Benjamin Judge
@benjaminjudge.bsky.social
Writer. Reader.
I have decided to draw every species of bird even though I'm not very good at drawing birds. Why not, eh? Birds are cool.
benjaminjudge.com
I have decided to draw every species of bird even though I'm not very good at drawing birds. Why not, eh? Birds are cool.
benjaminjudge.com
Took a big book on a long train journey without reading the first twenty pages to see if I like it or not.
I don’t like it.
I don’t like it.
October 23, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Took a big book on a long train journey without reading the first twenty pages to see if I like it or not.
I don’t like it.
I don’t like it.
Today’s haul from Renewal North West in Stockport. £9.30 for the lot. What a shop.
October 18, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Today’s haul from Renewal North West in Stockport. £9.30 for the lot. What a shop.
Went to Stockport. Met this guy.
October 18, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Went to Stockport. Met this guy.
Managed to have the busiest day ever in and around Liverpool. Two museums, one art gallery, one film, twenty two charity shops (five new lps) and just over twelve miles of walking.
October 10, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Managed to have the busiest day ever in and around Liverpool. Two museums, one art gallery, one film, twenty two charity shops (five new lps) and just over twelve miles of walking.
Thought it would be rude to set up a reviews site without auditioning for the job. So I’m starting off by doing a quick best-of-human-civilisation round-up, so you can see if our tastes align. Part one covers everything up to the year 1500. Don’t think I missed anything.
The Audition: Part One…
…from the Lower Palaeolithic to 1500 Right. Shall we get started. The biggie of the Lower Palaeolithic, even bigger than fire, was the invention of language which, until recently, seemed to b…
benjaminjudge.com
October 10, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Thought it would be rude to set up a reviews site without auditioning for the job. So I’m starting off by doing a quick best-of-human-civilisation round-up, so you can see if our tastes align. Part one covers everything up to the year 1500. Don’t think I missed anything.
Had a go at this Chariya Khattiyot recipe in the latest Sainsbury’s Magazine. Not only was it really easy (see photo) but it’s easily in the top ten tastiest things I’ve ever cooked. Very much recommended.
September 9, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Had a go at this Chariya Khattiyot recipe in the latest Sainsbury’s Magazine. Not only was it really easy (see photo) but it’s easily in the top ten tastiest things I’ve ever cooked. Very much recommended.
Today’s plan: Have a think about how the summer is going to work and,weather permitting, clear some more brambles out the garden.
Today’s listening:
Today’s listening:
July 23, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Today’s plan: Have a think about how the summer is going to work and,weather permitting, clear some more brambles out the garden.
Today’s listening:
Today’s listening:
Today’s plan: try to be reasonably productive but no pressure because it’s already too hot for that sort of thing.
Today’s listening…
Today’s listening…
July 11, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Today’s plan: try to be reasonably productive but no pressure because it’s already too hot for that sort of thing.
Today’s listening…
Today’s listening…
Look how much fun I had in Oslo last month.
July 9, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Look how much fun I had in Oslo last month.
Went to see the new Jurassic World. Again, the plot revolves the fact that the world got bored of dinosaurs. We never tire of fireworks, Andy Williams had a seventy four year career and we relaunch Tamagotchi twice a decade, but sure, lizards the size of buses, limited shelf life right there.
July 8, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Went to see the new Jurassic World. Again, the plot revolves the fact that the world got bored of dinosaurs. We never tire of fireworks, Andy Williams had a seventy four year career and we relaunch Tamagotchi twice a decade, but sure, lizards the size of buses, limited shelf life right there.
Today’s plans: Try again at finishing a short story, plan a walk for next week, book some cinema tickets, tackle the monster brambles that have taken over half the garden.
Today’s listening:
Today’s listening:
July 3, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Today’s plans: Try again at finishing a short story, plan a walk for next week, book some cinema tickets, tackle the monster brambles that have taken over half the garden.
Today’s listening:
Today’s listening:
Today’s plans: next draft of a new story, work out what to cook next week, start thinking about the six weeks holiday, watch an episode of Elsbeth.
Today’s listening:
Today’s listening:
July 2, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Today’s plans: next draft of a new story, work out what to cook next week, start thinking about the six weeks holiday, watch an episode of Elsbeth.
Today’s listening:
Today’s listening:
I went to Blackpool today and took this very grown up and mature photo.
April 3, 2025 at 3:55 PM
I went to Blackpool today and took this very grown up and mature photo.
Living it up in first class, on a twelve minute train journey, because it was 10p cheaper than a standard ticket. Comfy seats though, and everyone gets a table. Pretty fancy.
March 17, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Living it up in first class, on a twelve minute train journey, because it was 10p cheaper than a standard ticket. Comfy seats though, and everyone gets a table. Pretty fancy.
Just found this painting in a charity shop. Possibly the best three pounds I’ll ever spend.
February 17, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Just found this painting in a charity shop. Possibly the best three pounds I’ll ever spend.
About to watch a scary film double bill at the cinema so I decided to settle my nerves with this incredibly soothing artwork. I am currently very calm. Time to see some ghosts/werewolves.
January 26, 2025 at 11:05 AM
About to watch a scary film double bill at the cinema so I decided to settle my nerves with this incredibly soothing artwork. I am currently very calm. Time to see some ghosts/werewolves.
I had some cavolo nero with my tea. I have singing cavolo nero to the tune of Could It Be Magic for about two hours now.
January 19, 2025 at 6:33 PM
I had some cavolo nero with my tea. I have singing cavolo nero to the tune of Could It Be Magic for about two hours now.
Just about to treat myself to a six minute journey on Greater Manchester’s quietest rail service. Reddish South to Denton. One train each way a week. Only 54 passengers recorded on the line in 2023/24.
January 18, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Just about to treat myself to a six minute journey on Greater Manchester’s quietest rail service. Reddish South to Denton. One train each way a week. Only 54 passengers recorded on the line in 2023/24.
Quite pleased with my new LEGO set.
January 11, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Quite pleased with my new LEGO set.
In which I decide whether Billy Swan can, actually, help.
Billy Swan – I Can Help
He’s called Billy Swan and there is a swan on the front cover. It says choo-choo choose you. How could I not buy this album for thirty pence or however much it cost me? A lot of you will be f…
benjaminjudge.com
January 7, 2025 at 3:04 PM
In which I decide whether Billy Swan can, actually, help.
My resolution to try to find more time to read going pretty well so far. Book five of 2025 finished.
I bought this last year in a charity shop that had some stunningly overpriced vinyl. I pretended the book was really rare as I bought it to wind up the manager. I’m not a good person.
I bought this last year in a charity shop that had some stunningly overpriced vinyl. I pretended the book was really rare as I bought it to wind up the manager. I’m not a good person.
January 6, 2025 at 2:56 PM
My resolution to try to find more time to read going pretty well so far. Book five of 2025 finished.
I bought this last year in a charity shop that had some stunningly overpriced vinyl. I pretended the book was really rare as I bought it to wind up the manager. I’m not a good person.
I bought this last year in a charity shop that had some stunningly overpriced vinyl. I pretended the book was really rare as I bought it to wind up the manager. I’m not a good person.
My favourite bit of Nosferatu was when he travelled from Romania to Germany by boat.
January 6, 2025 at 1:15 PM
My favourite bit of Nosferatu was when he travelled from Romania to Germany by boat.
Forget every best-of-2024 list you have seen so far. This is the only one you need. This is the one that will make you reassess what you experienced last year and what you want to achieve in 2025. Presenting... my best crisps of 2024.
The best crisps (and crisp adjacent products) I ate in 2024
I’m not saying crisps are better than Shakespeare but make two lists, one of Shakespeare plays and one of crisps, and tell me which is the longest. Sure, some of you will tell me that your Sh…
benjaminjudge.com
January 4, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Forget every best-of-2024 list you have seen so far. This is the only one you need. This is the one that will make you reassess what you experienced last year and what you want to achieve in 2025. Presenting... my best crisps of 2024.
Here's the least useful books-of-2024-round-up you'll see today. One book, already out of print. You do need to track down a copy though, because it is all sorts of incredible.
A book from 2024 that I thought was great
Covid really did a number on my TBR pile. Faced with the prospect of loads of time stuck in the house, and the thought that lockdown would inevitably lead to several small publishers going under, I…
benjaminjudge.com
January 3, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Here's the least useful books-of-2024-round-up you'll see today. One book, already out of print. You do need to track down a copy though, because it is all sorts of incredible.