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
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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
This is such brilliant archaeology. There's a bit of a persistent story that Britain was somehow culturally separate from europe in the Roman empire when it was so intertwined and connected by people and goods travelling.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Rare mosaic in Rutland reveals forgotten Trojan War tale - BBC News
A paper by experts at the University of Leicester has been described as a "fascinating development".
www.bbc.co.uk
December 7, 2025 at 2:48 PM
This is such brilliant archaeology. There's a bit of a persistent story that Britain was somehow culturally separate from europe in the Roman empire when it was so intertwined and connected by people and goods travelling.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by David
Lovelies, it's dark outside, so why not get a cup of something warm and comforting and join me for today's Tea and Sanctuary advent calendar?
teaandsanctuary.com/e/advent-202...
teaandsanctuary.com/e/advent-202...
Advent 2025 Day 8 | Tea and Sanctuary
In today's advent calendar, I found a mysterious teabag and also a link to some traditional carols that you can find here: https://tidal.com/album/325660910
Em x
If you enjoy the show, and want to ...
teaandsanctuary.com
December 7, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Lovelies, it's dark outside, so why not get a cup of something warm and comforting and join me for today's Tea and Sanctuary advent calendar?
teaandsanctuary.com/e/advent-202...
teaandsanctuary.com/e/advent-202...
That “which lines of poetry live rent-free in your head?” Thing.
For me, these days, it’s increasingly “The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity”
For me, these days, it’s increasingly “The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity”
December 7, 2025 at 6:26 PM
That “which lines of poetry live rent-free in your head?” Thing.
For me, these days, it’s increasingly “The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity”
For me, these days, it’s increasingly “The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity”
Reposted by David
Enjoy the Sunday caption contest. Give away ❤️s, retweet to encourage more competitors, include #GirlsOwnCC
December 7, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Enjoy the Sunday caption contest. Give away ❤️s, retweet to encourage more competitors, include #GirlsOwnCC
Reposted by David
Phernḗ is the Ancient Greek word for a dowry, derived from the common verb phérein 'to bring', as it's what a wife brought with her.
Parápherna were a wife's property separate from a dowry. This term was adopted into Latin, and from the Latin adjective paraphernālis, English gets 'paraphernalia'.
Parápherna were a wife's property separate from a dowry. This term was adopted into Latin, and from the Latin adjective paraphernālis, English gets 'paraphernalia'.
December 7, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Phernḗ is the Ancient Greek word for a dowry, derived from the common verb phérein 'to bring', as it's what a wife brought with her.
Parápherna were a wife's property separate from a dowry. This term was adopted into Latin, and from the Latin adjective paraphernālis, English gets 'paraphernalia'.
Parápherna were a wife's property separate from a dowry. This term was adopted into Latin, and from the Latin adjective paraphernālis, English gets 'paraphernalia'.
Reposted by David
Lately? Honestly?
"That England, that was wont to conquer others,
Hath made a shameful conquest of itself."
Though sometimes I swap out "England" for somewhere else.
"That England, that was wont to conquer others,
Hath made a shameful conquest of itself."
Though sometimes I swap out "England" for somewhere else.
Which lines of poetry live rent-free in your head?
December 7, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Lately? Honestly?
"That England, that was wont to conquer others,
Hath made a shameful conquest of itself."
Though sometimes I swap out "England" for somewhere else.
"That England, that was wont to conquer others,
Hath made a shameful conquest of itself."
Though sometimes I swap out "England" for somewhere else.
Reposted by David
I’ll be so glad when 2025 is finally over so I can begin a new year with fresh fear and dread.
December 7, 2025 at 1:24 PM
I’ll be so glad when 2025 is finally over so I can begin a new year with fresh fear and dread.
Reposted by David
I think we just have to accept this book will never end. It will just grow bigger and bigger, ballooning into a 1000 pages, then doubling, over and over, until the heat death of the universe
giant space opera (tm) update: yeah, still going. still... goiiinng... sttiiiiilllll..... ggggoooooooo iiiiiiii nnnnnn gggggg....
December 7, 2025 at 1:32 PM
I think we just have to accept this book will never end. It will just grow bigger and bigger, ballooning into a 1000 pages, then doubling, over and over, until the heat death of the universe
Want to watch
3pm ITV: MARI LWYD POPPINS. The magical horse skulled nanny turns up to take the Banks children on another nightmarish adventure.
December 7, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Want to watch
Reposted by David
THREAD.
A collection of photographs of excellent goats I have met during walks in the British countryside.
You will find the captions to each photo in the alt text.
A collection of photographs of excellent goats I have met during walks in the British countryside.
You will find the captions to each photo in the alt text.
December 7, 2025 at 12:39 PM
THREAD.
A collection of photographs of excellent goats I have met during walks in the British countryside.
You will find the captions to each photo in the alt text.
A collection of photographs of excellent goats I have met during walks in the British countryside.
You will find the captions to each photo in the alt text.
Reposted by David
Good Morning Blue Sky! Hope you’re all ok? Today I’m currently reading ITCH! By Gemma Amor. What are you reading at the moment?
December 7, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Good Morning Blue Sky! Hope you’re all ok? Today I’m currently reading ITCH! By Gemma Amor. What are you reading at the moment?
Reposted by David
Dec 7: Feast of Nativity of Colum Cille (Columba), founder of Iona, born in Ireland #OTD in 521. He consecrated Áedán mac Gabráin as king of Dál Riata; preached to the Picts, including ‘the tribes of Tay’; and reputedly banished a monster from the River Ness. 📸Bodleian Libraries #medievalsky
December 7, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Dec 7: Feast of Nativity of Colum Cille (Columba), founder of Iona, born in Ireland #OTD in 521. He consecrated Áedán mac Gabráin as king of Dál Riata; preached to the Picts, including ‘the tribes of Tay’; and reputedly banished a monster from the River Ness. 📸Bodleian Libraries #medievalsky
Reposted by David
Dec 7: Feast of Diuma (†658), bishop of the Middle Angles and Mercians. One of four priests sent by Finan, bishop of Lindisfarne, to evangelise Mercia after the baptism of Peada son of Penda. Later ordained bishop, the Irishman worked mainly among the Middle Angles. 📸hel-hama #medievalsky
December 7, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Dec 7: Feast of Diuma (†658), bishop of the Middle Angles and Mercians. One of four priests sent by Finan, bishop of Lindisfarne, to evangelise Mercia after the baptism of Peada son of Penda. Later ordained bishop, the Irishman worked mainly among the Middle Angles. 📸hel-hama #medievalsky
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.