Jillian Robinson
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jillianrobinson.bsky.social
Jillian Robinson
@jillianrobinson.bsky.social
Pocket reckons about books and life
Toitū te tiriti
She/her
Use people with human skills for goodness sakes! Book design matters. When it’s poorly done - include AI in that - it’s an irritant that intrudes on the whole of the reading experience. Good on the Ockhams for holding the position. #pukapuka #booksky
newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/17/o...
Ockhams dump books from awards over AI covers
A new ruling on AI means the Ockhams are in the strange position of judging a book by its cover
newsroom.co.nz
November 21, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Sometimes it’s the little things: From the ‘60s : my Dad’s decimal reckoner - which I don’t use - and his Collins English Gem dictionary which, of all the dictionaries I own and of all those on line, is my go to, every single day #pukapuka #booksky #dictionaries
November 20, 2025 at 2:22 AM
‘The first writer I watched at work was my stepfather, E.B White.’ The Elements of Style, Strunk and White.
#BookySky
📚 #WritingLifeMonthly November Day 02 📚

It feels a little voyeuristic to ask for a peek inside your bedtime read, but you can learn a lot from a first line.

#writingcommunity #BookSky #BookSky💙📚 #bookskyclub #bookish #books #tbr #tbrpile #indie #amreading
November 2, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Are you a library user in Aotearoa? Love your library? Give them some feedback. The survey took about two minutes - less time than it’s taken for me to post this! #pukapuka

www.surveymonkey.com/r/9YRW5C7
2025 Library Community Impact Survey
Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.
www.surveymonkey.com
October 29, 2025 at 6:15 AM
Why, oh why haven’t I been reading more Chekhov? Or, more specifically, Chekhov through the lens of the multi-talented George Saunders?

Those thoughts reframed: minus the regret - no time for that - thank goodness I’m on to it now. #amustread #booksky #pukapuka #Chekhov #GeorgeSaunders
October 27, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Reposted by Jillian Robinson
Tuesday - storm causing significant damage and one death
Thursday - bigger storm resulting in state of emergency
Monday - storm forecast to hit same region, which is still without power in some areas

NACTFirst govt - argues for MORE fossil fuel
October 25, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Reposted by Jillian Robinson
A #BookerPrize for
Children's literature 8-12yrs

‘an award that will champion future classics written for children; a social intervention designed to inspire more young people to read; & a seed from which we hope future generations of lifelong readers will grow'

thebookerprizes.com/the-children...
The Children’s Booker Prize | The Booker Prizes
The prize, to be awarded annually from 2027 and supported by AKO Foundation, will celebrate the best contemporary fiction for children aged eight to 12 years old
thebookerprizes.com
October 24, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Reposted by Jillian Robinson
Wellington weather update: our weather station blew away overnight
October 20, 2025 at 8:19 PM
The enchanting and mesmerising Wand Dance by Len Lye - an artist of and ahead of his time.
Len Lye Centre, New Plymouth. #KiwiGetAway #SoulFood #kikorangi #ArtSky
October 14, 2025 at 2:30 AM
October 11, 2025 at 2:35 AM
Twice in two days: careful walking down that slope dear🙄The ground’s uneven, there’s foliage.🙄🙄🙄 #getreal #I’mnotthatoldyet
October 10, 2025 at 5:16 AM
Dramatic spot for a Surf Life guard watch tower, Kai Iwi
#KiwiGetAway #Kikorangi
October 9, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Reposted by Jillian Robinson
After meeting Myanmar's revolutionary groups and political prisoners, NZ politicians say we must offer more than 'nice words on paper'
NZ must reject 'sham' Myanmar election, MPs say
newsroom.co.nz
October 4, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Hato Hōhepa ki Hiruhārama
#kikorangi
October 9, 2025 at 6:08 AM
Reposted by Jillian Robinson
Unsolicited writing advice, no. 189:
There are many different ways to be a writer. Being a professional writer is only one of them. All are valid.
October 6, 2025 at 10:06 AM
What a heartwarming interview about books and writing with Trent Dalton, plus the best observation ever about ‘The Grapes of Wrath’. thespinoff.co.nz/books/01-10-... #pukapuka #blueskybooks #TrentDalton
‘Beautiful and full of hope and love’: Trent Dalton’s life in books
"I’ve learned far more truths about myself in fiction than I ever did in journalism."
thespinoff.co.nz
October 1, 2025 at 6:42 AM
Reposted by Jillian Robinson
Looks like a good time in the news cycle to tackle three big myths 🧵
❌ NZ pension costs are an unsustainable burden ❌
Seriously, no, for lots of reasons.
1. Our current Govt spending on pensions is low compared to most other advanced economies. And... [1/n]
September 28, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Reposted by Jillian Robinson
Just your regular reminder that Chris Bishop is both chair of the National Party Campaign Committee, dependent on donations from businesses for a successful campaign, and the Infrastructure Minister, who decides if businesses get to access the RMA fast track process.
September 19, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Reposted by Jillian Robinson
In a historic first, iwi leaders and unions have united to call for mass mobilisations against the Government on the 28th of October. Rā Whakamana will affirm tino rangatiratanga and workers' rights and mark He Whakaputanga and the first Labour Day in Aotearoa.
September 19, 2025 at 7:43 AM
So, could this mean the internet will be irrelevant to us humans - might be a good thing - or will the Bots have taken over?
September 15, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Reposted by Jillian Robinson
100 Māori words every New Zealander should know

#TeWikiOTeReoMāori
100 Māori words every New Zealander should know
waateanews.com
September 14, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Reposted by Jillian Robinson
Unsolicited writing advice, no. 32: Before you begin to create a piece of work (art, music, poem, book), try asking: "What am I trying to communicate?" If you don't know the answer, then maybe you need to go back and find out...
September 14, 2025 at 5:18 PM
I saw #ungeographic yesterday at Pātaka … perhaps it’s more accurate to say I experienced it. Go if you can.
pataka.org.nz/whats-on/exh... #history #legacy #slavery #kikorangi
Jasmine Togo-Brisby: ungeographic
Jasmine Togo-Brisby: ungeographic. A large-scale exhibition by internationally acclaimed, Australian South Sea artist Jasmine Togo-Brisby. 26 July–9 November 2025. Pātaka Art+Museum
pataka.org.nz
September 13, 2025 at 4:44 AM
Reposted by Jillian Robinson
Does reading make better people/people better?
A case for collective reading for compassion
open.substack.com
September 9, 2025 at 10:23 PM
In stark contrast to my previous read, Catherine Chidgey’s The Book of Guilt, it might seem that in My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout, not much happens. #booksky #literaryfiction #books #ElizabethStrout #MyNameIsLucyBarton 🧵1/4
September 10, 2025 at 9:18 PM