David
@bluebookballoon.bsky.social
Oxford, UK. When Adam delved and Eve span, who was then the gentleman? No pasarán. He/him. https://bluebookballoon.blogspot.com
Pinned
Review - The Christmas Cracker Killer by Alexandra Benedict
The Christmas Cracker Killer Alexandra Benedict Simon & Schuster, 6 November 2026 Available as: HB, 304pp, audio, e Source: Advance e-co...
bluebookballoon.blogspot.com
Today, I’m getting into the true spirit of Christmas - and that means MURDER, of course - with Alexandra Benedict’s new novel The Christmas Cracker Killer. A group of guests marooned in a luxury hotel. And a killer among them… Lovely! Out now.
bluebookballoon.blogspot.com/2025/12/revi...
bluebookballoon.blogspot.com/2025/12/revi...
Reposted by David
It is my opinion that people should focus more on
"How do we get through the next five years?"
and less on
"If only it was 2015 again!“
"How do we get through the next five years?"
and less on
"If only it was 2015 again!“
December 6, 2025 at 8:18 PM
It is my opinion that people should focus more on
"How do we get through the next five years?"
and less on
"If only it was 2015 again!“
"How do we get through the next five years?"
and less on
"If only it was 2015 again!“
Reposted by David
☕🌱🌿 This. Has just tickled me..
BBC News - Giant purple dinosaur caught fly-tipping on CCTV in Southend - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/...
BBC News - Giant purple dinosaur caught fly-tipping on CCTV in Southend - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/...
Giant purple dinosaur caught fly-tipping on CCTV in Southend
The brightly coloured rogue raptor is spotted looking around before dumping rubbish in a street.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 6, 2025 at 7:10 PM
☕🌱🌿 This. Has just tickled me..
BBC News - Giant purple dinosaur caught fly-tipping on CCTV in Southend - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/...
BBC News - Giant purple dinosaur caught fly-tipping on CCTV in Southend - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/...
Reposted by David
Lovelies, I am not feeling too good, so for today's Tea and Sanctuary advent calendar I am going to leave you in the gentle care of the wonderful @paulcornell.bsky.social who has been kind enough to record an episode to keep you company.
teaandsanctuary.com/e/advent-202...
teaandsanctuary.com/e/advent-202...
Advent 2025 Day 7 | Tea and Sanctuary
For today's episode I am going to leave you in the gentle care of my wonderful friend Paul Cornell, as my energy levels are very low. You can find Paul online at:
https://www.paulcornell.com/
and
http...
teaandsanctuary.com
December 6, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Lovelies, I am not feeling too good, so for today's Tea and Sanctuary advent calendar I am going to leave you in the gentle care of the wonderful @paulcornell.bsky.social who has been kind enough to record an episode to keep you company.
teaandsanctuary.com/e/advent-202...
teaandsanctuary.com/e/advent-202...
Reposted by David
#CaseClosed: November 2025 | Monthly Wrap-Up #amreading #amreviewing #bookblogger #BookoftheMonth #GoodreadsChallenge #NetGalleyCheckIn #BookTwitter #booktwt #BookSky #damppebbles damppebbles.com/2025/12/05/c... via @damppebbles.bsky.social
#CaseClosed: November 2025 | Monthly Wrap-Up #amreading #amreviewing #bookblogger #BookoftheMonth #GoodreadsChallenge #NetGalleyCheckIn #BookTwitter #booktwt #BookSky #damppebbles
Hello bookish friends and welcome to the all-new and improved #CaseClosed. It’s shorter, it’s sharper but it’s still as FABULOUS as ever 🤣 #CaseClosed is my monthly wrap up post w…
damppebbles.com
December 6, 2025 at 1:36 PM
#CaseClosed: November 2025 | Monthly Wrap-Up #amreading #amreviewing #bookblogger #BookoftheMonth #GoodreadsChallenge #NetGalleyCheckIn #BookTwitter #booktwt #BookSky #damppebbles damppebbles.com/2025/12/05/c... via @damppebbles.bsky.social
Reposted by David
Also something like “groundedness”. Not about physical details but a sense of a mind reflecting on its own experiences.
I’m sure Sarah Friar of OpenAI feels it’s great to “write” with ChatGPT so I can explain with hers.
There is no thinking about the person in here.
I’m sure Sarah Friar of OpenAI feels it’s great to “write” with ChatGPT so I can explain with hers.
There is no thinking about the person in here.
December 6, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Also something like “groundedness”. Not about physical details but a sense of a mind reflecting on its own experiences.
I’m sure Sarah Friar of OpenAI feels it’s great to “write” with ChatGPT so I can explain with hers.
There is no thinking about the person in here.
I’m sure Sarah Friar of OpenAI feels it’s great to “write” with ChatGPT so I can explain with hers.
There is no thinking about the person in here.
Reposted by David
Could there be a more British headline?
Maybe a mention of potholes, queuing, the weather and #TheArchers?
Maybe a mention of potholes, queuing, the weather and #TheArchers?
December 6, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Could there be a more British headline?
Maybe a mention of potholes, queuing, the weather and #TheArchers?
Maybe a mention of potholes, queuing, the weather and #TheArchers?
Reposted by David
I agree. The big sell from AI is often to make your life easy, but building understanding, structuring your thoughts, is meant to be hard, and that is what changes you. i.e. if the product you care about is you and your brain, do the work.
December 6, 2025 at 11:00 AM
I agree. The big sell from AI is often to make your life easy, but building understanding, structuring your thoughts, is meant to be hard, and that is what changes you. i.e. if the product you care about is you and your brain, do the work.
Reposted by David
"on current evidence, and with a few more years of demographic churn, it is plausible that an electoral plurality will vote Labour on a rejoin basis."
The rise of unpopular populism - giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
The rise of unpopular populism - giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
The rise of unpopular populism
On birth rates, the lockdown and above all Brexit, the right is out of touch with the public
giftarticle.ft.com
December 6, 2025 at 7:59 AM
"on current evidence, and with a few more years of demographic churn, it is plausible that an electoral plurality will vote Labour on a rejoin basis."
The rise of unpopular populism - giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
The rise of unpopular populism - giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Reposted by David
This wildly tacky World Cup draw is a grimly fascinating preview of what happens if the aesthetics of fascism finally get their way.
December 5, 2025 at 6:28 PM
This wildly tacky World Cup draw is a grimly fascinating preview of what happens if the aesthetics of fascism finally get their way.
Reposted by David
No single human, at any point in history, has ever had so much of the world unite in ridicule.
An utter tragedy of man.
(📸 AP)
An utter tragedy of man.
(📸 AP)
December 5, 2025 at 9:37 PM
No single human, at any point in history, has ever had so much of the world unite in ridicule.
An utter tragedy of man.
(📸 AP)
An utter tragedy of man.
(📸 AP)
Reposted by David
What's the collective noun for Puffins? We have hundreds of vintage Puffin books in stock most in beautiful, bright, carefully read condition. Just a tiny sample pictured. Browse www.clhawley.co.uk/index.php?ro... . Not all are catlogued yet so please ask if there is something you can't find.
December 5, 2025 at 7:24 PM
What's the collective noun for Puffins? We have hundreds of vintage Puffin books in stock most in beautiful, bright, carefully read condition. Just a tiny sample pictured. Browse www.clhawley.co.uk/index.php?ro... . Not all are catlogued yet so please ask if there is something you can't find.
Reposted by David
🧵 It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas & I’m under pressure to put up my Christmas Tree. This is a pic from last year - so you can see it’s a bit of work! The thing is that I also have a lot of artwork to sort! You can see some of my one-off drawings in this thread, if you scroll down! [1]
December 4, 2025 at 10:47 PM
🧵 It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas & I’m under pressure to put up my Christmas Tree. This is a pic from last year - so you can see it’s a bit of work! The thing is that I also have a lot of artwork to sort! You can see some of my one-off drawings in this thread, if you scroll down! [1]
Reposted by David
I have written the books
that were in the bookshop
and which you were probably
saving for Christmas
Forgive me, they were superb
masterpieces,
it's probably not too late
to buy one
that were in the bookshop
and which you were probably
saving for Christmas
Forgive me, they were superb
masterpieces,
it's probably not too late
to buy one
December 5, 2025 at 7:29 PM
I have written the books
that were in the bookshop
and which you were probably
saving for Christmas
Forgive me, they were superb
masterpieces,
it's probably not too late
to buy one
that were in the bookshop
and which you were probably
saving for Christmas
Forgive me, they were superb
masterpieces,
it's probably not too late
to buy one
Reposted by David
@missadadoom.bsky.social recommends chilling tales of folk horror in translation by Zuzana Ríhová, John Ajvide Lindqvist, and more!
Chilling Lit: Six Novels in Translation That Blend Folktales and Horror
Togetherness that’s on the side of suffocating, history that won’t stay put or past, and nature that doesn’t just exist, benignly, but watches and waits….Folk horror deals in dissonance, drea…
buff.ly
December 5, 2025 at 7:30 PM
@missadadoom.bsky.social recommends chilling tales of folk horror in translation by Zuzana Ríhová, John Ajvide Lindqvist, and more!
Reposted by David
What if Pride and Prejudice had magic?
What if patriarchy prevented women from reaching their magical potential but also treated the rare magical women as prized broodmares?
What if those women rebelled?
What if patriarchy prevented women from reaching their magical potential but also treated the rare magical women as prized broodmares?
What if those women rebelled?
December 5, 2025 at 8:44 AM
What if Pride and Prejudice had magic?
What if patriarchy prevented women from reaching their magical potential but also treated the rare magical women as prized broodmares?
What if those women rebelled?
What if patriarchy prevented women from reaching their magical potential but also treated the rare magical women as prized broodmares?
What if those women rebelled?
Reposted by David
Review - The Christmas Cracker Killer by Alexandra Benedict
bluebookballoon.blogspot.com/2025/12/revi...
@bluebookballoon.bsky.social
bluebookballoon.blogspot.com/2025/12/revi...
@bluebookballoon.bsky.social
Review - The Christmas Cracker Killer by Alexandra Benedict
The Christmas Cracker Killer Alexandra Benedict Simon & Schuster, 6 November 2026 Available as: HB, 304pp, audio, e Source: Advance e-co...
bluebookballoon.blogspot.com
December 4, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Review - The Christmas Cracker Killer by Alexandra Benedict
bluebookballoon.blogspot.com/2025/12/revi...
@bluebookballoon.bsky.social
bluebookballoon.blogspot.com/2025/12/revi...
@bluebookballoon.bsky.social
Reposted by David
New review by David today!
Today, I’m getting into the true spirit of Christmas - and that means MURDER, of course - with Alexandra Benedict’s new novel The Christmas Cracker Killer. A group of guests marooned in a luxury hotel. And a killer among them… Lovely! Out now.
bluebookballoon.blogspot.com/2025/12/revi...
bluebookballoon.blogspot.com/2025/12/revi...
Review - The Christmas Cracker Killer by Alexandra Benedict
The Christmas Cracker Killer Alexandra Benedict Simon & Schuster, 6 November 2026 Available as: HB, 304pp, audio, e Source: Advance e-co...
bluebookballoon.blogspot.com
December 4, 2025 at 11:31 PM
New review by David today!
Reposted by David
*NEW BLOG POST*
My review of #Mimik by Sebastian Fitzek is live on #damppebbles!
A rip-roaring, non-stop, highly entertaining psychological thriller from an author who always delivers. Clever & multi-layered.
Check out my review...
➡️ buff.ly/pW9hq93
@headofzeus.bsky.social
#BookSky #skybrarians
My review of #Mimik by Sebastian Fitzek is live on #damppebbles!
A rip-roaring, non-stop, highly entertaining psychological thriller from an author who always delivers. Clever & multi-layered.
Check out my review...
➡️ buff.ly/pW9hq93
@headofzeus.bsky.social
#BookSky #skybrarians
December 4, 2025 at 6:03 PM
*NEW BLOG POST*
My review of #Mimik by Sebastian Fitzek is live on #damppebbles!
A rip-roaring, non-stop, highly entertaining psychological thriller from an author who always delivers. Clever & multi-layered.
Check out my review...
➡️ buff.ly/pW9hq93
@headofzeus.bsky.social
#BookSky #skybrarians
My review of #Mimik by Sebastian Fitzek is live on #damppebbles!
A rip-roaring, non-stop, highly entertaining psychological thriller from an author who always delivers. Clever & multi-layered.
Check out my review...
➡️ buff.ly/pW9hq93
@headofzeus.bsky.social
#BookSky #skybrarians
Reposted by David
#signalboost for an excellent author!
Hey Bluesky peeps, could you help spread the word?
My Shirley Jackson Award-nominated gothic fiction book THE ATROCITIES is on sale today for $1.99 on Kindle. I have no idea how long this sale will last.
www.amazon.com/Atrocities-J...
My Shirley Jackson Award-nominated gothic fiction book THE ATROCITIES is on sale today for $1.99 on Kindle. I have no idea how long this sale will last.
www.amazon.com/Atrocities-J...
December 4, 2025 at 7:31 PM
#signalboost for an excellent author!
ICYMI…
Today, I’m getting into the true spirit of Christmas - and that means MURDER, of course - with Alexandra Benedict’s new novel The Christmas Cracker Killer. A group of guests marooned in a luxury hotel. And a killer among them… Lovely! Out now.
bluebookballoon.blogspot.com/2025/12/revi...
bluebookballoon.blogspot.com/2025/12/revi...
Review - The Christmas Cracker Killer by Alexandra Benedict
The Christmas Cracker Killer Alexandra Benedict Simon & Schuster, 6 November 2026 Available as: HB, 304pp, audio, e Source: Advance e-co...
bluebookballoon.blogspot.com
December 4, 2025 at 7:31 PM
ICYMI…
Reposted by David
Thomas I (of Bayeux), first Norman archbishop of York and founder of its Norman cathedral, consecrated Anselm, pictured, as archbishop of Canterbury #OTD in 1093. 📸Bodleian Library #medievalsky
December 4, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Thomas I (of Bayeux), first Norman archbishop of York and founder of its Norman cathedral, consecrated Anselm, pictured, as archbishop of Canterbury #OTD in 1093. 📸Bodleian Library #medievalsky
Today, I’m getting into the true spirit of Christmas - and that means MURDER, of course - with Alexandra Benedict’s new novel The Christmas Cracker Killer. A group of guests marooned in a luxury hotel. And a killer among them… Lovely! Out now.
bluebookballoon.blogspot.com/2025/12/revi...
bluebookballoon.blogspot.com/2025/12/revi...
Review - The Christmas Cracker Killer by Alexandra Benedict
The Christmas Cracker Killer Alexandra Benedict Simon & Schuster, 6 November 2026 Available as: HB, 304pp, audio, e Source: Advance e-co...
bluebookballoon.blogspot.com
December 4, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Today, I’m getting into the true spirit of Christmas - and that means MURDER, of course - with Alexandra Benedict’s new novel The Christmas Cracker Killer. A group of guests marooned in a luxury hotel. And a killer among them… Lovely! Out now.
bluebookballoon.blogspot.com/2025/12/revi...
bluebookballoon.blogspot.com/2025/12/revi...
Reposted by David
Finished a messy first draft of the next Skelfs book this morning. Still LOADS of work to do, but always happy to reach this stage. Ghost Notes, my 20th novel, will be published in August by @orendabooks.bsky.social.
December 3, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Reposted by David
Thames Water boss addressing shareholders on its half year profits of £400 million
December 3, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Thames Water boss addressing shareholders on its half year profits of £400 million
Reposted by David
In an expensive suburb I see a sudden excess of outdoor decoration. No fun display for the kids, sacrifices made, but a sign, without goodwill: we have money to burn
My eye flicks up. Almost fully waxed, the moon is ice-bright silver, cold. Towards it, vertiginous alps of cloud, snowy & dark, soar
My eye flicks up. Almost fully waxed, the moon is ice-bright silver, cold. Towards it, vertiginous alps of cloud, snowy & dark, soar
December 3, 2025 at 6:56 PM
In an expensive suburb I see a sudden excess of outdoor decoration. No fun display for the kids, sacrifices made, but a sign, without goodwill: we have money to burn
My eye flicks up. Almost fully waxed, the moon is ice-bright silver, cold. Towards it, vertiginous alps of cloud, snowy & dark, soar
My eye flicks up. Almost fully waxed, the moon is ice-bright silver, cold. Towards it, vertiginous alps of cloud, snowy & dark, soar