Donna Coonan
@donna1.bsky.social
Book lover, editor, feminist. Formerly longest serving publisher of the Virago Modern Classics 📚
Currently reading 'A Memoir of My Former Self' by Hilary Mantel; 'War & Peace' by Tolstoy; 'Tolstoy Together' by Yiyun Li; 'Deacon King King' by James McBride
Currently reading 'A Memoir of My Former Self' by Hilary Mantel; 'War & Peace' by Tolstoy; 'Tolstoy Together' by Yiyun Li; 'Deacon King King' by James McBride
Want to see my intrepid hound crossing the tallest aqueduct in the world in a canoe? Thought you did! Handsome beast on Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
August 31, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Want to see my intrepid hound crossing the tallest aqueduct in the world in a canoe? Thought you did! Handsome beast on Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
Due to the fickleness of teenagers, I'm selling 2 tickets to see Kendrick Lamar - 19 July, Cardiff
secure.ticketmaster.co.uk/rs/3500624A8...
secure.ticketmaster.co.uk/rs/3500624A8...
a man in a blue varsity jacket with the letter p on it
ALT: a man in a blue varsity jacket with the letter p on it
media.tenor.com
June 10, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Due to the fickleness of teenagers, I'm selling 2 tickets to see Kendrick Lamar - 19 July, Cardiff
secure.ticketmaster.co.uk/rs/3500624A8...
secure.ticketmaster.co.uk/rs/3500624A8...
Lying on a spiky acupuncture mat (or floor, bed, mat or what have you), listening to countless P.G. Wodehouse books. Or walking in the drizzle, doing the same. That's my newfound prescription for the blues.
June 5, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Lying on a spiky acupuncture mat (or floor, bed, mat or what have you), listening to countless P.G. Wodehouse books. Or walking in the drizzle, doing the same. That's my newfound prescription for the blues.
2 years ago I got a paeony for my birthday, but it's never flowered. Waiting, in my north-facing garden, with excitement. Soon, my pretty 😍
June 2, 2025 at 8:12 AM
2 years ago I got a paeony for my birthday, but it's never flowered. Waiting, in my north-facing garden, with excitement. Soon, my pretty 😍
Reposted by Donna Coonan
Call out for writers with lived experience of homelessness or poverty to submit monologues for a new anthology to highlight the complexity of the experiences of homelessness and poverty – struggles, resilience, hope, humour.
Please share :)
mtos.cardboardcitizens.org.uk/anthology/
Please share :)
mtos.cardboardcitizens.org.uk/anthology/
May 29, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Call out for writers with lived experience of homelessness or poverty to submit monologues for a new anthology to highlight the complexity of the experiences of homelessness and poverty – struggles, resilience, hope, humour.
Please share :)
mtos.cardboardcitizens.org.uk/anthology/
Please share :)
mtos.cardboardcitizens.org.uk/anthology/
I took my friend for a surprise birthday day out, and it was magical. Charleston, followed by celeb spotting the magnificent John Agard, who read, right there & then, the poem he was writing. Unforgettable.
April 23, 2025 at 9:34 AM
I took my friend for a surprise birthday day out, and it was magical. Charleston, followed by celeb spotting the magnificent John Agard, who read, right there & then, the poem he was writing. Unforgettable.
Bloody hell - this is exciting!
April 22, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Bloody hell - this is exciting!
Tentatively planted the asparagus bed. It's a long-term relationship - even if they don't die, I won't be eating them for 2 years.
April 13, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Tentatively planted the asparagus bed. It's a long-term relationship - even if they don't die, I won't be eating them for 2 years.
I've resisted binning the kids' lockdown art projects for long enough 😟
March 19, 2025 at 8:13 PM
I've resisted binning the kids' lockdown art projects for long enough 😟
Reposted by Donna Coonan
Victoria Amelina
Looking at Women Looking at War
Looking at Women Looking at War
February 12, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Victoria Amelina
Looking at Women Looking at War
Looking at Women Looking at War
Reposted by Donna Coonan
As part of #SaveThePCC, we are looking to cement our status as a culturally significant institution. We need examples as to why you love what we do & want to hear your most cherished memories of the cinema.
So tell us: #ILovePCC because…
Tell us here: princecharlescinema.typeform.com/ILovePCC
So tell us: #ILovePCC because…
Tell us here: princecharlescinema.typeform.com/ILovePCC
February 10, 2025 at 2:18 PM
As part of #SaveThePCC, we are looking to cement our status as a culturally significant institution. We need examples as to why you love what we do & want to hear your most cherished memories of the cinema.
So tell us: #ILovePCC because…
Tell us here: princecharlescinema.typeform.com/ILovePCC
So tell us: #ILovePCC because…
Tell us here: princecharlescinema.typeform.com/ILovePCC
I am having the most perfect morning. Rare lie-in.
January 30, 2025 at 8:37 AM
I am having the most perfect morning. Rare lie-in.
I miss Hilary Mantel's writing so very much - her wry, knowing, humane take on the world. This book is just wonderful - I am savouring every page. Everything from Robocop to Jane Austen.
Here she is on the 2016 US election but the words are being whispered in my ear as if written today.
Here she is on the 2016 US election but the words are being whispered in my ear as if written today.
January 28, 2025 at 8:47 AM
I miss Hilary Mantel's writing so very much - her wry, knowing, humane take on the world. This book is just wonderful - I am savouring every page. Everything from Robocop to Jane Austen.
Here she is on the 2016 US election but the words are being whispered in my ear as if written today.
Here she is on the 2016 US election but the words are being whispered in my ear as if written today.
I'm really sad to see the 'closing down' signs on my local WHSmith
- & to read of its wider demise. Although it's derided, in poorer areas Smiths is often the only place to buy books - and access is everything. Yes, we'd all love a local indie, but I've never lived anywhere close to one.
- & to read of its wider demise. Although it's derided, in poorer areas Smiths is often the only place to buy books - and access is everything. Yes, we'd all love a local indie, but I've never lived anywhere close to one.
January 22, 2025 at 8:30 PM
I'm really sad to see the 'closing down' signs on my local WHSmith
- & to read of its wider demise. Although it's derided, in poorer areas Smiths is often the only place to buy books - and access is everything. Yes, we'd all love a local indie, but I've never lived anywhere close to one.
- & to read of its wider demise. Although it's derided, in poorer areas Smiths is often the only place to buy books - and access is everything. Yes, we'd all love a local indie, but I've never lived anywhere close to one.
Obsessed with this site & have wasted many hours wondering how to incorporate ecclesiastical items into home decor. (Would a pulpit be a good standing desk? I want the confessional box, but how?... Ooh, that silk alter cloth is a steal, a bit Pucci. Blinds?) #LapsedCatholic
churchantiques.com
churchantiques.com
Home
We are the top supplier of Antique Ecclesiastical Furnishings and fixtures in Great Britain. We always have pews and chairs for sale.
churchantiques.com
January 22, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Obsessed with this site & have wasted many hours wondering how to incorporate ecclesiastical items into home decor. (Would a pulpit be a good standing desk? I want the confessional box, but how?... Ooh, that silk alter cloth is a steal, a bit Pucci. Blinds?) #LapsedCatholic
churchantiques.com
churchantiques.com
Been to my first party of the New Year - it's as glittering & waspish as I'd hoped. I've paid my respects to the aunt, taken in the men's various heights, admired beautiful Helene admiring her own beautiful shoulders. I like Pierre, so young & unaware.
1st impressions of W&P -surprisingly funny.
1st impressions of W&P -surprisingly funny.
My kids actually took note of something I said I wanted to do last year and bought me these for Christmas, with their own money. I was so touched.
Tonight, the long-awaited journey begins - #WarandPeace with @yiyunli.bsky.social
Tonight, the long-awaited journey begins - #WarandPeace with @yiyunli.bsky.social
January 8, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Been to my first party of the New Year - it's as glittering & waspish as I'd hoped. I've paid my respects to the aunt, taken in the men's various heights, admired beautiful Helene admiring her own beautiful shoulders. I like Pierre, so young & unaware.
1st impressions of W&P -surprisingly funny.
1st impressions of W&P -surprisingly funny.
My kids actually took note of something I said I wanted to do last year and bought me these for Christmas, with their own money. I was so touched.
Tonight, the long-awaited journey begins - #WarandPeace with @yiyunli.bsky.social
Tonight, the long-awaited journey begins - #WarandPeace with @yiyunli.bsky.social
January 6, 2025 at 11:06 AM
My kids actually took note of something I said I wanted to do last year and bought me these for Christmas, with their own money. I was so touched.
Tonight, the long-awaited journey begins - #WarandPeace with @yiyunli.bsky.social
Tonight, the long-awaited journey begins - #WarandPeace with @yiyunli.bsky.social
Ooh, Merry Jolabokaflod! Very happy with my present 😊
December 24, 2024 at 9:59 PM
Ooh, Merry Jolabokaflod! Very happy with my present 😊
Bons mots, delivered completely deadpan, by my 15-yr-old in the last few days.
Did you mean to choose your most eccentric clothes for parents' evening?
Why DO you cackle like that?
Withering, I tell you! Withering!
Did you mean to choose your most eccentric clothes for parents' evening?
Why DO you cackle like that?
Withering, I tell you! Withering!
December 18, 2024 at 7:55 AM
Bons mots, delivered completely deadpan, by my 15-yr-old in the last few days.
Did you mean to choose your most eccentric clothes for parents' evening?
Why DO you cackle like that?
Withering, I tell you! Withering!
Did you mean to choose your most eccentric clothes for parents' evening?
Why DO you cackle like that?
Withering, I tell you! Withering!
Well, I needed a pick-up and I must say I'm finding this rather delightful. Serendipitously, it's set during the festive season.
'The WomEn in Black' by Madeleine St John (not to be confused with 'The WomAn in Black' which, other than sartorially, is its polar opposite.)
'The WomEn in Black' by Madeleine St John (not to be confused with 'The WomAn in Black' which, other than sartorially, is its polar opposite.)
December 17, 2024 at 6:49 PM
Well, I needed a pick-up and I must say I'm finding this rather delightful. Serendipitously, it's set during the festive season.
'The WomEn in Black' by Madeleine St John (not to be confused with 'The WomAn in Black' which, other than sartorially, is its polar opposite.)
'The WomEn in Black' by Madeleine St John (not to be confused with 'The WomAn in Black' which, other than sartorially, is its polar opposite.)
There is so much wrong with this article that I can't quite fathom where to start.
Using a formula based on Nielsen BookScan TCM sales and literary prize success, our first editor ranking highlights those making waves in the sector.
Read about our top 30 Editors of the Year 👇 www.thebookseller.com/features/won... #BookSky
Read about our top 30 Editors of the Year 👇 www.thebookseller.com/features/won... #BookSky
Wonder Wall leads The Bookseller’s inaugural ranking of acquiring editors
Using a formula based on Nielsen BookScan TCM sales and literary prize success, The Bookseller’s first editor ranking highlights those making waves in the sector.
www.thebookseller.com
December 16, 2024 at 3:54 PM
There is so much wrong with this article that I can't quite fathom where to start.
While watching the final series of Wolf Hall, I've spent hours gazing at the photos I took of the magnificent Holbein exhibition earlier this year. He and Mantel breathe such life into the Tudor court. The men & women are fully human & fallible in their work. Masterpieces.
December 16, 2024 at 12:14 PM
While watching the final series of Wolf Hall, I've spent hours gazing at the photos I took of the magnificent Holbein exhibition earlier this year. He and Mantel breathe such life into the Tudor court. The men & women are fully human & fallible in their work. Masterpieces.
Reposted by Donna Coonan
Semi-colon party all night long!
Say what?
Semi-colon party all night long!!
Say what?
Semi-colon party all night long!!
Today, on Shirley Jackson’s birthday, let’s all marvel at one of the greatest opening paragraphs ever written (from THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE)
December 14, 2024 at 5:51 PM
Semi-colon party all night long!
Say what?
Semi-colon party all night long!!
Say what?
Semi-colon party all night long!!
The novel by I'm most thrilled to see included in @sandtclassics.bsky.social 's new list is 'The Country of the Pointed Firs' by Sarah Orne Jewett, which I discovered during lockdown. It's a consoling marvel of a book and not nearly as well known as it deserves to be.
December 5, 2024 at 12:46 PM
The novel by I'm most thrilled to see included in @sandtclassics.bsky.social 's new list is 'The Country of the Pointed Firs' by Sarah Orne Jewett, which I discovered during lockdown. It's a consoling marvel of a book and not nearly as well known as it deserves to be.