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Book 6: Gawain, Ywain & Marhalt. Much of this book is about Gawain & my what a double-dyed shit he is. Don’t accept his help if you are a knight unable to accept that the lady you adore loathes you! In the end, everyone blames the lady & she dies. Plus assorted knightly adventures. #malory

Confession: I was distracted by newer, flashier books & I left the narrow path of Malory’s Arthur & skipped away gathering primroses. But I have repented. So, onwards!

Terri Windling @terriwindling.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

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Thank you to everyone posting about Brian & Wendy Froud's new book, containing 72 new paintings with literary responses by 37 women writers of diverse backgrounds, landscapes & mythic traditions. Having worked on the project for the last two years, we've all been moved by the enthusiastic response.

Image: The front and back cover for "Brian Froud's Green Women" (Abrams Books, New York). Release date: October 6, 2026.

Image: One of Brian Froud's paintings for the book, called Grandmother Wood. Brian's mythic Green Women come in a wide range of guises, ages, and moods from light to dark. The response to this image was written by American novelist Delia Sherman.

Image: The contents page of the book, listing the writers in the volume and the titles of their pieces.

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ItIsStevenRhodes @400footghost.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

It's been announced in the last few minutes that the entertainer Mickey Mouse died this morning; he was 97.

A huge inflatable Halloween decoration, which is Mickey Mouse as your classic white blanket ghost (and holding a pumpkin. Because it's Halloween)

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Why zero (0) lessons have been successfully planned so far today:

My tortoiseshell cat Nala sitting on the papers on my desk & inserting herself between me and my keyboard. You can’t see my other cat Clara comfortably ensconced on my lap and occasionally hissing at Nala. Or farting.

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Ada Palmer @adapalmer.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

My first book was published & everyone in the universe was lovely to me! Happy Friday everyone!

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Wow! Texts are super rare for the Hittites, basically there’s just one archive and it’s 95% lists of prayer sacrifices to mountain gods, so this is really, really exciting!

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Louie Stowell @louiestowell.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

SO many! Hard to choose! These spring to mind.

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Bluesky, I am up for an award! You can vote for me! Please vote for me! It's for the "best children's book of the decade". Yes I realise the decade isn't over. Maybe it's counting from 2016 to 2026 or something. Vote Stowell early and vote Stowell often! nationalbooktokens.com/readers-awards

nationalbooktokens.com

Book Are My Bag Readers Awards

The only book awards curated by bookshops and chosen by readers like you!

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What a lovely review! Thank you so very much. I'm a bit lost for words, for once. Except that now I desperately need to get a copy of Wilomena, which looks amazing!

Totally agree! Luckily, I have very nice students so it's fun work.

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I've had to work but plan to crack open some fizz later...

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I feel as if I've read a LOT of good books this year! & I have a big pile of really good ones still to read. Off the top of my head: Koku Akanbi: The Heart of Midnight, Maria Motunrayo Adebisi; Gloam, Jack Mackay; A Million Tiny Missiles All at Once, Lucas Maxwell; Crow, Fiona Dixon.

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Marianne Doherty @mariannedoherty.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Gosh, thank you Jacqui, that's is so kind! Also, to be mentioned in the breath as Philippa Leathley is a massive honour. I love Inkbound too. (Sorry, I am a little overexcited today!) x

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Happy publication day for this excellent book. One of my favourite reads this year.

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OMG thank you! That's amazing & I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

Richard Morris @ahistoryinart.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

You're so very kind! Thank you. I am having a great day! xxx

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This painting was a result of Francis Cadell being turned down to join the British army in 1914. He worked on a farm in Dumfries, Scotland (depicted here) in an attempt to improve his fitness - he later passed the medical board's examination and joined the Royal Scot's Guards.

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Helen McCarthy @helenmccarthy51.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

A tragic episode of history and a fascinating window on Georgian Britain. #Bridgerton fans take note - a black Queen Dowager and princesses were known here in that era.

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helen @hejparry.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

It's publication day for A Scrap of Moss & Magick! Officially out in the world, with @dfbstoryhouse.bsky.social. It feels at once wildly thrilling & strangely distant. (Alt Text for extended thanks! Links in bio!) Good luck, little book, out in the world! Go well! #ukkidlit #kidlituk #middlegrade

A picture of my book, A Scrap of Moss and Magick, on a beautiful purple background. There is text around it: Out Now. From dazzling debut author Helen Parry. Illustrations by Melissa Castrillón.

Many, many thanks to everyone who has worked on this with me: the extraordinary David Fickling Books who are so committed & passionate about children's books (& especially editor extraordinaire Rosie & marketing genius Fern), to Liz Scott who's worked so hard & cleverly promoting it, & to Melissa Castrillón whose art inside & outside the book is so beautiful & perfect.

And thank you to everyone who has supported it: Philippa Leathley, Gita Ralleigh, Helena Duggan with their kind comments; Jacqui Sydney, Sally Farr & Leonni Lark for their lovely early reviews.

On a purple background with beautiful leafy fronds by Melissa Castrillón, a quote@ 'An instant classic. All the warmth of a hot chocolate with delicious darkness sprinkled on top. A must read for fans of Diana Wynne Jones.' Philippa Leathley, author of The Inkbound Series.

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Morning! I am on a very delayed train to Antwerp with Great Granny Webster & Caroline Blackwood. The sun is shining & I am so late for my meeting!

A photograph of my hand holding a paperback copy of Great Granny Webster by Caroline Blackwood. The cover is blue and the lettering is pink. There is a photograph on the cover of a flowery tea plate and silver cake fork, looking spiky.

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The Folklore Society @folkloresociety.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

The Katharine Briggs Award 2026 Shortlist: www.folklore-society.com/blog/post/th... The winner will be announced 10 Nov, after The Katharine Briggs Lecture by @yinkaolusoga.bsky.social, 18:30-20:30 @warburginstitute.bsky.social Tickets £10: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-kathar...

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Helen Jones @hfj0108.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

When the Birds Wake Up by Jessica Mary Ellis is a beautiful book in so many ways and exactly what I needed today #UKKidLit #KidLitUK

Cover of When the Birds Wake Up illustrated by Sophie Burrows Shows Pear playing with her foster dog Piglet.

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helen @hejparry.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Do you see the hole in our chimney? That’s thanks to a woodpecker who persists in believing it’s a tree. & then doesn’t even let me photograph him! Poor chimney looks like he’s crying. #peskywildlife

Tiled roof, blue sky, concrete chimney with hole in it like a mouth saying, oh no!

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helen @hejparry.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

It’s October & still the flowers are blooming! #bloomscrolling

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Daniel Sugarman @danielsugarman.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Although it feels like I am shouting into the void about this sometimes, I want to share some further thoughts on the “Zionism is Racism” motion which the Green Party is due to debate in the next 16 hours. Just to address various points which I think people in general should know. A thread:

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helen @hejparry.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Happy Friday everyone! I went to my English-language reading group & we all had such a great time discussing Emma Donoghue's Room that nobody wanted to go home.

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helen @hejparry.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Thank you both! I actually have Deep Dark in my tbr so that’s exciting. Am currently reading Koku Akanbi: The Heart of Midnight by Maria Motinrayo Adebisi & it isn’t historical at all but is the funniest fantasy I’ve read in ages.

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helen @hejparry.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

It’s a gorgeous book & it has stayed with me.

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helen @hejparry.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Thank you so much! I feel a bit crap asking, & so I’m really grateful for your reply. I will look them all up & order some books! X