Tynemouth Canary
@rogerduruttiic838.bsky.social
Interested in history, esp 20th century, more especially Second World War. Independent Company Member (IC#838), mediocre and injured athlete, NCFC fan, woeful guitarist, cat-dad, listens to too many pasty, pale '80s indie bands, buys too many books.
Eric preparing for his stint on #Jackanory (shows my age, though not his). It's gonna be a scary one!
November 21, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Eric preparing for his stint on #Jackanory (shows my age, though not his). It's gonna be a scary one!
I'm reading 'Nightmares and Dreamscapes' by Stephen King. It's a few years since I read something of his, I think, and I've enjoyed reacquainting myself with his storytelling mastery. I feel like I've been reading short story's for a good few weeks though, so I may pick up a proper novel next.
November 17, 2025 at 3:50 PM
I'm reading 'Nightmares and Dreamscapes' by Stephen King. It's a few years since I read something of his, I think, and I've enjoyed reacquainting myself with his storytelling mastery. I feel like I've been reading short story's for a good few weeks though, so I may pick up a proper novel next.
Eric has a new bed. I think he approves.
November 14, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Eric has a new bed. I think he approves.
Feels like the kind of day to play through the entire Aztec Camera catalogue. Let's start here.
November 13, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Feels like the kind of day to play through the entire Aztec Camera catalogue. Let's start here.
I'm reading 'Black Gate Tales', by Paul Draper. It's really quite remarkable, and definitely gets under the skin. I've also just picked up 'Nightmares and Dreamscapes' by Stephen King, so there's a definite short-story vibe this week
November 10, 2025 at 9:37 AM
I'm reading 'Black Gate Tales', by Paul Draper. It's really quite remarkable, and definitely gets under the skin. I've also just picked up 'Nightmares and Dreamscapes' by Stephen King, so there's a definite short-story vibe this week
Excellent night hearing Mike Joyce talking about his life, and time in The Smiths, at Wylam Brewery.
November 4, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Excellent night hearing Mike Joyce talking about his life, and time in The Smiths, at Wylam Brewery.
I finished 'The Apparition Phase' by Will Maclean yesterday, and was rather blown away by it. I haven't quite recovered, so I think I'm going to dip into the 'Eerie East Anglia' anthology from the British Library 'Tales of the Weird' series for now. I'm an exiled Norfolk lad, after all.
November 3, 2025 at 6:33 PM
I finished 'The Apparition Phase' by Will Maclean yesterday, and was rather blown away by it. I haven't quite recovered, so I think I'm going to dip into the 'Eerie East Anglia' anthology from the British Library 'Tales of the Weird' series for now. I'm an exiled Norfolk lad, after all.
I'm reading 'The Resurrectionist' by A. Rae Dunlop. It's really good fun, and also we had a weekend in Edinburgh recently, so it's bringing back good memories.
I should probably make it clear, for legal reasons, that we didn't go grave-robbing in Edinburgh; not those kind of memories.
I should probably make it clear, for legal reasons, that we didn't go grave-robbing in Edinburgh; not those kind of memories.
October 27, 2025 at 1:26 PM
I'm reading 'The Resurrectionist' by A. Rae Dunlop. It's really good fun, and also we had a weekend in Edinburgh recently, so it's bringing back good memories.
I should probably make it clear, for legal reasons, that we didn't go grave-robbing in Edinburgh; not those kind of memories.
I should probably make it clear, for legal reasons, that we didn't go grave-robbing in Edinburgh; not those kind of memories.
Dean Village, Edinburgh. A most enjoyable stroll.
October 22, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Dean Village, Edinburgh. A most enjoyable stroll.
I'm reading 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson. I'm going to read 'The Book of Witching' by C. J. Cooke next, I think, to keep the dark October vibe going.
October 13, 2025 at 2:43 PM
I'm reading 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson. I'm going to read 'The Book of Witching' by C. J. Cooke next, I think, to keep the dark October vibe going.
I'm about to read 'Withered Hill' by David Barnet, having been inspired by your review online.
October 6, 2025 at 5:13 PM
I'm about to read 'Withered Hill' by David Barnet, having been inspired by your review online.
If you see this picture, post a random image from your device.
September 29, 2025 at 11:14 PM
If you see this picture, post a random image from your device.
I've just started 'Anno Dracula' by Kim Newman, which is remarkably enjoyable so far. Didn't realise when I picked it up that it's the start of a series. (sorry about the Neil Gaiman quote on the cover BTW)
September 29, 2025 at 3:08 PM
I've just started 'Anno Dracula' by Kim Newman, which is remarkably enjoyable so far. Didn't realise when I picked it up that it's the start of a series. (sorry about the Neil Gaiman quote on the cover BTW)
I'm still reading James Holland's 'Together We Stand'. I'm also dipping into the first volume of 'Unfettered' (ed. @shawnspeakman.com). I'm really enjoying discovering some new (to me) authors in there.
September 22, 2025 at 1:05 PM
I'm still reading James Holland's 'Together We Stand'. I'm also dipping into the first volume of 'Unfettered' (ed. @shawnspeakman.com). I'm really enjoying discovering some new (to me) authors in there.
A happy find in Durham today. Been looking out for this ('First Light', by Geoffrey Wellum)
#HistoryBookChat
#HistoryBookChat
September 16, 2025 at 6:08 PM
A happy find in Durham today. Been looking out for this ('First Light', by Geoffrey Wellum)
#HistoryBookChat
#HistoryBookChat
I've just returned from We Have Ways Fest, so, suitably inspired, I'm reading James Holland's 'Together We Stand: North Africa 1942-43: Turning the Tide in the West' (that's a lot of subtitle). It's James' trademark combination of big strategic view, and people at the sharp end. Very good, as always
September 15, 2025 at 1:49 PM
I've just returned from We Have Ways Fest, so, suitably inspired, I'm reading James Holland's 'Together We Stand: North Africa 1942-43: Turning the Tide in the West' (that's a lot of subtitle). It's James' trademark combination of big strategic view, and people at the sharp end. Very good, as always
Heading South for We Have Ways Fest 5. 3 days of war waffle from people much more clever than me, plus some military hardware and perhaps the odd beer.
September 11, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Heading South for We Have Ways Fest 5. 3 days of war waffle from people much more clever than me, plus some military hardware and perhaps the odd beer.
I've been reading 'The Kamogawa Food Detectives', by Hisashi Kashiwai. A nice light read, in a good way, though it's making me hungry! Not good for a currently injured athlete with a rapidly expanding waist. An enjoyable read though, and (big plus IMHO) a cat on the cover.
September 8, 2025 at 5:02 PM
I've been reading 'The Kamogawa Food Detectives', by Hisashi Kashiwai. A nice light read, in a good way, though it's making me hungry! Not good for a currently injured athlete with a rapidly expanding waist. An enjoyable read though, and (big plus IMHO) a cat on the cover.
I'm reading 'There Are Rivers In The Sky', by Elif Shafak. I haven't enjoyed a book this much in a while.
September 1, 2025 at 1:16 PM
I'm reading 'There Are Rivers In The Sky', by Elif Shafak. I haven't enjoyed a book this much in a while.
I was giving Eric treats. Then I stopped. Getting the stink-eye now.
August 26, 2025 at 10:58 PM
I was giving Eric treats. Then I stopped. Getting the stink-eye now.
I'm reading 'Glorious Exploits', by Ferdia Lennon. It's certainly entertaining, so far, and nicely written. One character is described as having 'eyes the colour of shallow sea when the sun shines through it', which I loved. It is set in a proto-concentration camp though, which I find troubling.
August 25, 2025 at 10:20 AM
I'm reading 'Glorious Exploits', by Ferdia Lennon. It's certainly entertaining, so far, and nicely written. One character is described as having 'eyes the colour of shallow sea when the sun shines through it', which I loved. It is set in a proto-concentration camp though, which I find troubling.
Looking forward to reading that. I loved 'Babel'. Today I finished '38 Londres Street' by Philippe Sands. I think I m going to start 'Victory '45' by James Holland & Al Murray next, as I'll be hearing them speak at We Have Ways fest next month; along with Philippe Sands, as it happens.
August 18, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Looking forward to reading that. I loved 'Babel'. Today I finished '38 Londres Street' by Philippe Sands. I think I m going to start 'Victory '45' by James Holland & Al Murray next, as I'll be hearing them speak at We Have Ways fest next month; along with Philippe Sands, as it happens.
I'm reading '38 Londres Street' by Philippe Sands.
As an '80s teen, I had a friend from an exiled Chilean family (sadly now deceased). We spent quite a bit of time drinking, smoking, and putting the world to rights, and Pinochet's grotesque regime came up a lot; so some personal resonance here.
As an '80s teen, I had a friend from an exiled Chilean family (sadly now deceased). We spent quite a bit of time drinking, smoking, and putting the world to rights, and Pinochet's grotesque regime came up a lot; so some personal resonance here.
August 11, 2025 at 11:45 AM
I'm reading '38 Londres Street' by Philippe Sands.
As an '80s teen, I had a friend from an exiled Chilean family (sadly now deceased). We spent quite a bit of time drinking, smoking, and putting the world to rights, and Pinochet's grotesque regime came up a lot; so some personal resonance here.
As an '80s teen, I had a friend from an exiled Chilean family (sadly now deceased). We spent quite a bit of time drinking, smoking, and putting the world to rights, and Pinochet's grotesque regime came up a lot; so some personal resonance here.
I'm about to start 'Caledonian Road' by Andrew O'Hagan. I was absolutely floored by 'Mayflies', so I've been looking forward to this one.
July 21, 2025 at 9:12 AM
I'm about to start 'Caledonian Road' by Andrew O'Hagan. I was absolutely floored by 'Mayflies', so I've been looking forward to this one.
I'm finally going to tackle this. It's been on the tbr for far too long
July 14, 2025 at 4:40 PM
I'm finally going to tackle this. It's been on the tbr for far too long