DoctorGRAW
@doctorgraw.bsky.social
Enthusiastic Reader of sci-fi/fantasy/horror and mystery esp tartan noir. Life long Doctor Who fan. By day, a Scottish Chemistry prof in the US active in community science outreach.
Very much enjoyed that 3rd volume - 2nd didn't grab me as much but Deep is great.
I'm still working on Tom's Crossing and adding a wee bit of Star Wars. Don't normally keep up with those books but picked up because I liked the non-SW @adamchristopher.me especially Empire State and it's sequel.
I'm still working on Tom's Crossing and adding a wee bit of Star Wars. Don't normally keep up with those books but picked up because I liked the non-SW @adamchristopher.me especially Empire State and it's sequel.
November 10, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Very much enjoyed that 3rd volume - 2nd didn't grab me as much but Deep is great.
I'm still working on Tom's Crossing and adding a wee bit of Star Wars. Don't normally keep up with those books but picked up because I liked the non-SW @adamchristopher.me especially Empire State and it's sequel.
I'm still working on Tom's Crossing and adding a wee bit of Star Wars. Don't normally keep up with those books but picked up because I liked the non-SW @adamchristopher.me especially Empire State and it's sequel.
Some light reading this week: latest volume in Malazan series (Book 2 of a sequel trilogy to the original 10) and the new Mark Danielewski (House of Leaves, The Familiar) which is a 1200+ page monster.
November 3, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Some light reading this week: latest volume in Malazan series (Book 2 of a sequel trilogy to the original 10) and the new Mark Danielewski (House of Leaves, The Familiar) which is a 1200+ page monster.
Finally got home and a couple of absolute units of gorgeous in the mailbox. Leviathan is from @lividian.bsky.social press by way of @subpress.bsky.social and the final volume in the Matthew Corbett series. Signed boxed, #661 of 750. Embassytown also signed from @thebrokenbinding.bsky.social
November 1, 2025 at 6:26 AM
Finally got home and a couple of absolute units of gorgeous in the mailbox. Leviathan is from @lividian.bsky.social press by way of @subpress.bsky.social and the final volume in the Matthew Corbett series. Signed boxed, #661 of 750. Embassytown also signed from @thebrokenbinding.bsky.social
Busy week so just one on the stack but it's a brick of a book...
October 28, 2025 at 6:15 AM
Busy week so just one on the stack but it's a brick of a book...
New Philosopher Tyrant novella, Billy Bragg oral history and a murdery thing set in the Faroes I found in library book sale.
October 20, 2025 at 4:52 PM
New Philosopher Tyrant novella, Billy Bragg oral history and a murdery thing set in the Faroes I found in library book sale.
Feeling a liitle oppressed by @aptshadow.bsky.social since went to pick up latest order at local bookstore ehich included the new novella and came home to 2 more in the mailbox. Children of Time Reissue is gorgeous
October 16, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Feeling a liitle oppressed by @aptshadow.bsky.social since went to pick up latest order at local bookstore ehich included the new novella and came home to 2 more in the mailbox. Children of Time Reissue is gorgeous
Probably spent more than had hoped but having first seen them back in 1992 at the SECC and many times after coming to the US, I kind of had to plan on Chicago next summer
October 13, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Probably spent more than had hoped but having first seen them back in 1992 at the SECC and many times after coming to the US, I kind of had to plan on Chicago next summer
The Olga Ravn is a wonderful read - i have their new one (the wax child) further down the stack.
This week I'm doing an Ambrose Parry reread since 5th book comes out in US at last and a weird post apocalyptic thing where huge chunks of US uninhabitable because of ticks.
This week I'm doing an Ambrose Parry reread since 5th book comes out in US at last and a weird post apocalyptic thing where huge chunks of US uninhabitable because of ticks.
October 13, 2025 at 2:54 PM
The Olga Ravn is a wonderful read - i have their new one (the wax child) further down the stack.
This week I'm doing an Ambrose Parry reread since 5th book comes out in US at last and a weird post apocalyptic thing where huge chunks of US uninhabitable because of ticks.
This week I'm doing an Ambrose Parry reread since 5th book comes out in US at last and a weird post apocalyptic thing where huge chunks of US uninhabitable because of ticks.
Wrapping up autobiography of front man of 80's Paisley Pop band The Dream Syndicate as been on a Steve Wynn kick after seeing and meeting him after Baseball Project gig. And then tomorrow between labs, frolic to local bookstore for new Pynchon which I suspect will not be light frolicsome reading
October 6, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Wrapping up autobiography of front man of 80's Paisley Pop band The Dream Syndicate as been on a Steve Wynn kick after seeing and meeting him after Baseball Project gig. And then tomorrow between labs, frolic to local bookstore for new Pynchon which I suspect will not be light frolicsome reading
Today's bookmail. Hit Bucket o' Blood books in Chicago when at Riotfest. Had them shipped as flew in so just got box today. Highlights: Filled a couple of gaps in my @annodracula.bsky.social collection, a hardback Triffids (had a battered paperback) and a folk horror movie guide amongst others
October 2, 2025 at 3:26 AM
Today's bookmail. Hit Bucket o' Blood books in Chicago when at Riotfest. Had them shipped as flew in so just got box today. Highlights: Filled a couple of gaps in my @annodracula.bsky.social collection, a hardback Triffids (had a battered paperback) and a folk horror movie guide amongst others
Chunky bookmail today as I got my latest stack from @thebrokenbinding.bsky.social in the form of 4 books and 3 novellas all signed by Ryan Cahill which make up the Bound and the Broken series...
September 30, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Chunky bookmail today as I got my latest stack from @thebrokenbinding.bsky.social in the form of 4 books and 3 novellas all signed by Ryan Cahill which make up the Bound and the Broken series...
Back from travels and getting caught up so got new Sworn Soldier by T. Kingfisher in the mail. Saw the McIlvaney prize by @bloodyscotland.bsky.social was announced and had not gotten to the winner (Midnight King) and the debut prize (Reluctant Spy) yet so pushed these up the queue ....
September 29, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Back from travels and getting caught up so got new Sworn Soldier by T. Kingfisher in the mail. Saw the McIlvaney prize by @bloodyscotland.bsky.social was announced and had not gotten to the winner (Midnight King) and the debut prize (Reluctant Spy) yet so pushed these up the queue ....
Riofest day 2 was mind-blowing. The Damned, The Buzzcocks with stand-out 'Why Can't I Touch it it', Gwar and crushing set by Helmet. But winner was James - 9 piece lineup, great setlist (Sound, Sometimes) and Born of Frustration - lose sight of Tim Booth only for him to pop up right in front of me
September 21, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Riofest day 2 was mind-blowing. The Damned, The Buzzcocks with stand-out 'Why Can't I Touch it it', Gwar and crushing set by Helmet. But winner was James - 9 piece lineup, great setlist (Sound, Sometimes) and Born of Frustration - lose sight of Tim Booth only for him to pop up right in front of me
Riotfest Day 2 and while not as solid as yesterday, my standout band at this year's fest - @wearejames.bsky.social. First saw them way back as an undergrad ~35 years ago in St. Andrews then whenever I can since.. Last few albums are superb (yummy, Extraordinary times) so looking forward to this
September 20, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Riotfest Day 2 and while not as solid as yesterday, my standout band at this year's fest - @wearejames.bsky.social. First saw them way back as an undergrad ~35 years ago in St. Andrews then whenever I can since.. Last few albums are superb (yummy, Extraordinary times) so looking forward to this
Quick chill / food at Riotfest. Most of day at Weird Stage - Shonen Knife, Mac Sabbath and Puddle Pity Party were awesome, Camper Van Beethoven straight down to business and killed it, Hold Steady solid as always and a band crossed off bucket list as finally got to see Sparks Who did not disappoint
September 19, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Quick chill / food at Riotfest. Most of day at Weird Stage - Shonen Knife, Mac Sabbath and Puddle Pity Party were awesome, Camper Van Beethoven straight down to business and killed it, Hold Steady solid as always and a band crossed off bucket list as finally got to see Sparks Who did not disappoint
Excellent gig tonight by Minus 5 and Baseball Project at Thalia Hall in Chicago. Great songwriting and a fun performance by a very tight band (Mike Mills and Peter Buck of REM, Steve Wynn of Dream Syndicate, Scott McCaughey of Minus 5 and Linda Pitman (Golden Smog and many more)
September 19, 2025 at 6:08 AM
Excellent gig tonight by Minus 5 and Baseball Project at Thalia Hall in Chicago. Great songwriting and a fun performance by a very tight band (Mike Mills and Peter Buck of REM, Steve Wynn of Dream Syndicate, Scott McCaughey of Minus 5 and Linda Pitman (Golden Smog and many more)
Day 3 of a 6 day concert run. Last night was Xoth, a cosmic death metal band kicking off their tour in Fargo.. Tuesday was Steven Wilson in Minneapolis and I just landed in Chicago. Tonight is Baseball Project featuring members of Minus 5. Dream Syndicate and 1/2 of REM then 3 days of Riotfest
September 18, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Day 3 of a 6 day concert run. Last night was Xoth, a cosmic death metal band kicking off their tour in Fargo.. Tuesday was Steven Wilson in Minneapolis and I just landed in Chicago. Tonight is Baseball Project featuring members of Minus 5. Dream Syndicate and 1/2 of REM then 3 days of Riotfest
Finally reading Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant and a reread of Declare for when I need something lighter. Read the first two Covenant series when young but never read this batch - picked up 3 of the 4 books at local library booksale for $1 each so giving it a shot.
September 8, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Finally reading Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant and a reread of Declare for when I need something lighter. Read the first two Covenant series when young but never read this batch - picked up 3 of the 4 books at local library booksale for $1 each so giving it a shot.
Quick trip to local bookstore on Saturday to pick up latest orders. So this week's TBR which I start today since it's a holiday here is of course Katabasis by RF Kuang, Carnival of Lies - the fifth Cesare Aldo which just came out in US by @dvbishop.com and a new novella by @aptshadow.bsky.social
September 1, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Quick trip to local bookstore on Saturday to pick up latest orders. So this week's TBR which I start today since it's a holiday here is of course Katabasis by RF Kuang, Carnival of Lies - the fifth Cesare Aldo which just came out in US by @dvbishop.com and a new novella by @aptshadow.bsky.social
Some recent purchases since I'm back home for a few weeks. Chunky collection of short stories inspired by Stephen King's The Stand, New Lovecraftyness from @haileypiperfights.bsky.social and an intriguing title about what's really going on at Denver Airport #lizardmenIlluminati
August 25, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Some recent purchases since I'm back home for a few weeks. Chunky collection of short stories inspired by Stephen King's The Stand, New Lovecraftyness from @haileypiperfights.bsky.social and an intriguing title about what's really going on at Denver Airport #lizardmenIlluminati
Hitting the road for a conference later this week so normally take a brick of a book to work on in down time, layovers etc. This time it's XX by Rian Hughes - graphic designer and artist who goes all out on interesting layouts, text and such
August 12, 2025 at 1:21 AM
Hitting the road for a conference later this week so normally take a brick of a book to work on in down time, layovers etc. This time it's XX by Rian Hughes - graphic designer and artist who goes all out on interesting layouts, text and such
Because double-billing these two movies today will in no way mess me up
August 9, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Because double-billing these two movies today will in no way mess me up
Got my poster for conference done and sent to printer so cracking open these awesome sets.
August 5, 2025 at 1:42 AM
Got my poster for conference done and sent to printer so cracking open these awesome sets.
Oh and my paperback copy of Spanky has a protective dust jacket to obscure this! when reading it on the bus
August 4, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Oh and my paperback copy of Spanky has a protective dust jacket to obscure this! when reading it on the bus
This week on the top of the stack this dreich day.. The Dagger in Vichy, a Subpress novella by Alastair Reynolds, the other volume of @ramseycampbell.bsky.social Lovecrafty stories and a reread of Spanky by the late great Christopher Fowler
August 4, 2025 at 3:56 PM
This week on the top of the stack this dreich day.. The Dagger in Vichy, a Subpress novella by Alastair Reynolds, the other volume of @ramseycampbell.bsky.social Lovecrafty stories and a reread of Spanky by the late great Christopher Fowler