Gemma Abbott
@gemabbott.bsky.social
Legal Director @thehowardleague.bsky.social. Trustee @dignityindying.org.uk. Views my own. She/her 🏴
Book 71/? - Fair Play by Louise Hegarty
I don’t know if I entirely enjoyed it but I couldn’t stop reading. It’s undoubtedly very clever, weaving together a pastiche of/ homage to golden age murder mystery with a modern telling of the mundane horror of grief. Impressive (if a tiny bit disjointed?)💙📚
I don’t know if I entirely enjoyed it but I couldn’t stop reading. It’s undoubtedly very clever, weaving together a pastiche of/ homage to golden age murder mystery with a modern telling of the mundane horror of grief. Impressive (if a tiny bit disjointed?)💙📚
June 7, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Book 71/? - Fair Play by Louise Hegarty
I don’t know if I entirely enjoyed it but I couldn’t stop reading. It’s undoubtedly very clever, weaving together a pastiche of/ homage to golden age murder mystery with a modern telling of the mundane horror of grief. Impressive (if a tiny bit disjointed?)💙📚
I don’t know if I entirely enjoyed it but I couldn’t stop reading. It’s undoubtedly very clever, weaving together a pastiche of/ homage to golden age murder mystery with a modern telling of the mundane horror of grief. Impressive (if a tiny bit disjointed?)💙📚
Book 70/? - The Coin by Yasmin Zaher
I listened to this on audiobook and was transfixed. It was funny but also so very sad. It left me feeling a bit raw. Loneliness, displacement, class, beauty, nature… it is disgusting at times and moving too 💙📚
I listened to this on audiobook and was transfixed. It was funny but also so very sad. It left me feeling a bit raw. Loneliness, displacement, class, beauty, nature… it is disgusting at times and moving too 💙📚
June 7, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Book 70/? - The Coin by Yasmin Zaher
I listened to this on audiobook and was transfixed. It was funny but also so very sad. It left me feeling a bit raw. Loneliness, displacement, class, beauty, nature… it is disgusting at times and moving too 💙📚
I listened to this on audiobook and was transfixed. It was funny but also so very sad. It left me feeling a bit raw. Loneliness, displacement, class, beauty, nature… it is disgusting at times and moving too 💙📚
Book 69/? - Consider Yourself Kissed by Jessica Stanley
I succumbed to the endless promotion of this (despite the grating name)
It was genuinely funny - and pretty devastating on the furious resentment that can brew between couples when it comes to making space for parenthood 💙📚
I succumbed to the endless promotion of this (despite the grating name)
It was genuinely funny - and pretty devastating on the furious resentment that can brew between couples when it comes to making space for parenthood 💙📚
June 7, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Book 69/? - Consider Yourself Kissed by Jessica Stanley
I succumbed to the endless promotion of this (despite the grating name)
It was genuinely funny - and pretty devastating on the furious resentment that can brew between couples when it comes to making space for parenthood 💙📚
I succumbed to the endless promotion of this (despite the grating name)
It was genuinely funny - and pretty devastating on the furious resentment that can brew between couples when it comes to making space for parenthood 💙📚
Book 68/? - The Unicorn Woman by Gayl Jones
The story-telling is irresistible - it meanders and flows, sometimes almost dreamlike, always interesting
I hadn’t read Gayl Jones before - glad to have realised my mistake
💙📚
The story-telling is irresistible - it meanders and flows, sometimes almost dreamlike, always interesting
I hadn’t read Gayl Jones before - glad to have realised my mistake
💙📚
June 7, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Book 68/? - The Unicorn Woman by Gayl Jones
The story-telling is irresistible - it meanders and flows, sometimes almost dreamlike, always interesting
I hadn’t read Gayl Jones before - glad to have realised my mistake
💙📚
The story-telling is irresistible - it meanders and flows, sometimes almost dreamlike, always interesting
I hadn’t read Gayl Jones before - glad to have realised my mistake
💙📚
Book 67/? - Gunk by Saba Sams
So good - this had me racing to download the author’s first book (Send Nudes). It’s somehow both tender and acerbic - and funny too. Highly recommend 💙📚
So good - this had me racing to download the author’s first book (Send Nudes). It’s somehow both tender and acerbic - and funny too. Highly recommend 💙📚
June 7, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Book 67/? - Gunk by Saba Sams
So good - this had me racing to download the author’s first book (Send Nudes). It’s somehow both tender and acerbic - and funny too. Highly recommend 💙📚
So good - this had me racing to download the author’s first book (Send Nudes). It’s somehow both tender and acerbic - and funny too. Highly recommend 💙📚
Book 66/? - The Homemade God by Rachel Joyce
I loved this. On siblings, on family, on those tiny resentments and assumptions that might suddenly collapse under their own weight
The indie hardback is a feast for the eyes too - hunt it down if you can! 💙📚
I loved this. On siblings, on family, on those tiny resentments and assumptions that might suddenly collapse under their own weight
The indie hardback is a feast for the eyes too - hunt it down if you can! 💙📚
June 7, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Book 66/? - The Homemade God by Rachel Joyce
I loved this. On siblings, on family, on those tiny resentments and assumptions that might suddenly collapse under their own weight
The indie hardback is a feast for the eyes too - hunt it down if you can! 💙📚
I loved this. On siblings, on family, on those tiny resentments and assumptions that might suddenly collapse under their own weight
The indie hardback is a feast for the eyes too - hunt it down if you can! 💙📚
Thank you. I hope you have many, many years together 🥰
May 25, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Thank you. I hope you have many, many years together 🥰
My mum died three years ago. I don’t really know how I got to the end of it - I found myself stricken with great gasping sobs at times - but there was something cathartic too. Somehow I was ready, I think. It’s just beautiful, isn’t it?
May 25, 2025 at 4:01 PM
My mum died three years ago. I don’t really know how I got to the end of it - I found myself stricken with great gasping sobs at times - but there was something cathartic too. Somehow I was ready, I think. It’s just beautiful, isn’t it?
Book 65/? - The Salt Path by Raynor Winn
I enjoyed the nature writing and it’s set in a favourite part of the world. But I don’t think it goes much further than memoir - eg I found it quite shallow on its broader themes of homelessness (& don’t get me started on her take on refugees 😳)
💙📚
I enjoyed the nature writing and it’s set in a favourite part of the world. But I don’t think it goes much further than memoir - eg I found it quite shallow on its broader themes of homelessness (& don’t get me started on her take on refugees 😳)
💙📚
May 25, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Book 65/? - The Salt Path by Raynor Winn
I enjoyed the nature writing and it’s set in a favourite part of the world. But I don’t think it goes much further than memoir - eg I found it quite shallow on its broader themes of homelessness (& don’t get me started on her take on refugees 😳)
💙📚
I enjoyed the nature writing and it’s set in a favourite part of the world. But I don’t think it goes much further than memoir - eg I found it quite shallow on its broader themes of homelessness (& don’t get me started on her take on refugees 😳)
💙📚
Book 64/? - Water by John Boyne
This popped up on my Audible, one of Boyne’s ‘elemental’ series
I loved the writing as it dealt with nature; I was left a bit cold by the characterisation…
Not sure I’ll read the others but I did like the setting of an isolated and unyielding Irish island 💙📚
This popped up on my Audible, one of Boyne’s ‘elemental’ series
I loved the writing as it dealt with nature; I was left a bit cold by the characterisation…
Not sure I’ll read the others but I did like the setting of an isolated and unyielding Irish island 💙📚
May 25, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Book 64/? - Water by John Boyne
This popped up on my Audible, one of Boyne’s ‘elemental’ series
I loved the writing as it dealt with nature; I was left a bit cold by the characterisation…
Not sure I’ll read the others but I did like the setting of an isolated and unyielding Irish island 💙📚
This popped up on my Audible, one of Boyne’s ‘elemental’ series
I loved the writing as it dealt with nature; I was left a bit cold by the characterisation…
Not sure I’ll read the others but I did like the setting of an isolated and unyielding Irish island 💙📚
Book 63/? - The Names by Florence Knapp
I succumbed to the unrelenting coverage of this, which made me - wrongly - think this was going to be light and fun. It’s not! It’s much more interesting, and harrowing, than I expected - and better for it 💙📚
I succumbed to the unrelenting coverage of this, which made me - wrongly - think this was going to be light and fun. It’s not! It’s much more interesting, and harrowing, than I expected - and better for it 💙📚
May 25, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Book 63/? - The Names by Florence Knapp
I succumbed to the unrelenting coverage of this, which made me - wrongly - think this was going to be light and fun. It’s not! It’s much more interesting, and harrowing, than I expected - and better for it 💙📚
I succumbed to the unrelenting coverage of this, which made me - wrongly - think this was going to be light and fun. It’s not! It’s much more interesting, and harrowing, than I expected - and better for it 💙📚
Book 62/? - On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
I’ve been meaning to read this for a while, prompted by his new book arriving. It’s poetry masquerading as a novel, and it’s both agonising and beautiful. I loved it 📚💙
I’ve been meaning to read this for a while, prompted by his new book arriving. It’s poetry masquerading as a novel, and it’s both agonising and beautiful. I loved it 📚💙
May 25, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Book 62/? - On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
I’ve been meaning to read this for a while, prompted by his new book arriving. It’s poetry masquerading as a novel, and it’s both agonising and beautiful. I loved it 📚💙
I’ve been meaning to read this for a while, prompted by his new book arriving. It’s poetry masquerading as a novel, and it’s both agonising and beautiful. I loved it 📚💙
Book 61/? - Days of Light by Megan Hunter
I listened to this on audiobook - beautifully written, lyrical & evocative. I found myself a bit frustrated by the passivity of the main character - & the religious underpinnings didn’t really chime from my atheist perspective. But I enjoyed it anyway! 📚💙
I listened to this on audiobook - beautifully written, lyrical & evocative. I found myself a bit frustrated by the passivity of the main character - & the religious underpinnings didn’t really chime from my atheist perspective. But I enjoyed it anyway! 📚💙
May 25, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Book 61/? - Days of Light by Megan Hunter
I listened to this on audiobook - beautifully written, lyrical & evocative. I found myself a bit frustrated by the passivity of the main character - & the religious underpinnings didn’t really chime from my atheist perspective. But I enjoyed it anyway! 📚💙
I listened to this on audiobook - beautifully written, lyrical & evocative. I found myself a bit frustrated by the passivity of the main character - & the religious underpinnings didn’t really chime from my atheist perspective. But I enjoyed it anyway! 📚💙
Book 60/? - Flesh by David Szalay
I read a review that advised not to “pigeonhole Flesh as a novel about masculinity…” - but I’m not sure I found much universality in the experience of the unemotional, unflinching, strangely passive protagonist
Excellent, but not a pleasure 💙📚
I read a review that advised not to “pigeonhole Flesh as a novel about masculinity…” - but I’m not sure I found much universality in the experience of the unemotional, unflinching, strangely passive protagonist
Excellent, but not a pleasure 💙📚
May 9, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Book 60/? - Flesh by David Szalay
I read a review that advised not to “pigeonhole Flesh as a novel about masculinity…” - but I’m not sure I found much universality in the experience of the unemotional, unflinching, strangely passive protagonist
Excellent, but not a pleasure 💙📚
I read a review that advised not to “pigeonhole Flesh as a novel about masculinity…” - but I’m not sure I found much universality in the experience of the unemotional, unflinching, strangely passive protagonist
Excellent, but not a pleasure 💙📚
Thank you - I haven’t read anything by Jean Hanff Korelitz, or Remarkably Bright Creatures - will check them out! Have a lovely weekend 😊
May 4, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Thank you - I haven’t read anything by Jean Hanff Korelitz, or Remarkably Bright Creatures - will check them out! Have a lovely weekend 😊
Oh I haven’t! I shall - thank you 🙏
May 3, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Oh I haven’t! I shall - thank you 🙏
Book 59/? - Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
Another audiobook, which I thought was excellent, if pretty tough to listen to (I hadn’t quite realised I was embarking on a story about motherhood and death - I’d have done so *much* less casually had I known)
Beautiful though
💙📚
Another audiobook, which I thought was excellent, if pretty tough to listen to (I hadn’t quite realised I was embarking on a story about motherhood and death - I’d have done so *much* less casually had I known)
Beautiful though
💙📚
May 3, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Book 59/? - Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
Another audiobook, which I thought was excellent, if pretty tough to listen to (I hadn’t quite realised I was embarking on a story about motherhood and death - I’d have done so *much* less casually had I known)
Beautiful though
💙📚
Another audiobook, which I thought was excellent, if pretty tough to listen to (I hadn’t quite realised I was embarking on a story about motherhood and death - I’d have done so *much* less casually had I known)
Beautiful though
💙📚
Book 58/? - Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters
A bit trite to say perhaps but this book made me both laugh and cry. It’s brutal at times; I realised I kept on taking breaks when reading to catch my breath
Has anyone read Torrey Peters’ new book, Stag Dance? It’s gone straight on my list! 💙📚
A bit trite to say perhaps but this book made me both laugh and cry. It’s brutal at times; I realised I kept on taking breaks when reading to catch my breath
Has anyone read Torrey Peters’ new book, Stag Dance? It’s gone straight on my list! 💙📚
May 3, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Book 58/? - Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters
A bit trite to say perhaps but this book made me both laugh and cry. It’s brutal at times; I realised I kept on taking breaks when reading to catch my breath
Has anyone read Torrey Peters’ new book, Stag Dance? It’s gone straight on my list! 💙📚
A bit trite to say perhaps but this book made me both laugh and cry. It’s brutal at times; I realised I kept on taking breaks when reading to catch my breath
Has anyone read Torrey Peters’ new book, Stag Dance? It’s gone straight on my list! 💙📚
Book 57/? - My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout
Working my way through Elizabeth Strout’s works to get to her most recent on the Women’s Prize shortlist! I listened to this on audiobook and really enjoyed it. I love the simplicity of her storytelling - it’s so humane and compassionate 💙📚
Working my way through Elizabeth Strout’s works to get to her most recent on the Women’s Prize shortlist! I listened to this on audiobook and really enjoyed it. I love the simplicity of her storytelling - it’s so humane and compassionate 💙📚
May 3, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Book 57/? - My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout
Working my way through Elizabeth Strout’s works to get to her most recent on the Women’s Prize shortlist! I listened to this on audiobook and really enjoyed it. I love the simplicity of her storytelling - it’s so humane and compassionate 💙📚
Working my way through Elizabeth Strout’s works to get to her most recent on the Women’s Prize shortlist! I listened to this on audiobook and really enjoyed it. I love the simplicity of her storytelling - it’s so humane and compassionate 💙📚
Book 56/? - Perfection by Vincenzo Latronico
No need to add to The Discourse on this. It’s a short read, sharp and unrelenting in its skewering of a gentrifying, hipster generation. Deadpan and ultimately quite depressing, I’m not sure I quite enjoyed it as much as admired it… 📚💙
No need to add to The Discourse on this. It’s a short read, sharp and unrelenting in its skewering of a gentrifying, hipster generation. Deadpan and ultimately quite depressing, I’m not sure I quite enjoyed it as much as admired it… 📚💙
May 3, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Book 56/? - Perfection by Vincenzo Latronico
No need to add to The Discourse on this. It’s a short read, sharp and unrelenting in its skewering of a gentrifying, hipster generation. Deadpan and ultimately quite depressing, I’m not sure I quite enjoyed it as much as admired it… 📚💙
No need to add to The Discourse on this. It’s a short read, sharp and unrelenting in its skewering of a gentrifying, hipster generation. Deadpan and ultimately quite depressing, I’m not sure I quite enjoyed it as much as admired it… 📚💙
Oh wow! That is spectacularly kind. I’m not able to make it sadly but THANK YOU 🙏
May 3, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Oh wow! That is spectacularly kind. I’m not able to make it sadly but THANK YOU 🙏
Final post in 🧵 (for now!) - here is the Government’s use of force evaluation as cited above
Read it and weep 😭 assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/680933...
Read it and weep 😭 assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/680933...
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
April 25, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Final post in 🧵 (for now!) - here is the Government’s use of force evaluation as cited above
Read it and weep 😭 assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/680933...
Read it and weep 😭 assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/680933...
🧵 And watch this space for updates on work @thehowardleague.bsky.social is doing more broadly around the use of force in adult prisons - including in relation to PAVA use against young, Black men
April 25, 2025 at 10:46 AM
🧵 And watch this space for updates on work @thehowardleague.bsky.social is doing more broadly around the use of force in adult prisons - including in relation to PAVA use against young, Black men