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Simon Thomas

@stuckinabook.bsky.social

2.1K followers 200 following 1.3K posts

Stuckinabook.com, Tea or Books? podcast Books, cats, Jesus, Neighbours

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Simon Thomas @stuckinabook.bsky.social · 13d

Can we like characters who make stupid decisions? Plus Celia Dale and Bernice Rubens - ep142 of Tea or Books? on Spotify or wherever you get podcasts!

#142: Can We Like A Character Who Makes Stupid Decisions? and Other People vs A Five Year Sentence

open.spotify.com

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Simon Thomas @stuckinabook.bsky.social · 4h

Many thanks! I've saved your posts so that I keep a record of recs :) I usually go for lighter films, but it is good to mix in some hard-hitting ones sometimes.

Simon Thomas @stuckinabook.bsky.social · 5h

If/when have the stomach for it, I will check them out! Thanks :)

Simon Thomas @stuckinabook.bsky.social · 5h

Oh I didn't realise that! Thanks

Simon Thomas @stuckinabook.bsky.social · 5h

I haven't managed to track down Dhadak with English subs anywhere, and tbh probably won't now! It's obviously an important message but, wow, just 2.5 hours of bleakness.

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Simon Thomas @stuckinabook.bsky.social · 5h

Wow, Dhadak 2 is just relentlessly miserable, huh

Simon Thomas @stuckinabook.bsky.social · 10h

Twinless (2025) is SO good. It's about two men who meet at a grief group for people who've lost twins (though I cried less than I'd expected, given that premise).

Dark, sometimes funny, often melancholy, and always very well written, acted and directed. Dylan O'Brien is, as they say, a revelation.

Cover poster to Twinless shows the two stars alongside cut-outs of 'twin' silhouettes

Reposted by Simon Thomas

Nick Page @nickpage.bsky.social · 20h

Out now

Mid-faith Crisis 346: You’ve got five minutes on the problem of evil

In a packed feedback episode, we consider time, baptism, re-writing scripture, the omniscience of God and the problem of evil. Among other things. Also... https://nickpage.net/2025/10/11/out-now-midfaith-crisis-youve.html

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Simon Thomas @stuckinabook.bsky.social · 1d

I think not, sadly, cos it is all about a man! (It also is a fun read, but definitely not her best.)

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Simon Thomas @stuckinabook.bsky.social · 1d

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Simon Thomas @stuckinabook.bsky.social · 1d

I just read Mollie Panter-Downes' very enjoyable novel The Chase (get through the excruciating Cockney opening pages and you'll be fine).

Having said that, it is currently only available at £200+, so I'm not anticipating a rush to buy...

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Reposted by Simon Thomas

Simon Thomas @stuckinabook.bsky.social · 3d

I ranked Rose Macaulay's books, because someone has to do it

Unnecessary Rankings! Rose Macaulay

Time for some more rankings! Today is a very prolific writer – Rose Macaulay – so I’ve read 12 of her books, but barely dinted the surface. I have a lot more waiting on my shelves…

www.stuckinabook.com

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Simon Thomas @stuckinabook.bsky.social · 1d

I got Tori Amos tickets!!

Simon Thomas @stuckinabook.bsky.social · 2d

Easily done 😄

Simon Thomas @stuckinabook.bsky.social · 2d

Sorry about the exhaustion, Ali. But glad to hear good things about this - I loved The Optimist's Daughter and was a bit lukewarm about Delta Wedding, and have been keen to try another.

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Simon Thomas @stuckinabook.bsky.social · 2d

😄

Simon Thomas @stuckinabook.bsky.social · 2d

excellent!

Simon Thomas @stuckinabook.bsky.social · 3d

We watched the TV version at Christmas and it was like being drowned in fridge magnet philosophy. Then again, so is The Alchemist...

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Simon Thomas @stuckinabook.bsky.social · 3d

I'll go in for a third attempt at some point!

Simon Thomas @stuckinabook.bsky.social · 3d

Brilliant!

Simon Thomas @stuckinabook.bsky.social · 3d

Good question! Somewhere between the two? Less literary than Woolf and more literary than Whipple, with a satirical humour that you see in Woolf's essays.

Simon Thomas @stuckinabook.bsky.social · 3d

I ranked Rose Macaulay's books, because someone has to do it

Unnecessary Rankings! Rose Macaulay

Time for some more rankings! Today is a very prolific writer – Rose Macaulay – so I’ve read 12 of her books, but barely dinted the surface. I have a lot more waiting on my shelves…

www.stuckinabook.com

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Reposted by Simon Thomas

Beth Loves Bollywood (Beth Watkins) @bethlovesbollywood.bsky.social · 3d

Know someone who's Bollywood-curious? Filmi Ladies is starting a 5-part series for beginners, with 2 recommendations per episode. First up: Jab We Met and Paheli.
youtu.be/d6z8yCQSIT4?...

Filmi Ladies episode 164: Bollywood for Beginners episode 1- Paheli and Jab We Met

YouTube video by FilmiLadies

youtu.be

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Simon Thomas @stuckinabook.bsky.social · 5d

Yes! The whole book was fascinating and often very funny, especially that last chapter. (Bill Bryson's Shakespeare also has a chapter that is similarly: "Really, are you thick?")

Simon Thomas @stuckinabook.bsky.social · 5d

Not quite a biography, but I love the title (and contents) of James Shapiro's book about various theories of who wrote Shakespeare's plays: Contested Will

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Simon Thomas @stuckinabook.bsky.social · 6d

Absolutely!

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