Duncan Porter
@misterduncan.bsky.social
Environment, nature, tech, music, bikes. Bristol based and born at 330PPM
Just finished reading Crime & Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky.
Not at all what I expected. A dense personal & psychological story of the consequences & morality. A supremely clever book that well deserves it's reputation.
Some of the longest monologues I've ever read.
#booksky
1/2
Not at all what I expected. A dense personal & psychological story of the consequences & morality. A supremely clever book that well deserves it's reputation.
Some of the longest monologues I've ever read.
#booksky
1/2
December 20, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Just finished reading Crime & Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky.
Not at all what I expected. A dense personal & psychological story of the consequences & morality. A supremely clever book that well deserves it's reputation.
Some of the longest monologues I've ever read.
#booksky
1/2
Not at all what I expected. A dense personal & psychological story of the consequences & morality. A supremely clever book that well deserves it's reputation.
Some of the longest monologues I've ever read.
#booksky
1/2
Just finished reading Revolution in the Head by Ian Macdonald.
Every Beatles song recorded in date order, with loads of technical information.
The best thing about this book though is the extraordinary story the band told through the songs & how the songs are improved with context.
#booksky
1/3
Every Beatles song recorded in date order, with loads of technical information.
The best thing about this book though is the extraordinary story the band told through the songs & how the songs are improved with context.
#booksky
1/3
December 19, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Just finished reading Revolution in the Head by Ian Macdonald.
Every Beatles song recorded in date order, with loads of technical information.
The best thing about this book though is the extraordinary story the band told through the songs & how the songs are improved with context.
#booksky
1/3
Every Beatles song recorded in date order, with loads of technical information.
The best thing about this book though is the extraordinary story the band told through the songs & how the songs are improved with context.
#booksky
1/3
The Wikipedia page for Timothy Leary is quite the rabbit hole.
December 16, 2025 at 9:49 AM
The Wikipedia page for Timothy Leary is quite the rabbit hole.
Just finished reading Erasure by Percival Everett.
My third Everett & each one has been tremendous.
Erasure is really funny while also asking some serious questions & going into some tricky places. Monk is oddly unemotional & an asshole at times, but a great protagonist.
1/3
#booksy
My third Everett & each one has been tremendous.
Erasure is really funny while also asking some serious questions & going into some tricky places. Monk is oddly unemotional & an asshole at times, but a great protagonist.
1/3
#booksy
December 15, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Just finished reading Erasure by Percival Everett.
My third Everett & each one has been tremendous.
Erasure is really funny while also asking some serious questions & going into some tricky places. Monk is oddly unemotional & an asshole at times, but a great protagonist.
1/3
#booksy
My third Everett & each one has been tremendous.
Erasure is really funny while also asking some serious questions & going into some tricky places. Monk is oddly unemotional & an asshole at times, but a great protagonist.
1/3
#booksy
Just finished reading H is for Hawk by @hjm.bsky.social
A memoir about training Mabel the goshawk after her father's death.
Really enjoyed this, especially the complex process of building the relationship with Mabel. Learned a lot about falconry & its language along the way.
#booksky
A memoir about training Mabel the goshawk after her father's death.
Really enjoyed this, especially the complex process of building the relationship with Mabel. Learned a lot about falconry & its language along the way.
#booksky
December 13, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Just finished reading H is for Hawk by @hjm.bsky.social
A memoir about training Mabel the goshawk after her father's death.
Really enjoyed this, especially the complex process of building the relationship with Mabel. Learned a lot about falconry & its language along the way.
#booksky
A memoir about training Mabel the goshawk after her father's death.
Really enjoyed this, especially the complex process of building the relationship with Mabel. Learned a lot about falconry & its language along the way.
#booksky
Grok owning up to bias to Musk.
There's a strong argument for real independent assessment & regulation of these platforms. I see many people defaulting to complete trust of the output from ChatGPT, Grok & Gemini, but routinely see them making fundamental mistakes & false claims.
There's a strong argument for real independent assessment & regulation of these platforms. I see many people defaulting to complete trust of the output from ChatGPT, Grok & Gemini, but routinely see them making fundamental mistakes & false claims.
December 13, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Grok owning up to bias to Musk.
There's a strong argument for real independent assessment & regulation of these platforms. I see many people defaulting to complete trust of the output from ChatGPT, Grok & Gemini, but routinely see them making fundamental mistakes & false claims.
There's a strong argument for real independent assessment & regulation of these platforms. I see many people defaulting to complete trust of the output from ChatGPT, Grok & Gemini, but routinely see them making fundamental mistakes & false claims.
Just finished reading The Lying Life of Adults by Elena Ferrante.
Essentially the story of a teenage girl's journey into adulthood in Naples, but really so much more.
The way Elena tackles adolescence & the inner journey, is transcendental. Giovanna is such a compelling protagonist.
#booksky
1/3
Essentially the story of a teenage girl's journey into adulthood in Naples, but really so much more.
The way Elena tackles adolescence & the inner journey, is transcendental. Giovanna is such a compelling protagonist.
#booksky
1/3
December 6, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Just finished reading The Lying Life of Adults by Elena Ferrante.
Essentially the story of a teenage girl's journey into adulthood in Naples, but really so much more.
The way Elena tackles adolescence & the inner journey, is transcendental. Giovanna is such a compelling protagonist.
#booksky
1/3
Essentially the story of a teenage girl's journey into adulthood in Naples, but really so much more.
The way Elena tackles adolescence & the inner journey, is transcendental. Giovanna is such a compelling protagonist.
#booksky
1/3
Just finished reading Cursed Bread by Sophie Mackintosh.
Loved the writing. After a long day I'm struggling to figure out how to describe the book. - a compliment!
I will add thoughts tomorrow, after some time to process.
#booksky
Loved the writing. After a long day I'm struggling to figure out how to describe the book. - a compliment!
I will add thoughts tomorrow, after some time to process.
#booksky
December 3, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Just finished reading Cursed Bread by Sophie Mackintosh.
Loved the writing. After a long day I'm struggling to figure out how to describe the book. - a compliment!
I will add thoughts tomorrow, after some time to process.
#booksky
Loved the writing. After a long day I'm struggling to figure out how to describe the book. - a compliment!
I will add thoughts tomorrow, after some time to process.
#booksky
Just finished reading This Way Up (when maps go wrong & why it matters) by @markcooperjones.bsky.social & @jayforeman.bsky.social
I love maps, so this book was a lot of fun & very interesting. If you really hate maps, probably choose another book.
Vol 2 soon please!
#booksky
I love maps, so this book was a lot of fun & very interesting. If you really hate maps, probably choose another book.
Vol 2 soon please!
#booksky
November 29, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Just finished reading This Way Up (when maps go wrong & why it matters) by @markcooperjones.bsky.social & @jayforeman.bsky.social
I love maps, so this book was a lot of fun & very interesting. If you really hate maps, probably choose another book.
Vol 2 soon please!
#booksky
I love maps, so this book was a lot of fun & very interesting. If you really hate maps, probably choose another book.
Vol 2 soon please!
#booksky
Just finished reading The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak.
It's a simple story about the terrible conflict in Cyprus & the love between Greek & Turkish teenagers, told over three time periods with part of the narrative coming from a fig tree.
It was profoundly moving.
#booksky
1/2
It's a simple story about the terrible conflict in Cyprus & the love between Greek & Turkish teenagers, told over three time periods with part of the narrative coming from a fig tree.
It was profoundly moving.
#booksky
1/2
November 28, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Just finished reading The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak.
It's a simple story about the terrible conflict in Cyprus & the love between Greek & Turkish teenagers, told over three time periods with part of the narrative coming from a fig tree.
It was profoundly moving.
#booksky
1/2
It's a simple story about the terrible conflict in Cyprus & the love between Greek & Turkish teenagers, told over three time periods with part of the narrative coming from a fig tree.
It was profoundly moving.
#booksky
1/2
Just finished reading The Place of Tides by @herdyshepherd.bsky.social
I went in completely cold having enjoyed English Pastoral so much, but this is a very different book, focusing primarily on Eider duck farming (feels like the wrong word) in Norway.
#booksky
1/3
I went in completely cold having enjoyed English Pastoral so much, but this is a very different book, focusing primarily on Eider duck farming (feels like the wrong word) in Norway.
#booksky
1/3
November 24, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Just finished reading The Place of Tides by @herdyshepherd.bsky.social
I went in completely cold having enjoyed English Pastoral so much, but this is a very different book, focusing primarily on Eider duck farming (feels like the wrong word) in Norway.
#booksky
1/3
I went in completely cold having enjoyed English Pastoral so much, but this is a very different book, focusing primarily on Eider duck farming (feels like the wrong word) in Norway.
#booksky
1/3
Just finished reading The Colour Purple by Alice Walker.
A very well crafted & moving novel. It's amazing how many tropes are dodged & how authentic it feels.
Also, it covers so much ground: poverty, racism, colonialism, sexuality, forgiveness.
The last few pages was a lot.
#booksky
A very well crafted & moving novel. It's amazing how many tropes are dodged & how authentic it feels.
Also, it covers so much ground: poverty, racism, colonialism, sexuality, forgiveness.
The last few pages was a lot.
#booksky
November 23, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Just finished reading The Colour Purple by Alice Walker.
A very well crafted & moving novel. It's amazing how many tropes are dodged & how authentic it feels.
Also, it covers so much ground: poverty, racism, colonialism, sexuality, forgiveness.
The last few pages was a lot.
#booksky
A very well crafted & moving novel. It's amazing how many tropes are dodged & how authentic it feels.
Also, it covers so much ground: poverty, racism, colonialism, sexuality, forgiveness.
The last few pages was a lot.
#booksky
Just finished reading Bringing Back the Beavers by Derek Gow.
By far the book that's made me laugh the most this year. Derek is a legend, an inspiration & a great writer.
His knowledge & love of rewilding radiates throughout. It's almost a manifesto for conservation action.
#booksky
1/2
By far the book that's made me laugh the most this year. Derek is a legend, an inspiration & a great writer.
His knowledge & love of rewilding radiates throughout. It's almost a manifesto for conservation action.
#booksky
1/2
November 21, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Just finished reading Bringing Back the Beavers by Derek Gow.
By far the book that's made me laugh the most this year. Derek is a legend, an inspiration & a great writer.
His knowledge & love of rewilding radiates throughout. It's almost a manifesto for conservation action.
#booksky
1/2
By far the book that's made me laugh the most this year. Derek is a legend, an inspiration & a great writer.
His knowledge & love of rewilding radiates throughout. It's almost a manifesto for conservation action.
#booksky
1/2
Love to @jayforeman.bsky.social & @markcooperjones.bsky.social for shitting on Kensington & Chelsea cycling infrastructure in the Map Men Map Men Map Map Map Men Men book 👌
November 20, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Love to @jayforeman.bsky.social & @markcooperjones.bsky.social for shitting on Kensington & Chelsea cycling infrastructure in the Map Men Map Men Map Map Map Men Men book 👌
Just finished reading Boy Parts by Eliza Clark.
A brilliantly written, but increasingly uncomfortable book. It's hard to really clarify who's a victim, who's exploited or exploiting, what's real, What's a distortion, a bad memory or fiction.
#booksky
1/2
A brilliantly written, but increasingly uncomfortable book. It's hard to really clarify who's a victim, who's exploited or exploiting, what's real, What's a distortion, a bad memory or fiction.
#booksky
1/2
November 20, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Just finished reading Boy Parts by Eliza Clark.
A brilliantly written, but increasingly uncomfortable book. It's hard to really clarify who's a victim, who's exploited or exploiting, what's real, What's a distortion, a bad memory or fiction.
#booksky
1/2
A brilliantly written, but increasingly uncomfortable book. It's hard to really clarify who's a victim, who's exploited or exploiting, what's real, What's a distortion, a bad memory or fiction.
#booksky
1/2
Just finished reading Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier.
I don't think I'd have read this ten years ago, but I genuinely really enjoyed this.
The atmosphere & the tension were great. Mary was a genuinely interesting & strong character.
Full of surprises.
#booksky
I don't think I'd have read this ten years ago, but I genuinely really enjoyed this.
The atmosphere & the tension were great. Mary was a genuinely interesting & strong character.
Full of surprises.
#booksky
November 19, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Just finished reading Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier.
I don't think I'd have read this ten years ago, but I genuinely really enjoyed this.
The atmosphere & the tension were great. Mary was a genuinely interesting & strong character.
Full of surprises.
#booksky
I don't think I'd have read this ten years ago, but I genuinely really enjoyed this.
The atmosphere & the tension were great. Mary was a genuinely interesting & strong character.
Full of surprises.
#booksky
Very kind of Cloudflare to topple the web services house of cards just as UK pubs are opening 👍
Can't even check Down Detector as it use's CF's captcha service 😅
Can't even check Down Detector as it use's CF's captcha service 😅
November 18, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Very kind of Cloudflare to topple the web services house of cards just as UK pubs are opening 👍
Can't even check Down Detector as it use's CF's captcha service 😅
Can't even check Down Detector as it use's CF's captcha service 😅
Just finished To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.
Another classic lit book I skipped in my youth, but I wish I'd read it long ago.
Loved every moment of how this story unfolded. Captivating writing & a fascinating cast of characters that creates something really special.
But...
#booksky
1/3
Another classic lit book I skipped in my youth, but I wish I'd read it long ago.
Loved every moment of how this story unfolded. Captivating writing & a fascinating cast of characters that creates something really special.
But...
#booksky
1/3
November 14, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Just finished To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.
Another classic lit book I skipped in my youth, but I wish I'd read it long ago.
Loved every moment of how this story unfolded. Captivating writing & a fascinating cast of characters that creates something really special.
But...
#booksky
1/3
Another classic lit book I skipped in my youth, but I wish I'd read it long ago.
Loved every moment of how this story unfolded. Captivating writing & a fascinating cast of characters that creates something really special.
But...
#booksky
1/3
November 12, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Just finished reading Trust Exercise by Susan Choi.
I looked at reviews after reading this & could see it's a bit of a love it or hate it book. I thought this book was incredible. Susan's prose is remarkable. The structure was critical to the narrative.
#booksky
1/3
I looked at reviews after reading this & could see it's a bit of a love it or hate it book. I thought this book was incredible. Susan's prose is remarkable. The structure was critical to the narrative.
#booksky
1/3
November 12, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Just finished reading Trust Exercise by Susan Choi.
I looked at reviews after reading this & could see it's a bit of a love it or hate it book. I thought this book was incredible. Susan's prose is remarkable. The structure was critical to the narrative.
#booksky
1/3
I looked at reviews after reading this & could see it's a bit of a love it or hate it book. I thought this book was incredible. Susan's prose is remarkable. The structure was critical to the narrative.
#booksky
1/3
Just finished reading Death and the Penguin Andrey Kurkov.
A satire about post-Soviet Ukraine in the 90s, about a writer creating obituaries for the not yet dead.
I wanted to like it, but I found it a bit flat & empty. I felt like I was missing some absent context.
#booksky
A satire about post-Soviet Ukraine in the 90s, about a writer creating obituaries for the not yet dead.
I wanted to like it, but I found it a bit flat & empty. I felt like I was missing some absent context.
#booksky
November 10, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Just finished reading Death and the Penguin Andrey Kurkov.
A satire about post-Soviet Ukraine in the 90s, about a writer creating obituaries for the not yet dead.
I wanted to like it, but I found it a bit flat & empty. I felt like I was missing some absent context.
#booksky
A satire about post-Soviet Ukraine in the 90s, about a writer creating obituaries for the not yet dead.
I wanted to like it, but I found it a bit flat & empty. I felt like I was missing some absent context.
#booksky
Why is my willow branch grey? An infection?
Closer look: giant willow aphids!
The wasps seemed very interested in them.
Closer look: giant willow aphids!
The wasps seemed very interested in them.
November 8, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Why is my willow branch grey? An infection?
Closer look: giant willow aphids!
The wasps seemed very interested in them.
Closer look: giant willow aphids!
The wasps seemed very interested in them.
Just finished reading Black Rain by Masuji Ibuse - a novel based on factual accounts of the bombing of Hiroshima.
An incredible piece of work, but it broke me. Anyone who advocates for nuclear weapons should read this.
#booksky
An incredible piece of work, but it broke me. Anyone who advocates for nuclear weapons should read this.
#booksky
November 6, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Just finished reading Black Rain by Masuji Ibuse - a novel based on factual accounts of the bombing of Hiroshima.
An incredible piece of work, but it broke me. Anyone who advocates for nuclear weapons should read this.
#booksky
An incredible piece of work, but it broke me. Anyone who advocates for nuclear weapons should read this.
#booksky
Sell people hope & a promise to try to improve their communities & lives, rather than a slightly bluer shade of the same politics.
November 5, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Sell people hope & a promise to try to improve their communities & lives, rather than a slightly bluer shade of the same politics.
Just finished reading Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead by @emilyraustin.bsky.social
I connected with this book in ways I never expected. It was warm, funny & had an unusual heart to it.
It was an amazing portrayal of anxiety, depression & chronic people pleasing.
#booksky
1/2
I connected with this book in ways I never expected. It was warm, funny & had an unusual heart to it.
It was an amazing portrayal of anxiety, depression & chronic people pleasing.
#booksky
1/2
November 4, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Just finished reading Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead by @emilyraustin.bsky.social
I connected with this book in ways I never expected. It was warm, funny & had an unusual heart to it.
It was an amazing portrayal of anxiety, depression & chronic people pleasing.
#booksky
1/2
I connected with this book in ways I never expected. It was warm, funny & had an unusual heart to it.
It was an amazing portrayal of anxiety, depression & chronic people pleasing.
#booksky
1/2