iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

What a joyous way to start the day! 10 years since I watched SanJunipero. Unlike anything I had seen before. Feelings of hope & love & optimism. I think we need those feelings all the more in 2026! This edition from @blackmirrorcomic.bsky.social & @stonewalluk.bsky.social is all of those feelings.

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

I loved this. So much woven through a relatively short story. I liked the complicated nature of family relationships. How we are individuals beyond the labels our relationships hold. The cottage is a liberating place for those who live there. To be themselves. #DancingInTheShallows

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

Now I need to choose my next read. Lots of deliveries this week from preorders and for book group. Feeling slightly spoiled for choice!

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

Just finished This Life by William Sutcliffe writing as Sam Coleman. This series was everything back in 96/97. It holds a special place as I went from high school to uni. I was curious how 33 episodes could be compressed to 292 pages. Each chapter is essentially an episode.

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Just finished my first read of Watership Down. In the 80s I watched an off-air of the film on repeat. It is a cornerstone of my childhood. The book has only served to enhance that sensation. Sophisticated and highly readable. I love it.

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Took Eric on his first training run as we prepare to do a parkrun together. Apart from the odd toilet stop and one sit down protest, it was a great success!

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

@eisgrogu.bsky.social Have you seen this? Is it everyone that knows you sending links?

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Campus Book Group read. It was a curious and quick read. I appreciated the concepts more and more as I read. A very sweet book. Character I most want to be…the ghost lady who spends her day sitting in the time travel chair, reading her book, drinking coffee and cursing anyone who disturbs her.

A copy of Bwfore the coffee gets cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Delivery joy from @tenacrebooks.bsky.social today. Being a primary teacher, I know the power of a sticker. Surely this is the greatest sticker ever created? I would purchase sheets and sheets of Dr Julia Hoffman. These are the supreme of stickers.

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

I started this at the weekend. The second David Keenan novel I’ve read. Like ‘This is Memorial Device’, the character voices feel so authentic. Even though this is set in Northern Ireland, a commonality between Irish and Scots energy and cadence of speech. Straight off, I’m enjoying it.

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Next read is a the summer Book Group read for work. The NYT quote on the cover is promising ‘a genuinely swoony summer romance’. I think this is exactly what I need for my last week (and a bit) of holiday.

The book Minor Black Figures by Brandon
Taylor sits up right on a circular, golden metallic table. To the right of the book is a red rotary telephone.

The cover of the book is of city sky scrapers in New York on a summer evening. It is warm and vibrant looking.

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

By the pool book for a weekend at Lake Como. A pleasing coincidence early on in the book. Matthew’s parents met at Lake Como. I have never ready Chocky before but the TV show made a lasting impression on my childhood. It was a breezy read but enjoyable. I want to learn to count in binary.

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

‘The Bold Kitten’ by Holly Webb. A friend at work read with a group in her P3/4 class. An easy & enjoyable read with avenues to follow for real World themes/social justice/inferential challenge. The children from her class told me I should read it as they thought it was very good. I would agree.

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

On Instagram John is sharing his experience of walking the Camino. His posts are réflective about his past and current difficulties prompting me to seek out his memoir. I recall watching him on Bake Off in 2012 and really liking him. I haven’t followed him since.

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

I still find myself thinking about John of John. When I can’t shake off a book I always go to comfort reads in the form of Doctor Who Target books. Immensely enjoyed the three latest offerings. All excellent but The Satan Pit by Matt Jones was my favourite thanks to the engaging epistolary format.

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

John of John is my favourite Douglas Stuart novel & my favourite read of the year so far. I related to the themes of loneliness and longing. The conflict between being your authentic self & reconciling that with being raised in a religious community. Patriarchy & control & submission & repression.

A copy of the novel John of John by Douglas Stuart sits in a chair next to a large window. Outside the window the sky has rain clouds and the ground looks damp with rain.

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

First book of my summer holiday is ‘John of John’ by Douglas Stuart. His previous two books, ‘Shuggie Bain’ & ‘Young Mungo’ were discussed at length with my book pals. Thinking like teachers (because that is part of us) we would call them rich texts.

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

So sleepy but I can’t put it down. Lots to say about it! It is making me recall so much from growing up in an Irish Catholic family and all those summer trips “back home”. Desperately want to chat about it but as can be seen, my reading buddy is also sleepy.

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Starting Ordinary Saints. Recommend by my friend Megan who is on a winning streak of book recommendations of late. Recent suggestions: The Safekeep, Intermezzo, There are rivers in the sky. All books that burrowed deep in my consciousness. Books that influenced my dreams. Books to learn from.

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

Sunday morning reading. This is making me stop. Elena is living with Parkinson’s disease. She is determined to prove her daughter did not die by suicide but was murdered. Framed via the experience of degenerative illness & what it means for agency and relationships - particularly parent/adult child.

A copy of the book ‘Elena Knows’ by Claudia Piñeiro resting on golden metallic table.

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Finished ‘You Are Not Alone’ by @patrickmulkern.bsky.social avalaible from @tenacrebooks.bsky.social A perfect read for Pride Month. My love of Doctor Who is life long. Growing up it offered a sense of belonging that was hard to describe. This book helps articulate aspects of that.

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

More pre-order book joy arrived in the post today! Really looking forward to this one from @tenacrebooks.bsky.social & @patrickmulkern.bsky.social

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Unexpected book joy is when you forget you preordered a new release and it arrives in the post. This might skip to the front of the TBR pile.

A copy of the book John of John by Douglas Stuart, positioned on a yellow book case, cover front facing. Visible to the right of the image are the books spines of Douglas Stuart’s previous two novels, Shuggie Bain and Young Mungo.

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

Doctor Who Twin Peaks The X-Files Star Trek The Next Generation Absolutely Fabulous The Avengers The Book Group The Good Life This Life Dix Pour Cent/Call my Agent I Claudius Mapp and Lucia Blakes 7 Dark Tales of the City

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

I’ve not been posting my reading record this year but must share these three excellent DW books. A new golden age of Targets reminding me how much I loved Belinda and how I wish we had more of her. Superb writing from @unamccormack.bsky.social @gossjam.bsky.social & @garethlpowell.bsky.social

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Reposted by Brendan McKenico

Tim - Missing Episodes Podcast @missingepisodespod.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

🚨NEW EPISODE! 🚨 A conversation with friend of Gerry Davis, Anthony Clark, including a never before published interview with Gerry Davis himself! The archive interview has him sharing his memories of The Highlanders and The Moonbase. What a treat! Shares are much appreciated x Link ⬇️

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

Saved this for my morning run. Another excellent episode from @missingepisodespod.bsky.social & the team. DW is the core of the discussion but there are off shoots to other lost media. Fascinating stories being shared! If DW & missing eps are your thing, this is an essential Patreon subscription!

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Treating myself to The Silver Archive Sapphire and Steel Collections. Last year I ordered the Gurney Slade Silver Archive; an excellent companion the DVD and look forward to immersing in the world of S&S. I really should order some Black Archives but I can’t decide where to start on that collection!

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Preordered this today. I have enjoyed many of @tenacrebooks.bsky.social publications over the past year. If you love archive British TV and meticulously researched texts then they are worth a visit!

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

Backing this as I remember the joy of collecting these figures in the early 90s.

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Final reading stack for December 2025, although I have still to finish BoD3. I have been looking at lots of books I plan to read in 2026 including some John Le Carré, Alan Hollinghurst, Louise Welsh, Riley August, as well as more Seichō Matsumoto and more Elif Shafak. So many reading goals for 2026!

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 27/12/2025

I have been saving this until now. The final volume of The Book of Dust. 25+ years of these characters and their world(s). I can’t wait for this to fill my mind and my dreams.

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 23/12/2025

Currently reading A Quiet Place by Seichō Matsumoto. I immensely enjoyed Tokyo Express & Inspector Imanishi Investigates, both by the same author. I’m always keeping my eye out for future Penguin Modern Classics translations of other Matsumoto novels. Also, the cover art is evocative.

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

Currently reading ‘There are rivers in the sky’ by Elif Shafak. My mind is being blown and stimulated. A book that is infinite and intimate at the same time.

A copy of the book ‘There are rivers in the sky’ by Elif Shafak stands upright on a window sill showing both its spine and its front cover.

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

Only managed to read one book this month. Lots of pressure on my time and this was a book I wanted to take time to read. Ivan, Peter, Sylvia, Naomi, Margaret. All characters I have lived with and believed in. The writing on grief and loss and change resonated.

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

October reading came in the form of books shared with me by friends. Each copy belongs to someone else who wanted to share these stories with me for the purpose of us being able to talk about them when we next meet.

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 24/10/2025

Started #ObjectZ a couple of nights ago. Binged the final 4 episodes tonight. Very watchable and surprisingly pacy for 60s TV. Had never heard of it until I saw posts about the BFI release. Lots to enjoy and lots of familiar faces to spot. Highly recommended.

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Reposted by Brendan McKenico

filmisfabulous! @filmisfabulous.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

SUPPORT OUR WORK YOU can play a vital role in our unique story, by making a donation to Film is Fabulous! Please support our work as a registered charity by visiting our website and giving £5 via PayPal. filmisfabulous.org.uk/the-film-is-...

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

September reading: Sleepwalkers was my choice for book group at work. Elements of it reminded me of the Secret Diary of Laura Palmer. Lots to talk about after the group meets. Moondial was some children’s fiction I hadn’t read before. A strong children’s ghost story. Galatea was short but mighty.

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 28/09/2025

My favourite podcast is back! Doctor Who: The Missing Episodes Podcast with Tim has a new episode on Patreon. If missing episodes of old TV or Doctor Who in general are your thing then this podcast will tick all the boxes. If you don’t like such things…then may Amdo engulf you!

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

This book was my choice for a campus book group at work. Feeling pleased with my choice as it is a book that raises so many questions, frustrations, talking points and ‘oh my god!’ moments. The group meets the first Monday in October. I’ll post a summary of that once it has taken place.

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

Another instant preorder @tenacrefilms.bsky.social We are being spoiled with this year’s publications. Plus, I love a very special, limited edition version of a book.

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 01/09/2025

Started Scarlett Thomas’ The Sleepwalkers this morning. Instantly grabbed by the contents page; very curious about what’s to come. The opening gave me a “Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again…” feeling. Frustratingly, I need to go to work and can’t stay home and read!

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 31/08/2025

August reading stack with the stand out being Panda’s Fen: Scene by Scene. I deliberately slowed down my reading pace to absorb the incredible level of research undertaken by the author. The definitive deep dive companion text to the BFI Blu-ray. Such a rich text. Fabulous. @greavesian.bsky.social

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 17/08/2025

Finished the ironing. Thinking about work. About to get ready to take Eric a walk when I took a beat to read a random poem from The Poetry Pharmacy. Was the universe sending a message? Golden Retrievals and being in the moment. Tomorrow isn’t here yet. Experience now. Lessons from Golden Retrievers.

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 15/08/2025

Came home to book delivery. Discovered Panda’s Fen last month via the BFI release. I’m now obsessed and had to buy this @tenacrefilms.bsky.social book. Excited to read this prequel to the DW story ‘Inferno’. UK Gold nightly broadcasts in 1993 captured my imagination. @cutawaycomics.bsky.social

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 03/08/2025

This months reading stack. The Quatermass Experiment book stood out. The depth of research and style of writing was most satisfying. Will be looking out my DVD to rewatch the first two episodes. Also planning to seek out the film (s) and the 2005 remake. I want more Quatermass Experiment!

Stack of four books on a desk, spines facing the camera. From bottom to top: The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt, On the Road by Jack Kerouac, Escapades: An exploration of Avenging curiosities by JZ Ferguson & Alan Hayes, The Quatermass Experiment: The making of TV’s first sci-fi classic by Toby Hadoke

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 25/07/2025

Next up in my TV history non-fiction reading binge is The Quatermass Experiment: The Making of TV’s first sci-fi classic by Toby Hadoke. Looking forward to the deepest of deep dives with this book. Special mention for the evocative beauty of the cover. Gorgeous.

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

I am now enjoying a non-fiction phase. First up is Escapades which covers curiosités from one of my favourite TV shows ‘The Avengers’. It has not disappointed so far. Loving all the researched facts and behind the scenes perspectives. I used to love visiting The Avengers Declassified website.

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Brendan McKenico @mckenico.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

Finished On the Road a few days ago. Had a chat with @sergeanttibbs.bsky.social about reading the book as an adult vs as a teenager. Theme of chasing the good time or a memory or a lover. Always looking for the next thing that will make a person feel complete but does it ever?

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