Roland Allen, author of 'The Notebook: a History'
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Roland Allen, author of 'The Notebook: a History'
@zibaldoni.bsky.social
山人. 'The Notebook: a History of Thinking on Paper' is available everywhere. 'Book of the Year' pick by Waterstones, New Yorker, New Statesman, Spectator, Toronto Globe, Engelsberg Ideas, Lit Hub, Austin Kleon, Ryan Holiday, Stephen L. Carter...
Pinned
I’d not be doing social media at all if it wasn’t part of the ‘being a conscientious author’ job description. By which I mean, an author who wants to help their publisher get their book read by as many people as possible. But what’s my book about, and where did it come from?
End-of-year repost of my authorial origin story🧵. Features: furious resentment, notebooks.
I’d not be doing social media at all if it wasn’t part of the ‘being a conscientious author’ job description. By which I mean, an author who wants to help their publisher get their book read by as many people as possible. But what’s my book about, and where did it come from?
December 27, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Reposted by Roland Allen, author of 'The Notebook: a History'
On 🎄, finished "The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper" by @zibaldoni.bsky.social . As one who still uses notebooks, I enjoyed the history, and uses of, this seemingly simple tool, especially the psychological aspects. For fellow Moleskine (or your preferred vendor) nerds, 10/10 recommend.
December 26, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Reposted by Roland Allen, author of 'The Notebook: a History'
Look, I'm sure that Nolan's adaptation of "The Odyssey" will be fun, but I highly doubt it will be as good as the original.
December 25, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Reposted by Roland Allen, author of 'The Notebook: a History'
Clean your kitchen. Make the tiger less agitated
November 25, 2024 at 11:25 PM
Absolute banger of a thread...
Absolutely nobody asked for this BUT

English Anglican cathedrals that have burned down, fallen over, and sank into the swamp: a thread.
December 18, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Reposted by Roland Allen, author of 'The Notebook: a History'
Behold: the first-ever list of news outlets that have banned generative AI in their reporting. As of today, this is literally information that you cannot find on Google.

My goal is to fill the starter pack, so please send over suggestions with supporting evidence!

go.bsky.app/8cn1XfT
December 17, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Reposted by Roland Allen, author of 'The Notebook: a History'
Recent editorial exchanges remind me to broadcast: I maintain a small freelance editing practice, and will have some space free for new clients in the new year. I help writers both scholarly and otherwise, as well as institutional clients. A short description here: benwurgaft.org/editing/
December 17, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Reposted by Roland Allen, author of 'The Notebook: a History'
December 14, 2025 at 2:52 AM
Oh God:

'Truss and Tchenguiz stress that there will be an artificial intelligence aspect to The Leconfield, to facilitate deals between members by deducing who should work with whom. Tchenguiz, who compares it to ChatGPT but “10 levels higher”, says Truss will “run the AI aspect”.'
December 13, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Reposted by Roland Allen, author of 'The Notebook: a History'
SKULL OF THOMAS AQUINAS: TAKE A LEFT NOW
PRIEST: No, the GPS says we have to keep going—
SKULL: I KNOW A SHORTCUT
PRIEST: Do you remember the last ti—
SKULL: FOR THOSE WITH FAITH, NO EVIDENCE IS NECESSARY; FOR THOSE WITHOUT IT, NO EVIDENCE WILL SUFFICE
'Skull of St. Thomas Aquinas being transported to Fossanova Abbey.'
Photograph by Daniel Ibanez
December 10, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Something I do fairly regularly is listen to Exile on Main St as loud as I possibly can. I've been doing this since I was 16 and, having turned 50, can't imagine I will ever stop.
December 10, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Someone needs to sit down with the 'Jai Alai' episodes of Mad Men...

www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Paul Pogba invests in Saudi Arabian camel racing team and aims to ‘elevate the sport’
The Monaco midfielder Paul Pogba has invested in the world’s first professional camel racing team
www.theguardian.com
December 10, 2025 at 1:45 PM
An inspiring thread for those of us contemplating 'Canon TR7600 scanner functionality' and whether it may precede 'mortality'.
Thoughts and prayers as I attempt to update the firmware on the printer
December 7, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Reposted by Roland Allen, author of 'The Notebook: a History'
keep on truckin little your party
November 30, 2025 at 11:14 AM
and... JC chooses to illustrate the 'Your Party' concept with... a picture of himself in front of an adoring crowd!

10/10 no notes.
It’s always been Your Party.
December 4, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Reposted by Roland Allen, author of 'The Notebook: a History'
It made me smile, so I'm sharing with alt text.
December 4, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Reposted by Roland Allen, author of 'The Notebook: a History'
Love it 🙌
December 4, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Reposted by Roland Allen, author of 'The Notebook: a History'
December 3, 2025 at 5:37 AM
@afuahirsch.bsky.social I like the Legacy podcast very much and recently shared it with my daughter... who pointed out that your illustrations are all horrible AI slop art. Possible for your producers not to use this? It's a terrible practice...
December 2, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Reposted by Roland Allen, author of 'The Notebook: a History'
German-speaking academia was at the absolute forefront in the early 20th century before the Nazis and never really recovered from the tremendous damage done then, and it's starting to feel like Anglophone research could be going the same way
This is the most alarming story I’ve read today. Giving up the fight before it’s started
November 30, 2025 at 10:41 AM
Reposted by Roland Allen, author of 'The Notebook: a History'
R.I.P. Tom Stoppard, playwright most famous for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead.

Born Tomas Straussler in Czechoslovakia he fled his home during the Nazi occupation and found refuge in Britain at the age of eight. He later discovered all four of his grandparents had died in the Holocaust.
Sir Tom Stoppard, playwright famed for his wit and depth, dies at 88
Winning an Oscar for the screenplay for Shakespeare In Love, he captivated the hearts of audiences for more than six decades.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 29, 2025 at 9:13 PM
I'm in.
Bong Joon Ho hit me up for the squad you legend deadline.com/2025/11/bong...
November 29, 2025 at 5:56 PM
I find this quite relatable
That said, too many companies refuse to do ANY training and yet will proudly be like, "We do things different here" and it's a completely fucked up system that no one does for a reason.
November 29, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Reposted by Roland Allen, author of 'The Notebook: a History'
#IMC2026, Weds, 8 July, 7pm! Four medievalists who've published 'trade' books will discuss the process - from finding an agent to working with publishers & beyond. Sponsored by @ihr.bsky.social. @realmandeville.bsky.social @saracharles.bsky.social @eleanormaybaker.bsky.social @imc-leeds.bsky.social
November 29, 2025 at 1:19 PM