from the Fagles translation we read but hot damn is this millennia-old poem still a page turner. I’ve sailed through it in a few days.
Reposted by Claraisreading 🌿💙📚📚
Clare McKenzie (Class of 2025) calls the Becoming a Regenerative Farmer course “incredible” for its flexible online learning, world-renowned expert teachers and hands-on weekends at the stunning Henbant Farm in Wales.
Ready for 2026? Payment plans available: www.henbant.org/brf
Ready for 2026? Payment plans available: www.henbant.org/brf
December 11, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Clare McKenzie (Class of 2025) calls the Becoming a Regenerative Farmer course “incredible” for its flexible online learning, world-renowned expert teachers and hands-on weekends at the stunning Henbant Farm in Wales.
Ready for 2026? Payment plans available: www.henbant.org/brf
Ready for 2026? Payment plans available: www.henbant.org/brf
Reposted by Claraisreading 🌿💙📚📚
At some point, for the love of God, will someone ANYONE at long last take the council funding crisis seriously?!?
Because THIS is what will break down a society, not some poor soul escaping incredible dangers, arriving on our shores.
Because THIS is what will break down a society, not some poor soul escaping incredible dangers, arriving on our shores.
English councils plan to sell off social clubs and sports centres to balance books
English councils plan to sell off social clubs and sports centres to balance books
Survey finds 60% of key cities councils are planning to sell assets to meet costs of adult and children’s social care
English councils are planning to sell social clubs, sports centres and shopping arcades as they bet on a fire sale of assets to balance the books, according to a survey of local authorities.
The key cities group of councils, which represents second-tier cities in England, said 60% of councils were planning to sell assets to meet the escalating costs of adult and children’s social care. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 8:03 PM
At some point, for the love of God, will someone ANYONE at long last take the council funding crisis seriously?!?
Because THIS is what will break down a society, not some poor soul escaping incredible dangers, arriving on our shores.
Because THIS is what will break down a society, not some poor soul escaping incredible dangers, arriving on our shores.
Reposted by Claraisreading 🌿💙📚📚
✍️ Foxholes’ ‘line in the chalk’: locals come together to resist gas drilling proposal
What happens when a village community stands its ground against the potential environmental threat from a powerful developer
By David Eddy
What happens when a village community stands its ground against the potential environmental threat from a powerful developer
By David Eddy
Foxholes’ ‘line in the chalk’: locals come together to resist gas drilling proposal
What happens when a village community stands its ground against the potential environmental threat from a powerful developer
yorkshirebylines.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 7:58 AM
✍️ Foxholes’ ‘line in the chalk’: locals come together to resist gas drilling proposal
What happens when a village community stands its ground against the potential environmental threat from a powerful developer
By David Eddy
What happens when a village community stands its ground against the potential environmental threat from a powerful developer
By David Eddy
Reposted by Claraisreading 🌿💙📚📚
Bishopthorpe Parish Council want to sell a small wildlife oasis hosting rare wildflowers like Yellow Star-of-Bethlehem to a developer. This field belongs to the people of Bish who cherish its wildlife. Please sign this petition to stop them doing this. Thanks 😊 c.org/syGKBRcGBY
February 4, 2026 at 6:21 PM
Bishopthorpe Parish Council want to sell a small wildlife oasis hosting rare wildflowers like Yellow Star-of-Bethlehem to a developer. This field belongs to the people of Bish who cherish its wildlife. Please sign this petition to stop them doing this. Thanks 😊 c.org/syGKBRcGBY
This is a tremendous story:
My monthly Substack newsletter is now live, with a nod to @davidallengreen.bsky.social as it's Candlemas today, and together with with @tambourine.bsky.social we share a rather special Candlemas story!
open.substack.com/pub/victoria...
open.substack.com/pub/victoria...
Candlemas, Being a Writing Beast and a Birthday Haul
Things I'm writing, things I'm reading, things I'm teaching...
open.substack.com
February 4, 2026 at 11:08 AM
This is a tremendous story:
Reposted by Claraisreading 🌿💙📚📚
It's a cold, blustery Tuesday morning in #Orkney but #BookyMcBookface is sailing away on the ferry to the lovely island of Shapinsay. ❤️
If you see Booky today then go and get some books! 📚
If you see Booky today then go and get some books! 📚
February 3, 2026 at 9:12 AM
It's a cold, blustery Tuesday morning in #Orkney but #BookyMcBookface is sailing away on the ferry to the lovely island of Shapinsay. ❤️
If you see Booky today then go and get some books! 📚
If you see Booky today then go and get some books! 📚
Reposted by Claraisreading 🌿💙📚📚
Volunteer #librarians from around the world joined forces to build the Nancy Drew collection on Open Library—volunteering their time to organize series, verify editions, untangle authorship, and clean up metadata so anyone can discover these books.
Learn more ➡️ blog.openlibrary.org/2026/01/30/a...
Learn more ➡️ blog.openlibrary.org/2026/01/30/a...
February 3, 2026 at 3:30 AM
Volunteer #librarians from around the world joined forces to build the Nancy Drew collection on Open Library—volunteering their time to organize series, verify editions, untangle authorship, and clean up metadata so anyone can discover these books.
Learn more ➡️ blog.openlibrary.org/2026/01/30/a...
Learn more ➡️ blog.openlibrary.org/2026/01/30/a...
Reposted by Claraisreading 🌿💙📚📚
Tomorrow, London's Science Fiction Book Club discusses The Word for World Is Forest:
The Word for World is Forest by Ursula K. Le Guin
Mon, 2nd Feb 2026 @ 6:00 pm - 9:30 pm - A world of peaceful aliens conquered by bloodthirsty yumens, their existence is irrevocably altered. Forced into servitude, the Athsheans find themselves at the...
www.sciencefictionbookclub.org
February 1, 2026 at 8:38 PM
Tomorrow, London's Science Fiction Book Club discusses The Word for World Is Forest:
Reposted by Claraisreading 🌿💙📚📚
It's Sunday, it's 8pm so it must be #WildFlowerHour!
Please share pix of any wild or naturalised plants you spotted in bloom last week across Britain & Ireland.
Mystery plant? Use #WildFlowerID to summon help from the friendly @wildflowerhour.bsky.social botanical community!
Please share pix of any wild or naturalised plants you spotted in bloom last week across Britain & Ireland.
Mystery plant? Use #WildFlowerID to summon help from the friendly @wildflowerhour.bsky.social botanical community!
The Radnor Lily or Early Star of Bethlehem (Gagea Bohemica) is a fabulous little plant. The leaves are small and grass-like and easily go unnoticed. But in mid winter a few of these plants pop up beautiful yellow flowers at their only known British site. #wildflowerhour @bsbibotany.bsky.social
February 1, 2026 at 8:03 PM
It's Sunday, it's 8pm so it must be #WildFlowerHour!
Please share pix of any wild or naturalised plants you spotted in bloom last week across Britain & Ireland.
Mystery plant? Use #WildFlowerID to summon help from the friendly @wildflowerhour.bsky.social botanical community!
Please share pix of any wild or naturalised plants you spotted in bloom last week across Britain & Ireland.
Mystery plant? Use #WildFlowerID to summon help from the friendly @wildflowerhour.bsky.social botanical community!
For this week’s #WildflowerHour, a Sweet Violet in flower; Dogs’ Mercury which seems to send its shoots up with buds at the ready; the first rosettes of early bluebell leaves at the foot of a Hazel in the woods; and the tight buds of male Holly flowers. Buds as Imbolc reminders Spring is on its way!
February 1, 2026 at 8:31 PM
For this week’s #WildflowerHour, a Sweet Violet in flower; Dogs’ Mercury which seems to send its shoots up with buds at the ready; the first rosettes of early bluebell leaves at the foot of a Hazel in the woods; and the tight buds of male Holly flowers. Buds as Imbolc reminders Spring is on its way!
“Dorothy Hartley, the great historian of English food and folklore, was so immersed in her subject that she’d sometimes answer the phone with: ‘Go away, I’m in the fourteenth century.’” by Charlotte Mendelson, from her introduction to a VMC edition of a Mary Renault novel.
February 1, 2026 at 6:32 PM
“Dorothy Hartley, the great historian of English food and folklore, was so immersed in her subject that she’d sometimes answer the phone with: ‘Go away, I’m in the fourteenth century.’” by Charlotte Mendelson, from her introduction to a VMC edition of a Mary Renault novel.
Reposted by Claraisreading 🌿💙📚📚
READ: Saving the oceans can sometimes feel like an overwhelming task, but if we all pitch in, we can make a big difference.
While there are countless ways you can make a difference, here are our top 10 ways you can help save the oceans 👉 https://oceana.ly/4c0yD4p
While there are countless ways you can make a difference, here are our top 10 ways you can help save the oceans 👉 https://oceana.ly/4c0yD4p
January 31, 2026 at 7:52 PM
READ: Saving the oceans can sometimes feel like an overwhelming task, but if we all pitch in, we can make a big difference.
While there are countless ways you can make a difference, here are our top 10 ways you can help save the oceans 👉 https://oceana.ly/4c0yD4p
While there are countless ways you can make a difference, here are our top 10 ways you can help save the oceans 👉 https://oceana.ly/4c0yD4p
Reposted by Claraisreading 🌿💙📚📚
I see that I Know Where I’m Going! is on BBC2 at 11.05am tomorrow morning and I’m adding my name to the chorus of voices saying that it’s wonderful, do watch it.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
BBC Two - I Know Where I'm Going!
A headstrong girl who intends to marry for money finds love in a Scottish coastal town.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 30, 2026 at 10:43 PM
I see that I Know Where I’m Going! is on BBC2 at 11.05am tomorrow morning and I’m adding my name to the chorus of voices saying that it’s wonderful, do watch it.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
Reposted by Claraisreading 🌿💙📚📚
Heartbreaking for those trying to care for them
Today I was in the Kyiv Botanical Garden. Plants in the greenhouse are freezing due to constant power and heat outages. Workers are doing everything they can to save them.
January 29, 2026 at 6:16 AM
Heartbreaking for those trying to care for them