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?
Important: shirt is to be worn tucked into the jeans, revealing the 'Harley Davidson' belt buckle.
February 13, 2026 at 1:19 PM
Important: shirt is to be worn tucked into the jeans, revealing the 'Harley Davidson' belt buckle.
Oh god. Over black dress shoes.
February 13, 2026 at 11:26 AM
Oh god. Over black dress shoes.
This speaks well of your amiably stoic nature. I spent three years daydreaming of flame-throwers and to this day refuse point blank to speak to anyone wearing a rugby shirt.
February 13, 2026 at 12:12 AM
This speaks well of your amiably stoic nature. I spent three years daydreaming of flame-throwers and to this day refuse point blank to speak to anyone wearing a rugby shirt.
Reposted by Roland Allen, author of 'The Notebook: a History'
The study points to using libraries and visiting museums as bringing these enormous brain health benefits ... who would have thought? Well, librarians and museum folk for a start ... www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
Reading and writing can lower dementia risk by almost 40%, study finds
Cognitive health in later life is ‘strongly influenced’ by lifelong exposure to intellectually stimulating environments, say researchers
www.theguardian.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:57 AM
The study points to using libraries and visiting museums as bringing these enormous brain health benefits ... who would have thought? Well, librarians and museum folk for a start ... www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
Wired review THE NOTEBOOK, alongside a bunch of notebooks, and I couldn't be happier... Thank you @wired.com...
www.wired.com/gallery/the-...
www.wired.com/gallery/the-...
February 9, 2026 at 8:32 PM
Wired review THE NOTEBOOK, alongside a bunch of notebooks, and I couldn't be happier... Thank you @wired.com...
www.wired.com/gallery/the-...
www.wired.com/gallery/the-...
Reposted by Roland Allen, author of 'The Notebook: a History'
[previously in the NYT]
Hart: i've sold AI to to Brockway, Ogdenville and North Haverbrook and by gum it put them on the map
NYT: wow! sounds legit!
Hart: and look! i've got your nose!
NYT: OH MY GAWD
NYT: are you a wizard??
Hart: i've sold AI to to Brockway, Ogdenville and North Haverbrook and by gum it put them on the map
NYT: wow! sounds legit!
Hart: and look! i've got your nose!
NYT: OH MY GAWD
NYT: are you a wizard??
February 9, 2026 at 4:42 PM
[previously in the NYT]
Hart: i've sold AI to to Brockway, Ogdenville and North Haverbrook and by gum it put them on the map
NYT: wow! sounds legit!
Hart: and look! i've got your nose!
NYT: OH MY GAWD
NYT: are you a wizard??
Hart: i've sold AI to to Brockway, Ogdenville and North Haverbrook and by gum it put them on the map
NYT: wow! sounds legit!
Hart: and look! i've got your nose!
NYT: OH MY GAWD
NYT: are you a wizard??
Splendid work!
February 9, 2026 at 11:14 AM
Splendid work!
But it comes back to music. Just switch it on, and you can tell that FIP's made by people who love music and want to share it. Switch on Spotify and you can tell it's made by people who love share options, ever-growing subscription revenues, and the prospect of AI making all the 'content'. End. 8/8
February 8, 2026 at 12:26 PM
But it comes back to music. Just switch it on, and you can tell that FIP's made by people who love music and want to share it. Switch on Spotify and you can tell it's made by people who love share options, ever-growing subscription revenues, and the prospect of AI making all the 'content'. End. 8/8
Daniel Ek is a billionaire. We don't need billionaires. In fact we actively need there not to be billionaires. 7/n
February 8, 2026 at 12:22 PM
Daniel Ek is a billionaire. We don't need billionaires. In fact we actively need there not to be billionaires. 7/n
Spotify rips off musicians. One play earns them a fraction of a cent. (Largely as a result of terrible deals agreed by big record companies). Radio play rates are higher and fairer. 5/n
February 8, 2026 at 12:17 PM
Spotify rips off musicians. One play earns them a fraction of a cent. (Largely as a result of terrible deals agreed by big record companies). Radio play rates are higher and fairer. 5/n
Spotify has a frankly ridiculous carbon footprint.
medium.com/midform/the-... 4/n
medium.com/midform/the-... 4/n
The carbon footprint of Spotify
About the hidden cost of streaming on your favorite platform to the environment
medium.com
February 8, 2026 at 12:10 PM
Spotify has a frankly ridiculous carbon footprint.
medium.com/midform/the-... 4/n
medium.com/midform/the-... 4/n
Whereas Spotify just gives you more of what you like. This will not tend to broaden or blow your mind. 3/n
February 8, 2026 at 12:07 PM
Whereas Spotify just gives you more of what you like. This will not tend to broaden or blow your mind. 3/n
It absolutely is a constant stream of varied and interesting music. They have a crack team of programmers who make it all flow. Multilingual, lots of 'world' sounds, old and new. 2/n
February 8, 2026 at 12:06 PM
It absolutely is a constant stream of varied and interesting music. They have a crack team of programmers who make it all flow. Multilingual, lots of 'world' sounds, old and new. 2/n
Hi Lykle sorry for slow reply - can you email me details? roly.allen8@gmail.com
February 7, 2026 at 8:32 AM
Hi Lykle sorry for slow reply - can you email me details? roly.allen8@gmail.com
This market was destroyed by Candy Crush, Instagram, and podcasts. 'Casual' reading is becoming even more of a minority occupation than it was before.
February 6, 2026 at 11:03 PM
This market was destroyed by Candy Crush, Instagram, and podcasts. 'Casual' reading is becoming even more of a minority occupation than it was before.
Interesting article but a pity that Rabinowitz swallowed the Penguin origin myth (the real story's much more interesting) and there were 'a few hundred' bookstores in the united states? Really? Like 6 or 7 per state...? Colour me skeptical...
February 6, 2026 at 11:01 PM
Interesting article but a pity that Rabinowitz swallowed the Penguin origin myth (the real story's much more interesting) and there were 'a few hundred' bookstores in the united states? Really? Like 6 or 7 per state...? Colour me skeptical...
As I understand it, the Mirandolas supplied his start-up capital. Good spot on the day!
February 6, 2026 at 10:40 PM
As I understand it, the Mirandolas supplied his start-up capital. Good spot on the day!
I avoid citing Franco Moretti but haven't footnoted why. How do you phase it?
February 6, 2026 at 1:11 PM
I avoid citing Franco Moretti but haven't footnoted why. How do you phase it?
Reposted by Roland Allen, author of 'The Notebook: a History'
Name them
shame them
shame them
February 5, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Name them
shame them
shame them
A case of duty meeting pleasure.
February 5, 2026 at 9:47 PM
A case of duty meeting pleasure.
I was just about to reply, 'with a but in between those two characteristics...'
February 5, 2026 at 2:51 PM
I was just about to reply, 'with a but in between those two characteristics...'
The concept of 'Hiding behind servers' should be a bigger part of the discourse. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
February 5, 2026 at 9:37 AM
The concept of 'Hiding behind servers' should be a bigger part of the discourse. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
You really should have done it.
February 4, 2026 at 10:06 PM
You really should have done it.