Brian C. Veteran Bookseller
@chainborne.bsky.social
Bookseller (British, bearded, bespectacled, bald). Fantasy-fan. Sci-Fi guy. Word-nerd. He/Him.
On a mission to read all the middle-grade science fiction books.
On a mission to read all the middle-grade science fiction books.
My mum used to send me off to bed by wishing me "Good Night, God Bless", except it was always abbreviated to "Night God Bless", and now I'm wondering what dark deity she unwittingly invoked all those years, and what umbral benisons it may have granted me.
December 14, 2025 at 11:34 PM
My mum used to send me off to bed by wishing me "Good Night, God Bless", except it was always abbreviated to "Night God Bless", and now I'm wondering what dark deity she unwittingly invoked all those years, and what umbral benisons it may have granted me.
How come I have printed T-shirts that are 20+ years old and still good, but the prints on modern (branded) tees seem to disintegrate after just a few months?
December 11, 2025 at 11:01 AM
How come I have printed T-shirts that are 20+ years old and still good, but the prints on modern (branded) tees seem to disintegrate after just a few months?
Is there a mnemonic to help you remember that Kimmel is the good Jimmy and Fallon is the bad one?
December 9, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Is there a mnemonic to help you remember that Kimmel is the good Jimmy and Fallon is the bad one?
Vaguely reassured that even after taking dozens of selfies over the years, Google Photos apparently has no idea what I'll look like. 🤷♂️
In the picture are
1. Author Caim (C. K.) McDonnell
2. Actor Richard Dormer as Captain Vimes
3. Honestly not sure who that is, but it's not me.
(I did not tap)
In the picture are
1. Author Caim (C. K.) McDonnell
2. Actor Richard Dormer as Captain Vimes
3. Honestly not sure who that is, but it's not me.
(I did not tap)
![A screenshot from Google Photos personalised round-up of 2025, inviting me to "Tap on your face to personalised your experience" with further text which reads "Not seeing you? [Show More]"
Underneath are three roundels with cropped headshots from my gallery of the two men mentioned in the post, and a black & white headshot of an attractive brunette lady, possibly another author from a book jacket.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5l4ffkowbyiezvh5ye3tqrft/bafkreidukhdlkwo354bcdlx2iwr6yovx4gehzbrcuyx3cnusdmc5bxampa@jpeg)
December 7, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Vaguely reassured that even after taking dozens of selfies over the years, Google Photos apparently has no idea what I'll look like. 🤷♂️
In the picture are
1. Author Caim (C. K.) McDonnell
2. Actor Richard Dormer as Captain Vimes
3. Honestly not sure who that is, but it's not me.
(I did not tap)
In the picture are
1. Author Caim (C. K.) McDonnell
2. Actor Richard Dormer as Captain Vimes
3. Honestly not sure who that is, but it's not me.
(I did not tap)
Showing off my digital media collection:
"These shows default to the original language with English subtitles, but *these* ones do that AND have chapter breaks for Prologue, Opening & End Credits and Epilogue/Preview, and *these* ones do all of that AND have proper Title tags for every episode..."
"These shows default to the original language with English subtitles, but *these* ones do that AND have chapter breaks for Prologue, Opening & End Credits and Epilogue/Preview, and *these* ones do all of that AND have proper Title tags for every episode..."
December 4, 2025 at 4:34 AM
Showing off my digital media collection:
"These shows default to the original language with English subtitles, but *these* ones do that AND have chapter breaks for Prologue, Opening & End Credits and Epilogue/Preview, and *these* ones do all of that AND have proper Title tags for every episode..."
"These shows default to the original language with English subtitles, but *these* ones do that AND have chapter breaks for Prologue, Opening & End Credits and Epilogue/Preview, and *these* ones do all of that AND have proper Title tags for every episode..."
@robynholdaway.bsky.social I think you'll like this story-behind-a-story. 😊
Eleven years ago, I wrote to Tom Stoppard to ask about this coup de théâtre from 1949. It took me down an unexpected rabbit hole - in memory of Stoppard, here's what I found.
December 1, 2025 at 12:39 PM
@robynholdaway.bsky.social I think you'll like this story-behind-a-story. 😊
The only reason I turned off Gmail's "Smart Features" btw is that I logged into Gmail on the Windows desktop for the first time in a long while, and it ran like absolute ass while telling me my browser was out of date.
Now I can't access Gmail's email Categories (Promotions, etc.) on my phone...
Now I can't access Gmail's email Categories (Promotions, etc.) on my phone...
I'll say this for it, turning off Gmail's "Smart Features" has finally forced me to clean out my inbox.
November 30, 2025 at 8:40 AM
The only reason I turned off Gmail's "Smart Features" btw is that I logged into Gmail on the Windows desktop for the first time in a long while, and it ran like absolute ass while telling me my browser was out of date.
Now I can't access Gmail's email Categories (Promotions, etc.) on my phone...
Now I can't access Gmail's email Categories (Promotions, etc.) on my phone...
I'll say this for it, turning off Gmail's "Smart Features" has finally forced me to clean out my inbox.
November 29, 2025 at 11:06 PM
I'll say this for it, turning off Gmail's "Smart Features" has finally forced me to clean out my inbox.
ABOUT FUCKEN TIIIIIIIIIME!!!!! 🗡️
THIS NEWS HAS MADE MY YEAR!! 🥳
THIS NEWS HAS MADE MY YEAR!! 🥳
***ANNOUNCEMENT***
Coming on February 23rd in the UK and February 24th in North America on #4K and Blu-ray from @arrowvideo.bsky.social: #Excalibur (1981)!
FORGED BY A GOD. FORETOLD BY A WIZARD. FOUND BY A KING.
From John Boorman, the director of Point Blank, Deliverance and Zardoz comes
Coming on February 23rd in the UK and February 24th in North America on #4K and Blu-ray from @arrowvideo.bsky.social: #Excalibur (1981)!
FORGED BY A GOD. FORETOLD BY A WIZARD. FOUND BY A KING.
From John Boorman, the director of Point Blank, Deliverance and Zardoz comes
November 28, 2025 at 3:56 PM
ABOUT FUCKEN TIIIIIIIIIME!!!!! 🗡️
THIS NEWS HAS MADE MY YEAR!! 🥳
THIS NEWS HAS MADE MY YEAR!! 🥳
Reposted by Brian C. Veteran Bookseller
Looking for a bespoke Christmas gift? Look no further!
Let me know your preferred book genre/theme and budget and I'll put together a book box for you.
Perfect for hassle-free Christmas gifting! Postage within UK.
#saletown #christmasbookgifts
Let me know your preferred book genre/theme and budget and I'll put together a book box for you.
Perfect for hassle-free Christmas gifting! Postage within UK.
#saletown #christmasbookgifts
November 27, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Looking for a bespoke Christmas gift? Look no further!
Let me know your preferred book genre/theme and budget and I'll put together a book box for you.
Perfect for hassle-free Christmas gifting! Postage within UK.
#saletown #christmasbookgifts
Let me know your preferred book genre/theme and budget and I'll put together a book box for you.
Perfect for hassle-free Christmas gifting! Postage within UK.
#saletown #christmasbookgifts
The cooking instructions on my frozen stone-baked pizza said "you may notice charred areas of dough, this is normal", and I immediately thought that Chardaereus of Doh would be a great name for a renowned wizard or hero character.
November 26, 2025 at 1:49 PM
The cooking instructions on my frozen stone-baked pizza said "you may notice charred areas of dough, this is normal", and I immediately thought that Chardaereus of Doh would be a great name for a renowned wizard or hero character.
Yup. If two different customers ask me for the same book in the space of a week, I'll think "Huh, is this a trend?" and more often than not email my buyer to let them know.
I once asked a bookseller at a large indie store how many people would have to buy a book for it to get the attention of the store buyer and cause an additional order and they said: Three.
I see some book piracy discourse, and, to make a positive argument in favor of buying books, your marginal ability to influence what books get published and support the careers of writers you like is massive compared to most other forms of media.
November 26, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Yup. If two different customers ask me for the same book in the space of a week, I'll think "Huh, is this a trend?" and more often than not email my buyer to let them know.
I've watched quite a lot of isekai anime of varying quality (and er, respectability) this year, but "The Wrong Way To Use Healing Magic" is the first time I've been moved to say "Hey, other people should watch this show!"
It's *funny*, coherent, character-driven & wholesome.
youtu.be/UkPRnHQJrws
It's *funny*, coherent, character-driven & wholesome.
youtu.be/UkPRnHQJrws
The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic | OFFICIAL TRAILER
YouTube video by Crunchyroll
youtu.be
November 20, 2025 at 10:24 AM
I've watched quite a lot of isekai anime of varying quality (and er, respectability) this year, but "The Wrong Way To Use Healing Magic" is the first time I've been moved to say "Hey, other people should watch this show!"
It's *funny*, coherent, character-driven & wholesome.
youtu.be/UkPRnHQJrws
It's *funny*, coherent, character-driven & wholesome.
youtu.be/UkPRnHQJrws
Arrived just too late for #VentressDay, but nice to finally have a Funko of the (formerly) Hairless Harpy!
Of course now I want:
✓ Ventress without skirt
✓ Season 3 outfit
✓ Nightsister
✓ Nightsister with cowl
✓ Bounty Hunter
✓ Bounty Hunter with Helmet
✓ Bad Batch Ventress
@ohcatrina.bsky.social
Of course now I want:
✓ Ventress without skirt
✓ Season 3 outfit
✓ Nightsister
✓ Nightsister with cowl
✓ Bounty Hunter
✓ Bounty Hunter with Helmet
✓ Bad Batch Ventress
@ohcatrina.bsky.social
November 18, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Arrived just too late for #VentressDay, but nice to finally have a Funko of the (formerly) Hairless Harpy!
Of course now I want:
✓ Ventress without skirt
✓ Season 3 outfit
✓ Nightsister
✓ Nightsister with cowl
✓ Bounty Hunter
✓ Bounty Hunter with Helmet
✓ Bad Batch Ventress
@ohcatrina.bsky.social
Of course now I want:
✓ Ventress without skirt
✓ Season 3 outfit
✓ Nightsister
✓ Nightsister with cowl
✓ Bounty Hunter
✓ Bounty Hunter with Helmet
✓ Bad Batch Ventress
@ohcatrina.bsky.social
Apparently this is a perk, not a threat.
November 18, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Apparently this is a perk, not a threat.
One left to get...
Booklovers, your favourite game is back! 📚🔎
Guess all 20 books in the #HiddenBooksGame and you could win a £500/€500 National Book Token to spend in your local bookshop (the best gift ever, in our opinion).
Play now: buff.ly/460M0aR
Guess all 20 books in the #HiddenBooksGame and you could win a £500/€500 National Book Token to spend in your local bookshop (the best gift ever, in our opinion).
Play now: buff.ly/460M0aR
November 15, 2025 at 9:48 PM
One left to get...
Passive income from capital wealth, whether in the form of rental property or interest on investments, is morally suspect at best.
Congrats for hoarding up enough money that it makes you more money, but it's a bit icky.
There's a reason usury used to be a sin.
Congrats for hoarding up enough money that it makes you more money, but it's a bit icky.
There's a reason usury used to be a sin.
"my least woke opinion is---"
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
November 15, 2025 at 2:16 AM
Passive income from capital wealth, whether in the form of rental property or interest on investments, is morally suspect at best.
Congrats for hoarding up enough money that it makes you more money, but it's a bit icky.
There's a reason usury used to be a sin.
Congrats for hoarding up enough money that it makes you more money, but it's a bit icky.
There's a reason usury used to be a sin.
I'm on 10/20 but starting to slow down.
Yeah, sex is cool, but have you ever completed the Hidden Books Game?
20 books to name, can you grab the glory (and maybe even a £500 book token)? hiddenbooks.nationalbooktokens.com?competition=22
20 books to name, can you grab the glory (and maybe even a £500 book token)? hiddenbooks.nationalbooktokens.com?competition=22
November 13, 2025 at 5:10 PM
I'm on 10/20 but starting to slow down.
I'm incapable of shelving, picking or handling a book by Friedrich Nietzsche without the words of Howard Johnson playing in my head...
November 13, 2025 at 9:14 AM
I'm incapable of shelving, picking or handling a book by Friedrich Nietzsche without the words of Howard Johnson playing in my head...
Miracle of miracles I did actually have a successful webchat with a customer service rep who cancelled and refunded the webhosting charge.
What a relief! 😓
What a relief! 😓
Just got hit with the three-yearly auto-renewal fees for webhosting services for the website I never built and had all but forgotten about.
At the no-longer introductory rate.
That's £400 I don't think I'll get back. Their T&C's are quite specific. 🫤
At the no-longer introductory rate.
That's £400 I don't think I'll get back. Their T&C's are quite specific. 🫤
November 12, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Miracle of miracles I did actually have a successful webchat with a customer service rep who cancelled and refunded the webhosting charge.
What a relief! 😓
What a relief! 😓
Just got hit with the three-yearly auto-renewal fees for webhosting services for the website I never built and had all but forgotten about.
At the no-longer introductory rate.
That's £400 I don't think I'll get back. Their T&C's are quite specific. 🫤
At the no-longer introductory rate.
That's £400 I don't think I'll get back. Their T&C's are quite specific. 🫤
November 12, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Just got hit with the three-yearly auto-renewal fees for webhosting services for the website I never built and had all but forgotten about.
At the no-longer introductory rate.
That's £400 I don't think I'll get back. Their T&C's are quite specific. 🫤
At the no-longer introductory rate.
That's £400 I don't think I'll get back. Their T&C's are quite specific. 🫤
Idea: A romance novel set in the American suburbs, called "From HOA to HEA".
November 7, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Idea: A romance novel set in the American suburbs, called "From HOA to HEA".
Reposted by Brian C. Veteran Bookseller
🚨MASSIVE NEWS🚨
One of our most sought after titles that sold out in less than 24 hours is back in stock!
The brilliant and bonkers, darkly comic, animal detective novel a Remington Platypus is available now! Grab yours while stocks last!
share.google/c7Di7sJNkNr8...
One of our most sought after titles that sold out in less than 24 hours is back in stock!
The brilliant and bonkers, darkly comic, animal detective novel a Remington Platypus is available now! Grab yours while stocks last!
share.google/c7Di7sJNkNr8...
November 4, 2025 at 8:56 PM
🚨MASSIVE NEWS🚨
One of our most sought after titles that sold out in less than 24 hours is back in stock!
The brilliant and bonkers, darkly comic, animal detective novel a Remington Platypus is available now! Grab yours while stocks last!
share.google/c7Di7sJNkNr8...
One of our most sought after titles that sold out in less than 24 hours is back in stock!
The brilliant and bonkers, darkly comic, animal detective novel a Remington Platypus is available now! Grab yours while stocks last!
share.google/c7Di7sJNkNr8...
Had an hour to kill before my train home, so I reported - via the customer contact form - the fact that the paperback of Harrow the Ninth weirdly appears to have been memory-holed by our web store. 🤔
Gideon and Nona are listed no problem. 🤷♂️
Gideon and Nona are listed no problem. 🤷♂️
November 2, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Had an hour to kill before my train home, so I reported - via the customer contact form - the fact that the paperback of Harrow the Ninth weirdly appears to have been memory-holed by our web store. 🤔
Gideon and Nona are listed no problem. 🤷♂️
Gideon and Nona are listed no problem. 🤷♂️