Monthly Archives: April 2019

Books finished in the last week Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth, ed. Catherine McIlwaine The Weather on Versimmon, by Matthew Griffiths Alarums and Excursions: Improvising Politics on the European Stage, by Luuk van Middelaar April Books Non-fiction: 7 (YTD 14) Publishing … Continue reading →

Mon, 12:56: The Meteorite Hunters Who Descended on the Carancas Fall https://t.co/mAfbMJCS9B or, “The Mad Scramble to Claim the… https://t.co/gG254DlvHr Mon, 13:24: RT @irishwol: @nwbrux But you know, Big Ben is really the name of the … ok, maybe not … Continue reading →

Second paragraph of third chapter: But this blessed persistence in which affection can take root had been wanting in Gwendolen’s life. It was only a year before her recall from Leubronn that Offendene had been chosen as her mamma’s home, … Continue reading →

Sun, 12:56: Long but worthwhile thread. https://t.co/lwT2wjwOAS Sun, 14:48: About Puberty Blockers https://t.co/5Hl4UrTy37 Busting the transphobes’ myths. Sun, 16:05: Leuven in 48 hours https://t.co/rJpRMv0m6x @heywatsupcourt writes. Sun, 18:04: A Little Life, by Hanya Yanagihara https://t.co/XyHce5k61e Sun, 20:48: The Canonization of … Continue reading →

Second paragraph of third chapter: So they didn’t mind JB deciding for them, not in this case. They figured they could accommodate twenty-five people comfortably, or forty uncomfortably. “So make it forty,” said JB, promptly, as they’d known he would, … Continue reading →

Sat, 12:56: RT @benatipsosmori: The best commissioning letter ever https://t.co/yqrS6EecqW Sat, 15:01: RT @emcmillanscott: “Three PMs, end of the Tory party and either Revoke or a fresh referendum by the end of this year” predicts Matthew Par… Sat, 16:35: RT … Continue reading →

Second paragraph of third chapter: "What's the panic?" asked Ryan. "Who's Attila the Hun?" The two best episodes of last year's Doctor Who series were the two historical settings which are up for the Hugo this year; here, Steve Cole … Continue reading →

Fri, 12:56: Opportunity, a rover on Mars, was declared lost on February 12th https://t.co/HbgMjCvxR9 Lovely @Economist piece. Fri, 16:04: Brexit as seen from Brussels – A free talk by Dr Nicholas Whyte… https://t.co/IoU25H2BDV via @sluggerotoole Fri, 17:11: RT @DataPup_: People … Continue reading →

Thu, 12:56: RT @JennieBujold: I’m no fan of the monarchy, but I’m genuinely grateful for Harry going out on a limb and supporting Mermaids like this. I… Thu, 14:06: RT @Maisie_Williams: if u feel uncomfortable just know that my mother … Continue reading →

Opening of Act III: Four weeks later. The scene is the same save that the room is in a far more advanced state of disorder with posters, stationery, banners, flags and all manner of electioneering paraphernalia. A clock shows that … Continue reading →

Wed, 12:56: The myth of a 10-year grace period, Brexit and trade talks with the EU https://t.co/CM54MhJT5f In case you needed t… https://t.co/vfUfz5xd87 Wed, 14:46: Fantastic, moving, gutwrenching speech by Stephen Lusty at Lyra McKee’s funeral. Wed, 16:05: Who Are … Continue reading →

Second paragraph of third story ("Six Impossible Things", by Simon Guerrier): He lay on the cool, hard floor, waiting for someone to make the obvious gag that their luck would have to change sometime. But no-one spoke and he couldn't … Continue reading →

Tue, 12:56: This is lovely. https://t.co/xbhYEGO7Jd Tue, 13:07: RT @pmdfoster: So. IDS and fellow Brexiteers are back punting the Malthouse compromise…and @theresa_may has “reluctantly” agreed to look… Tue, 15:34: RT @StevenJNorris: OK, cards on the table. Johnson is the only … Continue reading →

Current Dark Lord of Derkholm, by Diana Wynne Jones A Sunless Sea by Anne Perry Last books finished The Botany of Desire, by Michael Pollan Spinning Silver, by Naomi Novik The Day She Saved the Doctor, by Jacqueline Rayner, Jenny … Continue reading →

Mon, 12:34: RT @everywhereist: Inventor of the Dishwasher: I HAVE CREATED SOMETHING THAT WILL MAKE ALL YOUR LIVES EASIER. Humanity: WHOA. So we just p… Mon, 12:56: Fascinating short thread. https://t.co/AFLeDoo4ZO Mon, 15:13: The Capital, by Robert Menasse https://t.co/HklZJWYPKj Mon, … Continue reading →

Second paragraph of third chapter: Es sollte tatsächlich der Tag werden, an dem er Abschied nehmen musste. Er dachte, es wäre der Bauch. Sein großer Blähbauch drückte gegen seine Lunge und presste sie zusammen, so empfand er es und er … Continue reading →

Sun, 12:56: UK-born baby of parents with right to remain given six-month tourist stamp https://t.co/QxwO0SZdc6 “she [the baby]… https://t.co/uE4iWfGRm5 Sun, 12:58: RT @ytterbiumcon: On how she drew Ada Lovelace… “I was in the pub with @Suw, and she said ‘you … Continue reading →

Second paragraph of third chapter: So, I lingered with my family. David made a his classic slow-recovery breakfast: waffles with butter and maple syrup, or ice cream, if you wanted it, which the kids invariably did, except for Jo who … Continue reading →

Sat, 12:35: RT @Glasgowin2024: The news that Glasgow is our bid location was announced at the @ytterbiumcon opening ceremony. And now the news is get… Sat, 16:05: RT @erik_kaars: “We had to kill the Vikings, bc they bathed and brushed … Continue reading →

Second paragraph of third chapter: Henry, of course, was not the only Irish Law Officer of note during this period, and he was assisted by two Solicitor-Generals [sic]; D.M. Wilson, followed by T.W. Brown. Born in Ballymena and son of … Continue reading →

Fri, 12:56: RT @davidottewell: So having analysed the names of 20,000-odd councillors I was going to do a map showing the most common local politicians… Fri, 15:19: RT @SJAMcBride: The leaders of the DUP, Sinn Féin, Ulster Unionist Party, SDLP, … Continue reading →

Second paragraph of third chapter: This was perhaps quite a far-sighted move on my father's part, as my new experience would certainly bring me down to earth with a bump and put me squarely face to face with the realities … Continue reading →

Thu, 12:56: Charlotte Bront�’s hair found in ring on Antiques Roadshow, say experts https://t.co/HNt9FmyIj8 Crumbs! Thu, 16:05: Technology can’t prevent hard border in Ireland if Brexit means customs controls, firms told https://t.co/eg4i4Qrplw Well, strike me pink. Thu, 17:11: RT @roisiningle: … Continue reading →

Pornography meets philosophy today, in two novels both named after their protagonists. Second paragraph of third chapter of Fanny Hill: Alas! it was enough I knew his pleasure to submit joyfully to him, whatever pain I foresaw it would cost … Continue reading →

Wed, 12:56: RT @pmdfoster: So am told this was pretty spicy encounter…but it speaks to the extent that ERG @Jacob_Rees_Mogg @OwenPaterson have just h… Wed, 18:07: Happy Patch: short films in Brussels https://t.co/nTRnEgYgfb Wed, 19:07: Quelle surprise. https://t.co/xRnpyjdilj Wed, 22:39: … Continue reading →

I did something last night I have not done before – I went to the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival, which has been going for about as long as I have been living in Belgium. The partner of one of … Continue reading →

Tue, 12:56: RT @MrEugeneGrant: Thread: #Dwarf people have long since been (over)represented in fantasy. There are more than enough White Male Bearded D… Tue, 15:58: I think you mean third place? 2nd placed Unionist, perhaps. https://t.co/EEBVbRy7TS Tue, 16:05: Well, this … Continue reading →

Current The Botany of Desire, by Michael Pollan Spinning Silver, by Naomi Novik The Day She Saved the Doctor, by Jacqueline Rayner, Jenny T. Colgan, Susan Calman and Dorothy Koomson Last books finished (rather a good week – though some … Continue reading →

Mon, 12:56: How to make a relationship last https://t.co/IkV5BgPr6B @aryngbeck on Brussels. Mon, 13:39: RT @DmitryOpines: How many of those pearl clutching over @DavidLammy have in the last twelve months compared the EU to a dictatorship or be… Mon, 14:10: … Continue reading →

Second paragraph of third chapter: The friends shook themselves off, checked for scrapes and bruises, and then turned to thank their saviour. She was slighter in build than the others they had already met, but still manifestly the same species. … Continue reading →