iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Got home to new music in the mail with the latest releases from The Beatles (Rubber Soul deluxe 4CD), Anthrax (latest album Cursum Perficio) and Swans(a final live album of the big sound)

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 14h

I'll likely reread in about a year, its one of those books that knowing where it goes will make the reread more rewarding.

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 14h

It's fantastic though I'll admit there are bits which are hard going and feel unconnected. The language and writing is wonderful and I think I'm in the final stretches so seeing how it all comes together. Shades of Alan Moore's Jerusalem in bits, maybe a wee bit of Pynchon and such.

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 21h

If your taste runs a little more B-movie, I'll recommend Kim Newman's Video Dungeon as a supplemental reading. I'm close to the end of The Rouse by China Mieville and just picked up US release of Scratch Moss by David Barnett and a novella, The Nudge by Night Vale creator Joseph Fink

The Nudge by Joseph Fink and Scratch Moss by David Barnett

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Amazing visuals especiallh during those narrative flips and very definite shades of Synechdoche New York with Philip Seymour Hoffman. Did not find it overtly preachy and that Plemons speech was perfect. Will likely go again in few weeks especially now I know the twist going in

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

3/3 movie for the day. Only a handful of people at it and grumbling at end suggests most did not like it. I'm not sure how to describe it, its obviously Cruise Oscar bait and im not sure enjoyed it is the right term but there is so much it did right that I won't say because of #spoilers

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Movie number 2/3 for today. Not too bad, I can see it was going for more of the playing the game experience than the over the top bombastic narrative of the original movie series which I do have soft spot for (they are good looking bad movies). Dinner and movie#3 next

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Getting away from it all and triple bill at the cinema. Surprise start since didn't expect an upper Midwest US cinema to show a quirky Scottish piece like the Incomer. Absolutely fantastic movie, shades of Local Hero meets Iain Banks The Wasp Factory and just so well done

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

It's also a fantastic piece of literature, dense and not a casual read at all but gorgeous prose, so many ideas and narrative threads, book of the year for me so far

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Yesterday's Bookmail. Yes I know i have snd am reading a regular HC edition but I've been picking up all the signed Mieville books from @thebrokenbinding.bsky.social so could not say no to this. As usual, lovely looking book which will remain untarnished while I finish my regular copy.

Broken Binding Edition of the Rouse by China Mieville

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

~500 pages into this behemoth, its definitely not light reading clocking in at more than 1200 pages and there are periods I feel lost in terms of where it is going but beautifully crafted and worth the investment. In its shadow I continue to work through epubs of volume 8 and 9 of The Horus Heresy

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Absolutely psyched for The Rouse though by China Mieville, been a huge fan since Perdido Street Station came out #slakemoths!! though have decided not to take this on road but rather save it for after Riotfest as it looks like less a good travel book and more something that merits investment

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Got soaked heading out but rather lovely bookhaul. Obviously The Rouse dominates the stack but did not know latest titles by Charles Cumming (Box 88) and Jussi Adler Olsen et. al (Dept Q) had made it stateside. Stephen King was justified on basis i had a pile of rewards but still looks awesome.

The Rouse by China Mieville, Icarus 17 by Charles Cumming, No Song for the Dead by Jussi Adler-Olson and the Art and Craft of Stephen King

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Ooh i like that cover for Blitz. U S was not bad but that one is nice

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

On the road for Riotfest but my main bookbrick is not shown which will be The Rouse by China Mieville which comes out tomorrow. My other reading almost wraps up #4 of Charlie Parker reread by @jconnollybooks.bsky.social then kicks into #5 and I'm starting the Bookman Histories by Lavie Tidhar too.

The Bookman by Lavie Tidhar and The White Road and the Black Angel by John Connolly

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

I was todays years old when I was educated to the fact Dave Frohl used to be in a band called Nirvana. Drunken buffoon sat next to me at Foo Fighters gig seems to think he is like a rock and roll missionary and has to educate me - My Foo Fighters tally - this is show 11 and 3 times for Nirvana...

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

So will tentatively check them out but not optimistic. I forgave the buttef commercials and thought it possible to chalk up a lot as him being abrasive and inciting a reaction but these days, it's just not funny and blasting Album while cleaning lab glassware was a little sad

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

One week til I fly to Chicago for Riotfest, my annual escape from semester start blues so Playlist are Heavy on bands playing. Many standouts - Sugar, Elvis Costello, Iggy, Pixies, Patti Smith etc. Most torn on PIL, Album and Second Edition are such amazing releases but Lydon seems to have lost it

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Alas 3rd Barnett (Scratch Moss) only just came out over in US so we are lagging. This week, more Bobiverse, reread of volume 3 in Robert McCammon's Matthew Corbett historical mystery and a weird cosmic horror thing by Megan Bontrager (started it a month or so back and mislaid my copy so back to it)

Bobiverse Book 3 - For We Are Many by Dennis Taylor, Mister Slaughter (Matthew Corbett Book 3) by Robert McCammon and The Sea Hides It's Dead by Megzn Bontrager

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

It's very well researched and written but depressing seeing the gradual erosion of freedoms that the characters experienced over ~10+ years to when book kicks off in 1952. Denser than Fatherland for sure.

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Back from conference so rereading Elder Race by @aptshadow.bsky.social since sequel comes out tomorrow. Seeing if its all its hyped up to be and starting 1st Bobiverse and picked up a nice used hardcover of Dominion, an alt history where Britain essentially surrenders to Germany in 1940

Dominion by CJ Sansom, We Are Legion (Bobiverse Book 1) by Dennis Taylor and Elder Race by Adrian Tchaikovsky

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

On the road for a conference so main two books are new @chuckwendig.bsky.social - The Calamities - 1/2 way through and very much enjoying it and on the e-reader, I'm rereading a couple of Virgin Books Era Doctor Who missing adventures as felt like a wee bit of #5 nostalgia

Virgin - 5th Doctor Missing adventure: The Crystal Bucephalus

Virgin - 5th Doctor Missing adventure: Goth Opera

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Ooh, did not know the Robyn Hitchcock was out so adding that to TBR

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Excellent gig last night from Swervedriver at Thalia Hall in Chicago with Raise album playthrough and a second set from other albums. Great sound and whoever was doing projection/visuals did an amazing job expanding to cover the front half of theater beyond stage

Swervedriver live at Thalia Hall - last song which of course was Duel

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Quick to the bookstore with what I was going to say shiny new releases by @chuckwendig.bsky.social and @aptshadow.bsky.social but they are both rathef goth and moody instead of shiny :-) Also arrived just in time before I'm hitting the road for a conference

The Calamities by Chuck Wendig and Preaching to the Choir by Adrian Tchaikovsky

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

After last week's sheep adorned Scottish folk Horror (Home Sick by Rhiannon Griest), we keep the sheep but go Welsh with Hill in the Dark Grove by Liam Higginson. Also a wee Korean lovecraftian novella and continuing reread of the Denise Mina series featuring Alex Morrow with Gods and Beasts.

Hill in the Dark Grove by Liam Higginson, A Plagued Sea by Kim Bo-Young and Gods and Beasts by Denise Mina

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Spent the day dealing with reports and committee work for upcoming conference with new Sparks album on continuous play - absolutely superb album, highly recommended and glad I got to finally catch them last year at Riot Fest

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Busan is of course a classic and great to see on big screen though sadly I was only 1 in that showing. Heading home and may fo #2 as a late night movie

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Oak St was not very deep as ND at the same time, a fun movie where once the flash happens, its as much watching the background details and happenings as the main characters. Very much that Abrams 80s nostalgia vibe but short enough it does not outstay its welcome or try too hard to explain itself.

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

2nd attempt at End of Oak Street successful- ended up leaving first showing due to 2 bawbags who started by sitting pretty much next to me in an empty cinema and escalated from not shutting up to actively yelling insults. Got a raincheck and some vouchers and did a later show and Busan reissue

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Jealous of the review. Hoping i get this on my next peer reviewed manuscript (since I'm a chemist, it'll be an interesting paper for sure)... Also have Calamities on pre-order so let the nudiness commence next week...

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Today's cinema excursion. Not expecting a masterpiece but hoping for something fun and escapist

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Enjoying the last few weeks with no students on campus so cranked this beast up on lab stereo. Catchy hooks and an insane sound production - the US bonus tracks on the CD - Never Lose That Feeling/Never Learn still sound amazing 33 years after this came out...

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Yesterday's bookmail was this brick. Still one of my favorite novels of all time and maybe time for a reread but while its a nicely done book and retains inside illustrations, I'm still partial to original hardcover which I have both black and white copies of which I think is an iconic look

Broken Binding subscription copy of Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Thanks and while I trundled off to Minnesota a few decades back, the cottage cannot be more than 50 miles or so from where I grew up based on your mentioning Ben Ledi. Something NOT to look for next time I'm back and out hill-walking.

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Still working on Queen of Bedlam by Robert McCammon, onto End of Wasp Season, a reread of volume 2 of Alex Morrow series (some of the best Glasgow set mysteries I've read) and staying in Scotland with a new bit of folk horror, Home Sick, just arrived from Night Worms book subscription

Home Sick by Rhiannon Grist, End of the Wasp Season by Denise Mina and Queen of Bedlam by Robert McCammon

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Avoiding writing script for a science on stage performance so doing a movie double bill. Spiderman: Brand New Day and why not a second trip to the Odyssey

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Long lunch and hit up the 50% off Arrow Sale st B+N. Didn't get much in recent Criterion sale but a few must haves here - Soylent Green, Mouth of Madness, Salems Lot and Excalibur. Also picked up the physical Stranger Things box on regular BluRay as well.

4K Arrpw releases of Soylent Green, Excalibur, In the Mouth of Madness and Salems Lot

Stranger Things complete boxset from Arrow Video

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

A great series I need to read it again. My stack this week has one of her other alter egos and book 3 - Last Song of Penelope as i started a reread of the trilogy after seeing The Odyssey. Also rereading book 1 of Denise Mina's Alex Morrow series and Book 2 of Robert McCammons Matthew Corbett series

Still Midnight by Denise Mina (Alex Morrow Book 1)

Queen of Bedlam by Robert McCammon (Matthew Corbett Book 2)

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

The Phil Rickman is a find. Doing a Merrily Watkins reread as final one just out and this is one of their other series that I have the first but not this one, the second volume. The F. Paul Wilson paperbacks are a fun trashy series that sort of starts with The Keep which will be good for bus reads

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Decent book thrift haul. Kennedy 35 is an upgrade as i own it in paperback and do need to order book 4 in series now. Broken Fields by Marcie Rendon is 4th in a series set where I live so great find and I know nothing about the M. M. Buckner but read their first - Watermind so giving this a go.

Broken Fields by Marcie Rendon, Gravity Pilot by M.M. Buckner, Heresy of Dr. Dee by Phil Rickman and Kennedy 35 by Chatles Cumming

8 Repairman Jack paperbacks by F. Paul Wilson

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Not quite as insanely hot as last weekend where weather app was crying and saying 'feels like 110' so venturing out to book thrift and cinema..

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Fisherman's Blues was expanded to a 2CD and then we got a 6 (7 really CD box set) of sessions so do we really need another 3CD + a separate EP of more sessions from that period. OH HELL YEs and so today, the office soundtrack is the new 3CD of alternate takes by @waterboysmusic.bsky.social

Atlantic Rain collection by The Waterboys

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Weather app is saying today's high will feel like 42C or 108 F when humidity is factored in. So plan is avoid the heat Dome and catch up on TBR. First up is gorgeous @thebrokenbinding.bsky.social Railsea by China Mieville aka what if Duncton Wood and Moby Dick had a weird twisted child 😀

Broken Binding editions of China Mieville's Railsea

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Road trip for Rush at the United Center in Chicago. Made it as far as Eau Claire, WI last night so rest of the way today for the gig. I think this is around my 10th Rush show - first was Roll tye Bones at SECC in Glasgow a very long time ago..

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

I've been watching Fringe on Bluray of late after picking up complete series box. Loving the weird science - now on S2E6, the sketch of an unknown molecule is the same class of compounds I have my PhD in. And like early grad school me. They can't draw a porphyrin and get the aromaticity right 😀

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Too damn warm, air quality has gone from unhealthy to hazardous so 3+ hours including trailers in a cooled theater is prescribed

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Not sharing a certain building that can only be described in the local parlance as a jobbie? I always try to make a quick Haunter up the Hill when I'm back but if ever there was an award for wrecking the skyline...

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

I've been reading Jeff Noon since Vurt came out way back near end of my undergrad so very much looking forward to this one

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DoctorGRAW @doctorgraw.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Rather lovely bit of bookmail yesterday with titles from @reversediorama.bsky.social and @jeffnoon.bsky.social. 2nd this year from Keenan as i picked up Boyhood, his new fiction when back in Glasgow but this one is collected music writings which starts with a piece on the mighty Pere Ubu

David Keenan - Volcanic Tongue and Jeff Noon - Moon over Brendle

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