Off to the library. Still thrills 50-odd years after my first visit, and I hope it always will. What will I find? #Booksky

I read it 20-odd years ago, but it's stayed with me. A rollicking adventure story, but one with an important message about the nature of revenge.

Ridiculously, I once calculated how many books I'm likely to read in the rest of my life. Never again.

It's a very dark narrative - as it should be, given the subject matter - but also a hopeful one. I came to it without knowing much, which I think is the best way to read it. #Booksky

This was originally published as four separate novellas, and I liked how each part stood on its own, but linked to the other parts.

The cover of John Boyne's book 'The Elements'.

Book 24 of 2026 #Booksky

Boyne reminds me of Steinbeck: his prose is seemingly simple, but utterly unflinching. I enjoyed this very much, despite parts being a gruelling read.

A reminder that we did this.

(And had to pay Mirror Group Newspapers for the copyright of the text, one of the finest rights payments I’ve ever approved.)

John Boyne's 'The Elements' - well up to his usual high standard.

#FridayFive
1. Paperback Writer - The Beatles
2. Voodoo Chile - Jimi Hendrix
3. Changeling - DJ Shadow
4. Dark Mavis - Mansun
5. The World Is My Ashtray - Deejay Punk Roc

Good luck to all school staff heading back tomorrow. I feel anxious, and probably won't sleep much, but I'll try to take the day one thing at a time, and not worry about too far ahead. #Edusky

@hollowcrownfans.bsky.social

'Stars, hide your fires - let not light see my black and deep desires.' Macbeth. #shakespearesunday

I'd watch that every time.

When in doubt, the French put butter on anything. Or wine.

Same as it ever was. Disgraceful behaviour from the head.

I will seek it out, thanks.

The cover of Stefan Zweig's memoir 'The World of Yesterday'.

I've only read the foreword, but this is excellent. #Booksky

I'm not I have, but I'm enjoying this very much. I became aware of him because of a (long-forgotten) interest in chess, which I know he wrote about. Easier to get hold of his work now than then, I think.

'I have been a defenceless, helpless witness of the unimaginable relapse of mankind into what was believed to be long-forgotten barbarism, with its deliberate programme of inhuman dogma.'

'We all feel: this is too much! My today is so different from all my yesterdays.'

'Against my will I have witnessed the most terrible defeat of reason and the most savage triumph of brutality.'

The cover of Stefan Zweig's memoir of the early 20th century 'The World of Yesterday'.

Wow. I'm just getting started on this, a very thoughtful Secret Santa present from a colleague, but even the foreword hits home. Zweig, writing in the early 1940s, is describing the interwar period - but he could be describing today.

Although I might have read a couple years ago; but I don't remember them, so they don't count. #Booksky

Two down, 73 to go... #Booksky

The cover of Georges Simenon's Maigret policier 'The Hanged Man of Saint-Pholien'.

Book 23 of 2026 #Booksky

This also called to me from its library shelf, and as they have a bunch of these I'm going to commit to reading all 75 Maigret novels.

And this one was a goodie: a mysterious suicide, a blood-stained suit and a past that won't stay buried. What more could you want?

The cover of Oliver Burkeman's self-help book 'Four Thousand Weeks'.

Book 22 of 2026 #Booksky

I'm not big on self-help books, but I've been thinking for some while how to make better use of my time (and think about work less), and so this called to me from the library shelves.

And I'm glad it did - this was full of thoughtful advice and kindness.

The Lottery YouTube video by Shirley Jackson - Topic

youtu.be/SxmS43FJL6g?...

I very much enjoyed the chapter on Jackson's short story 'The Lottery', one of the best ever written (for me) and hugely controversial when first published. AND there's a recording of Jackson reading it, available on YouTube. #Booksky

The cover of Ruth Franklin's biography 'Shirley Jackson: A Rather Haunted Life'.

Book 21 of 2016 #Booksky

A very enjoyable and exhaustive biography of one of my favourite writers. It's added another dimension to Jackson's novels, and the book is also excellent at unlocking her writing process.

Bed. Don't want to wake up late for Armageddon.

If we're still here tomorrow, I have some great news.

Wednesday is #buyastrangerabook day!

People buy each other books cos they want to and they're ace.

It'll kick off at a little after midday (GMT).

Books not Bombs

www.biggreenbookshop.com/stuff-you-mi...