I have to say, I'm liking my zero-effort wildflower garden as much as the bees seem to be

I'm curious about what lay behind the decision to title the UK version of Catherine Nixey's latest 'Heresy' and the US one 'Heretic'. The distinction between two very different words must have mattered to someone. Terrific book, though.

And of course, no devotee of Middlemarch can stop by in Rome and not pay a visit to St Theresa (Bernini)

When I was a kid at Sunday school in Essex our church was probably decorated with, at most, illustrations from a Ladybird book showing the Sermon on the Mount, or the Wedding at Cana.

In Rome, they have Caravaggios.

Cormorant flexing his guns over the Cam just now

Somehow I was slow to pick up on How to Speak Whale by @tommustill.bsky.social when first out, but delighted to have given it time now. Novel, fascinating and uplifting - with warnings. Beautifully clear writing, Mustill also knows the power of a good metaphor, and of crafting a memorable line.

Rather handsome little egret spotted yesterday, of all places, at Sainsbury's. Probably picking up lunch too, I suppose.

On a weekend course on Roman /Anglo Saxon archaeology - fabulous late Roman (c.450 CE) pottery samples. The pale marks are where the potter held the pot with her/his fingertips when dipping it in the coloured slip before firing.

My indie bookshop edition of The Unrecovered by @richardstrachan.bsky.social! Check out the fabulous edging! Students have already asked me about this; I'll look forward to letting them know!

Ooh, now THAT'S how to wrap a book! Great job @goldenharebooks.bsky.social. But what's inside..?

Who'd have thought a novel about Hellenic Syracuse told in modern Irish vernacular would be so brilliant and funny? Ferdia Lennon, obviously

Rather lovely sky outside my house right now - Venus and the newest Moon I've seen for some time

This looks like a great charity Tesco. But how about this: instead of asking me to round up my £2.20 bill by 80p, how about you reduce my bill by the same amount and donate it yourself?

Er, no Amazon

I'm completely charmed by the format of this book! 23.5 x 13.5cm (9.25 x 5.25 in). Tall and slim. Also delighted to read primatology narratives by a fellow 19C English scholar, Mary Sanders Pollock of Stetson Uni, FL. Much looking forward.