iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

I really enjoyed this. A spy novel centred around the island of Vidos off Corfu that serves as a retirement home or dumping ground for British spies who MI6 prefer out of the way. A cast of fictional spies anchored by real life Philby a minor character but his presence casts a long shadow #Booksky

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Book 2 in the series just released and Emily Grey is now using her linguistic and embryonic spying skills in Lausanne infiltrating a suspicious married couple whose line of work is “import / export”. As enjoyable as the first book #Booksky #FirstWorldWar #Espionage

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

One week on. Metallica in Cardiff last Sunday. Nothing Else Matters #Metallica #Cardiff

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

This is narrative non-fiction at its best. The Markovic Affair is a well known scandal in France involving gangsters, immigrants, the star of French cinema Alain Delon and even the wife of the French Prime Minister. Superbly written it’s a gripping story #Booksky #AlainDelon #Paris

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

A quirky short story built around what The Smiths meant to one man’s life. Surreal #Booksky #TheSmiths

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Updated rerelease for this seminal work 29 years on. I first read it about 20 years ago and I enjoyed the revised version all the same #Booksky #AcidHouse #Ecstasy

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

I loved this. @sathnam.bsky.social wears his fandom with pride but that doesn’t prevent him from thoroughly examining the character of George Michael in its totality. I’ve thought the world is a worse place without him in it and this book reinforces how much he’s missed #Booksky #GeorgeMichael

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

A forensic study of how the gambling companies have totally dominated the football landscape in this country. Sometimes covertly but more often than not brazenly. It’s a depressing situation but a very interesting book #Booksky #Football #Gambling

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

This man’s performance in Mexico ‘86 forty years ago will never be beaten. To win a World Cup virtually single handed was phenomenal. Genius. RIP Diego #Argentina #FIFAWorldCup #Maradona

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Hours away from Argentina starting their defence #FIFAWorldCup. This by David Arrowsmith, detailing the immense pressures the world’s best footballer had to endure on and off the pitch, is thoroughly good read #Booksky #Maradona

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Incredibly brave undercover journalism, Harry Shukman spending a year amongst characters equally dangerous or just plain insane. A really good read but I was on edge throughout #Booksky

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

Annual posting of my favourite Derby winner of all time, Commander In Chief in 1993. Today I’m siding with what would be an unseasonable winner, Christmas Day. Santa Claus has already won (1964) and now I’m putting my faith in the day that made his name #ChristmasDay #TheDerby #BetfredDerby #Epsom

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Books I’ve read recently. I found the Graham Greene elements to The Writer and The Traitor interesting. 1996 was 300+ pages of tabloideze. Mike Pickering’s book is fantastic and Oliver Bullough’s study of global money laundering fascinating #Booksky

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

“What did you do Monday night?” “Saw four old German blokes standing stock still behind four desks performing some of the greatest, most important and influential music of the last 50 years.” Kraftwerk - Tour de France Belfast Waterfront Hall 18/5/2026 #Kraftwerk #MultimediaTour #Belfast

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

A chilling “what if?” that isn’t alternative history but a realistic view on the present and the near future. A deeply researched account of the balance of the world order should Russia win their war of aggression #Booksky #NATO #Russia #Ukraine #China #USA #Europe

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

The 2nd of the pre-orders and this is such an absorbing story written by a master of narrative non-fiction @praddenkeefe.bsky.social. Deceptions that triangulate around a 19 yr old “oligarch’s son”, a bankrupt businessman and a gangster. A tragic tale with shady London at its core. Superb! #Booksky

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 11/04/2026

A concise examination of the evidence in America’s history that has culminated in Trump in the White House #Booksky

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

The first of the books I’ve had on preorder this year and have been looking forward to for months. Anyone’s who’s read the author’s last book “Killing Thatcher” will understand the anticipation. It didn’t disappoint. The story of Roger Casement, Reginald Hall, WWI & the Easter Uprising #Booksky

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

With the casting news in recent weeks for the film adaptation, I had the urge to reread this. Heat is my favourite film from the 90’s and this prequel / sequel compliments the original perfectly. As for the film that’s coming, I can’t work out how they’ll do the post ‘95 story #Booksky #Heat #Heat2

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

I read Little Englanders by @alwynturner.bsky.social about Edwardian Britain last year. His follow up about the interwar years in this country is just as great. The anecdotes of social history are such an entertaining read from an era that’s overshadowed by the wars that bookended it #Booksky

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Despite Macca being an executive producer this wasn’t a hagiography. A good watch #Wings #PaulMcCartney

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

A novel set in suburban England examining the lives of the residents of a of new build cul-de-sac. The titular bbq takes place on Saturday July 13th, 1985 - Live Aid. Really enjoyable with a well drawn cast of characters #Booksky #Fiction

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

I’m a fan of the @restisclassified.bsky.social podcast but this is the first of David McCloskey’s novels I’ve read. Intricately plotted across Istanbul, Tehran & Tel Aviv the action soon plunges us into the continuous warring between Israel and Iran through a captured Persian Jewish dentist #Booksky

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

Set in 1970’s Newcastle/Northumberland and 2000’s Andalusia, this is a novel with a tight narrative around a crime family coming to terms with the impact on them of a botched job. #Booksky #CrimeFiction

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

This new biography of Gordon Brown is a comprehensive and fascinating look at the great all-rounder of New Labour. Tremendously driven with conviction and purpose, Brown is someone I’ve always admired and since leaving office has arguably grown into an even more important voice #Booksky

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

Catherwood turns a seminal and critical decision of the Second World War into a slog in only 187 pages. Has the tendency to reference his own book throughout “our book” which is also frustrating. It’s not our book, mate, it’s yours. Own it! #Booksky #Churchill #Tito

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

I recently finished this. The last four years of the 1980’s in New York City, the final term of the city’s mayor, Ed Koch. Racial divides, AIDS activism, high profile criminal cases and colossal characters. Superb #Booksky #NewYork

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

The Don returns. This seems like an authors equivalent to when a band or artist release an album of b-sides and demos. 6 short stories of which the standout, I think, is “True Story”. Some are Winslow-by-numbers but still a great read if you’re a fan of Don’s (which I am). #Booksky #DonWinslow

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

Picked this up in the gift shop at the Churchill War Rooms. Despite the novel’s title, not a single mention of a box of dodgy VHS tapes! #Booksky

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

This revealing book by @guttmannaviva.bsky.social is an insightful examination of how much Mossad relied on European intelligence, specifically Club de Berne, to operate its covert #WrathOfGod assassinations. It’s superb. Read both this and The Revolutionists also released last year #Booksky

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

An enjoyable account of a city very dear to my heart #Booksky #Liverpool #ScouseRepublic

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

“I love The Beatles” “Yeah, so do I” “What’s your favourite Beatles book?” “Mmm. Tough one. I’d have to say…” #Booksky

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

The first book of 2026 was a gruelling read but I don’t mean that disparagingly. Supremely researched and illuminative #Booksky

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

Of the 42 books I read in 2025 these were my 4 favourites: 4 Rivals In The Storm - @damiancollins.bsky.social 3 Liverpool and the Unmaking of Britain - @samwetherell.bsky.social 2 Three Weeks in July - Adam Wishart & James Nally 1 The Traitors Circle - @jonathanfreedland.bsky.social #Booksky

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

Just finished watching this. Loved it in ‘95, when it was on ITV, I think on Sunday evenings. The extra episode is a welcome addition. Watching it all again brought home to me what a sad loss George’s death was, now 24 years ago #TheBeatles #BeatlesAnthology #Disney+

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

Recently finished this. A worthy winner of the Booker Prize 2025 (not that I’ve read the other nominees). The fall and rise and fall of a Hungarian emigrant in England. Told with austere prose, episodically, following the existence of a man’s life and what factors pull it in what directions #Booksky

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

“So Ben, would you say your taste in music has narrowed over the years?” #SpotifyWrapped #Spotify

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 29/11/2025

Radiohead, O2, 25/11/25 - The last post Weird Fishes / Arpeggi Fingers crossed this run of European residencies will kickstart their alchemy to create something new. A feeling though that this is a lap of honour they’re on. Victorious swan song. 2026 I suspect will hold the answer #Radiohead #O2

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

Radiohead - Separator, O2 25/11/25 They have always sung to my very soul, burrowed deep into the marrow of my bones. For 30 years now their music has soared and connected with me like no other band ever has. #Radiohead #O2 #Separator #London

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 26/11/2025

Sit Down. Stand Up. A song title that perfectly encapsulates my evening sitting in an aisle seat. Every song people were up to either the bar or toilet. Couldn’t spoil what was an incredible evening last night in the O2 #Radiohead #O2 #SitDownStandUp #London

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 26/11/2025

Radiohead at the O2 25/11/25 The best to ever do it. “Music… bloody hell!” (To paraphrase a 90’s behemoth of another sphere). Last night was a privilege, the set phenomenal. An experience I will never forget. This is Like Spinning Plates off Amnesiac, 2001 #Radiohead #O2 #London

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

“This is really happening…” #Radiohead #O2

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

There was a lot of noise around this when it was released a couple of months ago. It was totally justified, it’s superb. A gripping true story that moves your emotions everywhere: despair, joy, disgust, confusion, sadness, hope. @jonathanfreedland.bsky.social‘s book is my book of the year #Booksky

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 01/11/2025

Part architectural history and very much part social history, naturally with politics throughout, this is an excellent study of high-rise living in Britain since the Second World War by @holsmith.bsky.social #Booksky #Highrise

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

A vivid first hand account of the months leading up to July 1st 1916, the Battle of the Somme. The day the diarist, Captain Charlie May was killed. The impending doom of those last few days, the outcome known to the reader, are very poignant as well as the fate of those mentioned throughout #Booksky

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

A deeply impressive piece of work from @jasonburke2.bsky.social. Such a good read #Booksky

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

By now you know what you’re going to get. And if you liked the first four books, you’ll like this one #Booksky

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Ben House @bbh74.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

I’ve dipped in and out of Manic Street Preachers since 92. More out than in but when I’ve connected with them, I’ve loved them. This is an impressive piece of work from @keithcameron2.bsky.social telling the stories behind 168 MSP songs with input from Wire & Bradfield #Booksky #ManicStreetPreachers

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