Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Claire Handscombe @bookishclaire.bsky.social · 8h

I do enjoy these Bookseller puns.

The Bookseller @thebookseller.com · 8h

Canongate has got on board with Matt Haig's latest novel The Midnight Train, a "sibling, not a sequel" to his global hit, The Midnight Library, publishing in May 2026 📚

Read more here 👉 tinyurl.com/4es7b2ku

2

Reposted by Claire Handscombe

laura @lauraillustrates.bsky.social · 12h

hard at work

illustration of a white sheep sewing a quilt- the sheep uses an antique-looking black sewing machine with yellow and blue folk art flowers on it. the quilt is made of different fabrics, all with a floral theme. the sheep has her tongue sticking out to show the utmost concentration.

4 210 600

Claire Handscombe @bookishclaire.bsky.social · 19h

I wish I didn’t have #fbf25 FOMO, but I do. I do.

Claire Handscombe @bookishclaire.bsky.social · 1d

All the lies, all the deception, the way it stole our creativity and for some, our livelihoods — it’s criminal that nobody is on the hook for that. I’m sorry, Tom.

1 1 8

Reposted by Claire Handscombe

Tom Cox @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social · Jan 28

Write the book you would like to see someone pull from a higgledy piggledy pile in a secondhand shop 63 years after your death and say, "This looks fucking weird. I think I will buy it for Joan."

7 110 400

Reposted by Claire Handscombe

The Book Vault @thebookvault.bsky.social · 5d

An enlightening, frustrating episode of Realms Unknown with the wonderful @alicefraser.bsky.social and @podchris.bsky.social on the genesis, publication and aftermath of A Passion for Passion with Unbound. Support Alice (as I do) on Patreon... 1/2

www.thebuglepodcast.com/realms-unknown

Realms Unknow - Sci Fi and Fantasy — THE BUGLE

Alice Fraser hosts The Bugle's essential guide to science fiction and fantasy. It's the complete companion to speculative fiction. With reviews, comedy and essential lists.

www.thebuglepodcast.com

1 2 11

Claire Handscombe @bookishclaire.bsky.social · 1d

Bluesky, I am counting on you to deliver Frankfurt Buchmesse gossip. Do not let me down. #fbf2025

Reposted by Claire Handscombe

Frog and Toad Bot @frogandtoadbot.bsky.social · 1d

Frog and Toad waited a long time.

Four days later the snail got to Toad's house and gave him the letter from Frog. Toad was very pleased to have it.

Snail delivers a letter to Toad, who is very happy to receive it.

From "The Letter"
In *Frog and Toad Are Friends*

2 41 400

Claire Handscombe @bookishclaire.bsky.social · 1d

Ah yes, Ken Clarke. It was hard for even me not to like him.

2

Claire Handscombe @bookishclaire.bsky.social · 1d

I live with family friends who have had the same phone number literally my whole life and it is still ingrained into the depths of my being even though I have not called it for probably 30 years.

Claire Handscombe @bookishclaire.bsky.social · 1d

0208 123 5877!!
(Helps to have a jingle)

bleary @bleary.off-the-records.com · 1d

If anyone needs me I will be in the museum, lying down next to the bog bodies.

Did people really memorize phone numbers before cell phones, or is that just a movie thing?
2? Questions
I was watching some old shows from the 90s and noticed people would just dial numbers from memory - like they'd call their friends or family without looking anything up.
Made me wonder if that was actually normal back then? Did people genuinely have all their important numbers memorized, or did most folks keep a little address book or written list nearby?

Claire Handscombe @bookishclaire.bsky.social · 1d

Uh oh.

Claire Handscombe @bookishclaire.bsky.social · 1d

(My opinions on these things are not so much unhinged as they are French)

3

Claire Handscombe @bookishclaire.bsky.social · 1d

Books should be the length that the story and style dictates and not have to fit into some arbitrary word count base on genre.

Rachel Feder @rachelfeder.bsky.social · 1d

Tell me your most unhinged literary opinion, as a little treat

1 3 14

Claire Handscombe @bookishclaire.bsky.social · 1d

Characters shouldn’t need to change by the end of a book. A lot of people never change and still have stories worth telling.

Rachel Feder @rachelfeder.bsky.social · 1d

Tell me your most unhinged literary opinion, as a little treat

1 11

Reposted by Claire Handscombe

Marshall Ryan Maresca @mrmaresca.com · 1d

Publishers should be invested in promoting the books they publish.

Rachel Feder @rachelfeder.bsky.social · 1d

Tell me your most unhinged literary opinion, as a little treat

14 130 620

Claire Handscombe @bookishclaire.bsky.social · 1d

I joined the Greens because they’re not afraid to tax the very rich in order to restore hope and dignity to ordinary people. Join me?

click.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/

Join the Green Party

Join the Green Party from just £6 a year. Become a member today - join the only party standing up for people and planet.

click.actionnetwork.org

2

Reposted by Claire Handscombe

Salt Books @saltpublishing.com · 1d

We need your help. 💙 Salt is fighting to keep indie publishing alive — discovering new writers, nurturing voices that matter. Every pound helps us publish more books. Please donate or share today. #SupportIndie #KeepBooksAlive #Books #Writers #IndiePress

Donate to Keep Independent Publishing Alive – Support Salt Books 2026, organized by Christopher Hamilton-Emery

New books and reprints arrive daily at Salty Towers – and we'… Christopher Hamilton-Emery needs your support for Keep Independent Publishing Alive – Support Salt Books 2026

gofund.me

13 9

Claire Handscombe @bookishclaire.bsky.social · 2d

Great work from Oxfam. Please sign.

www.oxfam.org.uk/get-involved...

Petition from Oxfam asking Rachel Reeves to tax wealth now

2

Claire Handscombe @bookishclaire.bsky.social · 3d

The latest edition of my newsletter of book recs is out, and on the eve of the Frankfurt Book Fair, the theme is (fittingly) novels set in the publishing world.
ifyoulovethatreadthis.substack.com/p/if-you-lov...

If You Love Publishing Gossip, Read These Novels

Books about books and the people who make them

ifyoulovethatreadthis.substack.com

2

Reposted by Claire Handscombe

The Society of Authors @societyofauthors.bsky.social · 3d

Today is Bookshop Day, a day to celebrate ALL bookshops on our high streets.

Bookshops are an integral part of an author's livelihood, and we celebrate all the talented booksellers who share their guidance and expertise.

Visit your local bookshop today and show them your support.

#bookshopday

35 47

Claire Handscombe @bookishclaire.bsky.social · 4d

As it’s your birthday, yes.

1

Claire Handscombe @bookishclaire.bsky.social · 4d

Happy birthday @bradleywhitford.bsky.social! I wish you the finest muffins and bagels in all the land.

a man in a white shirt and tie is standing in front of a wooden shelf .

ALT: a man in a white shirt and tie is standing in front of a wooden shelf .

media.tenor.com

1

Reposted by Claire Handscombe

All Good Bookshop @allgoodbookshop.co.uk · 4d

Honestly, it's been a bit of a quieter week or two than would be... ideal. If there's a book that's on your mind, we'd love it if you bought it from us! Email us, DM us, etc.

1 4 3

Reposted by Claire Handscombe

Neil Turner @neilturner.me.uk · 5d

If you're interested in the Unbound/Boundless Publishing saga, this week's Realms Unknown podcast with @alicefraser.bsky.social is well worth your time.

overcast.fm/+ABNCKpo8SFo

We made a hit book, and saw none of the money! Chris and Alice Unleashed!!! B’Ankruptcy Edition — Realms Unknown

Chris and Alice tell the story of their experiences around Alice’s hit book A Passion For Passion. A book that has generated over £50,000 in sales (maybe much more), yet we have barely seen a Penny. W...

overcast.fm

1 7 20