James Cook
@jamesbpcook.bsky.social
Writer. MEMORY SONGS | IN HER ROOM | Editor @Review31. Bylines @TheTLS @Guardian. Agent @oliagent @AMHeathLtd. jamesbpcook.blogspot.com
Pinned
James Cook
@jamesbpcook.bsky.social
· Nov 15
In Bluer Skies
YouTube video by Echo & the Bunnymen - Topic
www.youtube.com
Now playing. Echo and the Bunnymen, In Bluer Skies. #MemorySongs www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtzz...
Reposted by James Cook
In my corner of the bass-playing universe there was life pre- and post-Mani. He brought a liquid, melodic funkiness that EVERYONE copied. And when I finally met him he was exactly how you imagined him: joyful, generous, unstarry (& more of a star because of it) and wickedly funny. A life well lived
November 21, 2025 at 8:20 AM
In my corner of the bass-playing universe there was life pre- and post-Mani. He brought a liquid, melodic funkiness that EVERYONE copied. And when I finally met him he was exactly how you imagined him: joyful, generous, unstarry (& more of a star because of it) and wickedly funny. A life well lived
Reposted by James Cook
'Winterson’s verbal exuberance is both playful and deadly serious; she has the intensity of someone who is demolishing you at chess while maintaining that it’s only a game.'
Suzi Feay: A riff on One Thousand and One Nights
Suzi Feay: A riff on One Thousand and One Nights
Twenty-first-century genie
www.the-tls.com
November 22, 2025 at 6:22 AM
'Winterson’s verbal exuberance is both playful and deadly serious; she has the intensity of someone who is demolishing you at chess while maintaining that it’s only a game.'
Suzi Feay: A riff on One Thousand and One Nights
Suzi Feay: A riff on One Thousand and One Nights
Reposted by James Cook
Join us tonight at @burleyfisher.bsky.social for the London launch of Vanguard Editions The Carbon Arc. I'll be reading along with brilliant writers @christianaspens.bsky.social Sam Mills, Karen Krizanovich & Gareth Evans. 6.30pm-9pm (Free) Tickets here: burleyfisherbooks.com/products/lau...
November 19, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Join us tonight at @burleyfisher.bsky.social for the London launch of Vanguard Editions The Carbon Arc. I'll be reading along with brilliant writers @christianaspens.bsky.social Sam Mills, Karen Krizanovich & Gareth Evans. 6.30pm-9pm (Free) Tickets here: burleyfisherbooks.com/products/lau...
Reposted by James Cook
We were shocked and saddened to read that Rachel Cooke had died. She championed Michèle Roberts' work, and her take on French Cooking for One proposed the book to the bestsellers sphere. We remember her exemplary, fearless originality and generous spirit.
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Remembering Rachel Cooke | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 17, 2025 at 4:37 PM
We were shocked and saddened to read that Rachel Cooke had died. She championed Michèle Roberts' work, and her take on French Cooking for One proposed the book to the bestsellers sphere. We remember her exemplary, fearless originality and generous spirit.
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Reposted by James Cook
Can’t go to this tomorrow night, alas, but it should be excellent. Blackout is one of the books of the year, a sui generis journey into silence, mixing memoir, philosophy & art criticism.
Please join us on 18 November for an event at Reference.Point in London about BLACKOUT with debut author Yann Chateigné Tytelman and his translator @clementoctober.bsky.social in conversation with writer and film curator Gareth Evans.
Get your ticket www.eventbrite.com/e/book-talk-...
Get your ticket www.eventbrite.com/e/book-talk-...
November 17, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Can’t go to this tomorrow night, alas, but it should be excellent. Blackout is one of the books of the year, a sui generis journey into silence, mixing memoir, philosophy & art criticism.
Reposted by James Cook
Here’s my review of @andrewgallix.bsky.social’s wonderfully irreverent debut novel, Loren Ipsum, in the print edition of today’s @theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Here’s my review of @andrewgallix.bsky.social’s wonderfully irreverent debut novel, Loren Ipsum, in the print edition of today’s @theguardian.com
Reposted by James Cook
A new instalment of INVENTORY is available now via the @backlisted.bsky.social Patreon. Sign up as a Locklistener today, learn about the greatest song you’ve probably never heard of, support the podcast.
This week: Clearlake, ‘I Want to Live in a Dream’.
www.patreon.com/backlisted
This week: Clearlake, ‘I Want to Live in a Dream’.
www.patreon.com/backlisted
November 12, 2025 at 9:37 AM
A new instalment of INVENTORY is available now via the @backlisted.bsky.social Patreon. Sign up as a Locklistener today, learn about the greatest song you’ve probably never heard of, support the podcast.
This week: Clearlake, ‘I Want to Live in a Dream’.
www.patreon.com/backlisted
This week: Clearlake, ‘I Want to Live in a Dream’.
www.patreon.com/backlisted
Reposted by James Cook
Loren Ipsum is, by a wide margin, the most enjoyable novel I've read all year. Here's my review of @andrewgallix.bsky.social's mordantly witty debut in the Guardian. www.theguardian.com/books/2025/n...
Loren Ipsum by Andrew Gallix review – chronically funny satire of the literary scene
Full of word games, in-jokes and grisly murders, this debut pours gleeful scorn on the pretensions of contemporary literary life
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Loren Ipsum is, by a wide margin, the most enjoyable novel I've read all year. Here's my review of @andrewgallix.bsky.social's mordantly witty debut in the Guardian. www.theguardian.com/books/2025/n...
My old band Flamingoes is in this month’s Mojo magazine. ‘Flamingoes and Fountains of Wayne share a taste for Superman/ rabbit mash-ups’. #Therecordisforeverman @mojomagazine.bsky.social @keithcameron2.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 8:01 PM
My old band Flamingoes is in this month’s Mojo magazine. ‘Flamingoes and Fountains of Wayne share a taste for Superman/ rabbit mash-ups’. #Therecordisforeverman @mojomagazine.bsky.social @keithcameron2.bsky.social
Reposted by James Cook
ICYMI today we're feat. A Donkey’s Tale (or How the Two Renés Quarrelled) by Jude Cook @judecook.bsky.social #shortstory #fiction. Please click on the link and enjoy fictivedream.com/2025/11/02/a...
fictivedream.com
November 2, 2025 at 6:15 PM
ICYMI today we're feat. A Donkey’s Tale (or How the Two Renés Quarrelled) by Jude Cook @judecook.bsky.social #shortstory #fiction. Please click on the link and enjoy fictivedream.com/2025/11/02/a...
Reposted by James Cook
An October Substack from me: an essay on writing about places you've never visited. Read Into the Blue Again: Writing America for FREE here: judecook.substack.com/p/into-the-b...
October 28, 2025 at 4:51 PM
An October Substack from me: an essay on writing about places you've never visited. Read Into the Blue Again: Writing America for FREE here: judecook.substack.com/p/into-the-b...
Reposted by James Cook
A new instalment of INVENTORY is available now via the @backlisted.bsky.social Patreon. Sign up as a Locklistener today, discover beautiful records by Plinth, Andrew Wasylyk, Vic Mars etc, support the podcast.
This week: the magical world of @claypipemusic.bsky.social.
www.patreon.com/backlisted
This week: the magical world of @claypipemusic.bsky.social.
www.patreon.com/backlisted
October 22, 2025 at 8:00 AM
A new instalment of INVENTORY is available now via the @backlisted.bsky.social Patreon. Sign up as a Locklistener today, discover beautiful records by Plinth, Andrew Wasylyk, Vic Mars etc, support the podcast.
This week: the magical world of @claypipemusic.bsky.social.
www.patreon.com/backlisted
This week: the magical world of @claypipemusic.bsky.social.
www.patreon.com/backlisted
Reposted by James Cook
Novelist @judecook.bsky.social discusses his forthcoming existential thriller, Time Being, with @timrelf.bsky.social in House Magazine!
Jude Cook discusses his new novel, Time Being
by Tim Relf With the countdown on to publication of Jude Cook’s ‘existential’ literary thriller, Time Being, House catches up with the acclaimed author to find out what makes him tick 1. Tell us a lit...
www.saltpublishing.com
October 21, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Novelist @judecook.bsky.social discusses his forthcoming existential thriller, Time Being, with @timrelf.bsky.social in House Magazine!
Reposted by James Cook
I reviewed Mr Outside, Caleb Klaces superb second novel of fathers, sons & dementia in the new issue of @thetls.bsky.social @prototypepubs.bsky.social www.the-tls.com/literature/f...
Reborn as a poem
Caleb Klaces’s first novel, Fatherhood (2019), was a lyrical, emotional deep dive into the turmoil and euphoria of early parenthood, with its often
www.the-tls.com
October 16, 2025 at 8:27 AM
I reviewed Mr Outside, Caleb Klaces superb second novel of fathers, sons & dementia in the new issue of @thetls.bsky.social @prototypepubs.bsky.social www.the-tls.com/literature/f...
Reposted by James Cook
Next week - Walthamstow @keithcameron2.bsky.social on The Manics
@musicmaps.bsky.social
🎟️ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-history-...
@musicmaps.bsky.social
🎟️ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-history-...
October 13, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Next week - Walthamstow @keithcameron2.bsky.social on The Manics
@musicmaps.bsky.social
🎟️ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-history-...
@musicmaps.bsky.social
🎟️ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-history-...
Reposted by James Cook
My childhood memoir turned two yesterday. Thank you to all who’ve been reading (& listening to the audiobook) 🙏🏻 @dalkeyarchive.bsky.social A nice review here by @jamesbpcook.bsky.social in the @thetls.bsky.social www.the-tls.co.uk/regular-feat...
October 11, 2025 at 5:21 PM
My childhood memoir turned two yesterday. Thank you to all who’ve been reading (& listening to the audiobook) 🙏🏻 @dalkeyarchive.bsky.social A nice review here by @jamesbpcook.bsky.social in the @thetls.bsky.social www.the-tls.co.uk/regular-feat...
OTD 40 years ago, 9th October 1985, I watched @waterboysmusic.bsky.social , supported by @delamitri.bsky.social , play a transcendental show at the Town & Country Club (now the Forum). I later wrote about it in my book Memory Songs. #waterboys #waterboysband #80smusic #80sgigs
October 9, 2025 at 11:02 AM
OTD 40 years ago, 9th October 1985, I watched @waterboysmusic.bsky.social , supported by @delamitri.bsky.social , play a transcendental show at the Town & Country Club (now the Forum). I later wrote about it in my book Memory Songs. #waterboys #waterboysband #80smusic #80sgigs
Reposted by James Cook
KESHED LONDON LAUNCH IS CONFIRMED.
Thursday 12th March, Bard Books, @judecook.bsky.social in the host's chair, tix link as soon as i got one. News incoming on the official online launch, more as soon as i have it.
#BookSky #GetKeshed 📚📚📚
Thursday 12th March, Bard Books, @judecook.bsky.social in the host's chair, tix link as soon as i got one. News incoming on the official online launch, more as soon as i have it.
#BookSky #GetKeshed 📚📚📚
October 8, 2025 at 11:42 AM
KESHED LONDON LAUNCH IS CONFIRMED.
Thursday 12th March, Bard Books, @judecook.bsky.social in the host's chair, tix link as soon as i got one. News incoming on the official online launch, more as soon as i have it.
#BookSky #GetKeshed 📚📚📚
Thursday 12th March, Bard Books, @judecook.bsky.social in the host's chair, tix link as soon as i got one. News incoming on the official online launch, more as soon as i have it.
#BookSky #GetKeshed 📚📚📚
Reposted by James Cook
I was bawling long before the end of this.
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/s...
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/s...
‘There was comedy at all times’: Andrew O’Hagan on 15 years of funny, frank and champagne-fuelled friendship with Edna O’Brien
In the last decades of her life, the two novelists became close friends. He recalls their intense bond, their last trip to Ireland and her memories of being romanced by Richard Burton
www.theguardian.com
September 27, 2025 at 9:56 PM
I was bawling long before the end of this.
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/s...
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/s...
Reposted by James Cook
Great to celebrate the launch of Yann Chateigné Tyltleman’s Blackout at Veranda Books last night, expertly chaired by @clementoctober.bsky.social. Out now from @lesfugitivespress.bsky.social
October 3, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Great to celebrate the launch of Yann Chateigné Tyltleman’s Blackout at Veranda Books last night, expertly chaired by @clementoctober.bsky.social. Out now from @lesfugitivespress.bsky.social
Reposted by James Cook
A September Substack essay from me on the last day of the month. Read What I Love There: On Literary Subjectivity for FREE here: judecook.substack.com/p/what-i-lov...
September 30, 2025 at 2:58 PM
A September Substack essay from me on the last day of the month. Read What I Love There: On Literary Subjectivity for FREE here: judecook.substack.com/p/what-i-lov...
Reposted by James Cook
Reposted by James Cook
#SEND parents will not give up without a fight.
#SaveOurChildrensRights
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
#SaveOurChildrensRights
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
After last week, UK ministers should know this: a huge rebellion is coming – we will fight for our children's rights | John Harris
From mooted Whitehall cost-cutting to the bigoted views of Reform, parents of children with special needs see the latest threats, and we are mobilising, says Guardian columnist John Harris
www.theguardian.com
September 22, 2025 at 6:14 PM
#SEND parents will not give up without a fight.
#SaveOurChildrensRights
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
#SaveOurChildrensRights
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by James Cook
The invincible Andy Miller. Providing a reason to check your social media every Wednesday.
These Neko Case entries are lightning in a bottle.
These Neko Case entries are lightning in a bottle.
A new instalment of INVENTORY is available now via the @backlisted.bsky.social Patreon. Sign up as a Locklistener today, read this, support the podcast.
This week: Neko Case, pt two: The Worse Things Get, The More I Fight, The More I Fight, The More I Love You.
www.patreon.com/backlisted
This week: Neko Case, pt two: The Worse Things Get, The More I Fight, The More I Fight, The More I Love You.
www.patreon.com/backlisted
September 17, 2025 at 6:05 PM
The invincible Andy Miller. Providing a reason to check your social media every Wednesday.
These Neko Case entries are lightning in a bottle.
These Neko Case entries are lightning in a bottle.
Reposted by James Cook
A joy to discuss Withnail & I with @juderogers.bsky.social for tQ's pod: masculinity, the complexity of Uncle Monty, the lie of the Nature Cure, the grim 90s & how the film is relevant today in our age of oomska, still "shat on by Tories, shovelled up by Labour..."
thequietus.com/subscriber-a...
thequietus.com/subscriber-a...
Low Culture Podcast: Withnail & I | The Quietus
With John away, Luke gave tQ regular and all-round excellent scribe Jude Rogers a shout to see if she’d be up for coming on a special edition of the Low Culture podcast about Withnail & I, Bruce Robin...
thequietus.com
September 18, 2025 at 8:29 AM
A joy to discuss Withnail & I with @juderogers.bsky.social for tQ's pod: masculinity, the complexity of Uncle Monty, the lie of the Nature Cure, the grim 90s & how the film is relevant today in our age of oomska, still "shat on by Tories, shovelled up by Labour..."
thequietus.com/subscriber-a...
thequietus.com/subscriber-a...