iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 11h

Brilliant documentary on Chuck Berry on R4xtra focussing on his performance in the old Coventry Lorcano, inc audio - the fact he wouldn't play until he was paid in cash in his dressing room pre show etc. Proud to use the same site now for Fontaines, Sam Fender etc - now it's the Central Library.

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 16h

This is a fabulous read covering all of Marilyn's literary favourites & the circles she wandered in - inc Dylan Thomas. And Fifth Helena Drive has to be the most euphonious address out there. Fifth Helena Drive. Sounds like a Crowded House song. Thx to Lauren Laverne for the online recommendation.

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

Comfort and joy incoming. The new Bonnie Garmus just in time for autumnal evenings by the fire with a wee dram. Signed, too @gallovidiabooks.bsky.social

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

I was born on Deepdale Road over 60 years ago so today's feels a good day to catch the train from Scotland. New manager, legend at the helm, sun shining, chipper crowd mood. 'Some Might Say' blasting from the sound system, too but you can't have everything #pnefc Godspeed North End...

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Super excited to bring this to Kendal Library in January next year. Jesca Hoop & friends performing the songs of Joni Mitchell. Joni in the library? In the the deep midwinter? Yes, please. Tix here: www.seetickets.com/event/the-so...

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

The new signed John Cooper Clarke just dropped. Perfectly formed work of poetry art it is, too. All in time for Christmas at Gallovidia Books, Kirkcudbright blah blah...

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

This wonderful post from @murkagedave.bsky.social has pleased me no end - re the work we do @loudinlibraries.bsky.social to engage communities, light up libraries after dark & create a small ecosystem of live music, hopefully feat. tomorrow's festival headliners. When artists speak up, it counts.

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Got a new show for 2027 and delighted to welcome back to the library This Is The Kit for the third time. This time in the hallowed shelves of Coventry Central Library - where the Lorcano once stood, housing Floyd, Siouxsie, The Specials etc - tix on sale www.seetickets.com

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

As holiday reads go, this went above & beyond and not entirely unexpected. And by that I mean, William Boyd's 'Cold Sunset' was more than hotly anticipated: wildly entertaining, well- drawn attractive characters and a driving dialogue. I tried to pace myself and failed miserably. Do read it. Ace.

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Now turned 60, this my 43rd year of visiting the 'Local Hero' beach between Arisaig & Morar. One of my forever places. When I first visited, obsessed with the film, I was much the same age as John Gordon Sinclair as Ricky. Now I'm only 9 years than Burt Lancaster as Happer. Ah, life's rich journey.

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Deepest Highland refuge holiday complete with whisky tour on Ardnamurchan - smoke, sea spray - heaven. As a teen, the film 'Local Hero' weighed a glorious influence on my life that carries to this day. A complete TV and radio news blackout only enhances the magic.

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Enjoying a lovely week in the Highlands, enhanced immeasurably by soaking in the glorious storytelling prose of William Boyd's new novel 'Cold Sunset'. The first few lines of this chapter, however unhealthy, offer a frisson of the times - the reader squeezes himself with joy. Highly recommended.

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Yikes! This passage is worthy of Stephen King; it's actually Hans Christian Andersen <shudder>

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

As a bookseller & library type, I've always been a huge admirer of Katherine Rundell's fiction and also her thoughts & philosophy on children's books being of huge benefit to adults, too. Her signature is a thing of wonder. Wild & whimsical. Possibly slightly mad. Available whole stocks last etc etc

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

A tender tribute from Reform UK. And also, stop the world, I genuinely want to get off this time.

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

A salutary book by Pope Leo. The LA Times describes it best : 'A sweeping manifesto on safeguarding humankind as the technology impacts everything from work to war'. I feel slightly addicted to his form of relatable, straightforward, human wisdom.

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Caught up & absolutely devoured the comedy pleasure that is Ann Droid: Diane Morgan would appear to maturing ever further into greatness. What really works is the delicious nuance of comic writing, & the fact that her robot Linda isn't ever overplayed. A joy in my eyes.

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

If graphic novels are your thing or more pertinently even if they are not, this is an excellent wee work of art. A real masterpiece of quietly joyful & affecting storytelling by Joff Winterhart. You can even buy it from us if you like www.gallovidiabooks.co.uk

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

It looks and smells like rain here in Dumfries & Galloway, and it feels like the most atmospheric thing ever. And it's only the blessed promise of rain....

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

I spotted this on Threads. Ian Fleming's daily routine in Jamaica, and surely a lifestyle to which we all can aspire...

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Went to auction, bought a gorgeous, mad house whose wonders reveal themselves every day. This is the slate swimming pool at the end of the garden. The place is 'back to brick' & every penny of my pension is buried in its walls. After near death illness two years ago, this feels like earned heaven.

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Happiest of heavenly literary birthdays to Iris Murdoch who would have been 107 today. Despite her distinguished career & serious philosophical reputation, the novels are often very very funny & I can recommend 'The Severed Head' as a pacy romp, if you've never read her. Ray Cooney farce levels.

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Very pleased to announce Rail Replacement Bus Service as support to the awesome The Orielles this Autumn - great wee band approved by Guy Garvey himself.

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Happy 155th birthday to Marcel Proust, master of the 'nocturnal muse'. I'm embarrassed to tell Marcel I have not got past a couple of pages of his lyrical prose, but time is on my side. All the best Marcel: No one rocked a Parisian sofa better.

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

Bought a house at auction in the heart of Galloway. All back to brick, ruinous & grand,& this will be the view from the bedroom window. Objects left in house inc fully sealed 1991 Christmas Bells Decanter whisky, Rayburn & pristine Butler Sheffield cutlery - all consuming to step into this life.

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

New in store @ Gallovidia Books and true to our word @drjenniferorr.bsky.social a fresh new voice in Northern Irish writing and well worth a good few cackling minutes of your time.

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Plenty of discourse re the Makerfield election elsewhere but very little about the couple of smashing wee Loud In Libraries shows showcased there inc, 7 years ago, Stealing Sheep. A classic Carnegie early 19C build, the library is well worthy of your attention - probably a Reform-free zone, too...

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

I'm enjoying the quite marvellous list of 'characters in alphabetical order' of Jilly Cooper's 'Rivals', particularly the descriptions 'Comely but bolshie nanny' and not forgetting ' a very beautiful, stupid PA'. Glorious Jilly - very much missed.

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

Carriages at midnight. Ambulances at 2am. Some party, Mr Tolkien. Source: unknown.

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

Tonight in Coventry Central Library - Adult DVD & Paige Kennedy. ** SOLD OUT** #

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

Evening Eddie. I was a huge devotee & still am of Ms Spark's work & agree with your post. As a teen I was obsessed with 'The Ballad Of Peckham Rye' amongst others & she was kind enough to respond to my fan mail. I can recommend John Lanchester's 'Mr Philips' which might fit your brief here. Pub.2000

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

As Doris Lessing once counselled...

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

Very pleased to announce that the immense talent that is Paige Kennedy will support highly acclaimed Adult DVD in Coventry Central Library next Saturday night. Low tickets warning etc #Coventry #Libraries

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

It is incredibly kind & generous for the delivery driver girls in this part of South West Scotland to bring dog treats with their parcels to reward the horribly savage & humongously territorial cockapoo barking at them behind the door - I salute you. It's more than he deserves.

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

This looks a good telly pick next week 'Mint' BBC 1 Monday. I'm a sucker for a yearning young love love story set in Scotland so I'm hoping for 'Gregory's Girl' with gangland villains thrown in. Loyle Carner, too.

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

Michael Rosen has written a quite brilliant poem.

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

In Lancaster today for this afternoon's uber indie matinee with Getdown Services. Good to be on the spiritual home of Get It Loud In Libraries after all these years 📚❤️🎸

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Got a real beauty on general sale this morning for Get It Loud In Libraries. Cardinals at Coventry Central Library - in the footsteps of Fontaines DC, Sam Fender and IDLES. Great bands with books. Get involved. www.seetickets.com/event/cardin...

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

Riding to the top of the Gallovidia Books' Author Signature 'Champion Of Champions' table is this delicately pretty scribble from florenceknapp.bsky.social both exquisite & evoking a simpler time in life. A thing of beauty. Damn fine novel, too. Copies available now @gallovidiabooks.bsky.social

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

Thinking about Rebecca Lucy Taylor slaying the day away in the West End and remembering she once posted this about our beloved @loudinlibraries.bsky.social programme to amplify the nation's libraries for the common good #libraries

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

Retirement goals. The same, but quieter...

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

Just home from a gig in a care home with my shanty singing buddies 'The Solway Bouys'. Guy on front row promptly fell asleep. Another clapped out of time with gusto misaligned with his bony frame. One woman sang Britney Spears. And another swayed in reflective bliss. A wonderfully human experience.

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

Very pleased to announce the immensely talented Murkage Dave for a couple of special @loudinlibraries.bsky.social library shows this July. Line Of Best Fit: 8/10 'Pop-adjacent culture as reportage' Uncut: **** On sale now: www.seetickets.com/event/murkag... www.seetickets.com/event/murkag...

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

Fabulous Christmas show with CSS Lancaster Library, 2011 for 'Get It Loud In Libraries'. Crowned with a rousing cover of Queen's 'We Are The Champions'. Didn't recognize a grinning Lovefoxx in jeans & backpack, dumping her stuff in the green room hours earlier. More library supporting rock stars.

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

Florence + The Machine played Lancaster Library for 'Loud In Libraries in Nov 2008. She was too shy to speak to me & I was too shy to speak to her so no rapport built, but she was hugely positive about libraries on stage. 'The sound’s absorbing into the books. This is lovely. Go libraries!' Pic: ?

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Stewart Parsons @libraryfiend.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

A young upstart singer songwriter from London called Adele was a 4-song (jaw dropping) support act for this show. Two quid to see Adele. Oh, and please, never miss the support...

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