If anyone has any recommendations for stuff to do and see in Finland ( Helsinki and also the general vicinity of Turku / Moominworld) now would be an excellent time to tell me.

Two great podcasts that shed light on one great book.

In a reversal of normal roles I’ve just discovered Milly (12 years old) has been hiding curly wurlys in the breadstick box so I don’t eat them all while she’s at school.

The books I finished between July and September 2023. The summer holidays were good for reading. (I also read some other Moomin books as I went to Finland to Moominworld!) #bookpile #AmReading

4 sleeps left till we draw our brilliant festive raffle!! Win one of 20 (yes 20!) fab prizes incl luxury hampers and festive family outings! Just £1 per ticket, all funding benefits Sydenham School students. Get your tickets NOW at tinyurl.com/y5uapses

Hands up who has old digital files they can no longer access because technology changed or broke, and yet can still go back and read all their much older childhood books that are on paper…

As usual Christmas begins with Avanti cancelling my train and being incredibly unhelpful. A festive tradition I could do without.

The Christmas Eve gingerbread houses have been built. Ritual smashing will take place tomorrow.

Ritual smashing complete, though some structural issues this year made it a bit too easy.

Of course after a few weeks the response from Avanti West Coast is that they think it’s reasonable I had to pay to change my reservation to a train that existed instead of the one they cancelled. Profiting from their own incompetence.

All the books I finished Jan to Mar 2024. #bookpile #AmReading #Bookstagram

A solid year for vegetables at the Lambeth Country Show, multiple representations of Dune, Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. Low political content, but there was Rishi up shit creek and Farage with milkshake. #lambethcountryshow #lambethcountryshow2024 #lcs50 Lambeth Country Show

Books I finished in April, May and June 2024. #BookPile #Bookstagram #AmReading

New old episode up now. Absolute Beginners by Colin MacInnes, with guest Jonathon Green Jonathon Green and a newly recorded intro from Andy Miller and John Mitchinson. A novel published in 1959, discussed by us in 2016, and relevant to RIGHT NOW. backlisted.fm/episodes/219-a…

The Manc reunion I actually want.

Books I finished between July and September #bookpile #AmReading

This year the kids have built ‘affordable housing for lathe operators’. The ritual smashing will take place tomorrow. #gingerbreadhouse #rollingpin

The ritual smashing of the gingerbread houses

We’re heartbroken by the death of dear Jon. Many have asked how to help. Please consider supporting our effort to honor his legacy at Bookseller Crow. Share and donate if you can. Thank you. gofund.me/fe79e6371