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Claire

@thechesilbeach.bsky.social
683 followers 316 following 2.5K posts

Love visiting Chesil Beach and reading books. In fact, I’ve probably got my head in a book while you’re reading this. ⬆️And yes, this is my Backlisted bookshelf. ⬆️

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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
I adored Rebecca. I know exactly where I was the moment I read the end a chapter that led me to let out the loudest, gasping, “No! Oh my God!” I’ve ever uttered while reading a book. Brilliant book, so if you haven’t read it yet, do it now.
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
#LetterboxdFriday #LastFourWatched
THE BEAST OF MOSSY BOTTOM
★★★★½

PRACTICAL MAGIC
★★½

THE INCOMER
★★★★½

MALEFICENT
★★★★
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Had the whole cinema to myself this morning to watch the new Aardman film. What a joy. Really good, funny film, with some lovely cine literate references for the grown ups, and mildly scary fun for the kids. I enjoyed it a lot! boxd.it/UOhW
boxd.it
Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom (2026)
On Halloween Eve at Mossy Bottom Farm, excitement turns to dismay when the clumsy Farmer ruins the pumpkin patch. Shaun tries fixing it with science experiments, but things go wrong when a wild beast ...
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Went to see Practical Magic 2 today. It is not a good film, but weirdly, I enjoyed it anyway. boxd.it/NIMA
boxd.it
Practical Magic 2 (2026)
The Owens sisters must confront the dark curse that threatens to unravel their family once and for all.
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Tom Cox @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
A big ask, no pressure & I know people have better things to do but if about 15-20 people buy this from Blackwell's in the next few hours it's likely I'd have the number 1 & 2 books in their chart & that might be enough to finally persuade an American publisher to get my books out over there...
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Saw The Incomer at the Cinema Watershed @wshed.bsky.social this morning, and it might be my favourite so far this year. It’s only on for a few more days so if you’re on or near Bristol, I’d definitely recommend making the effort to see it on the big screen if you can. boxd.it/XXr8
boxd.it
The Incomer (2026)
On an Orkney isle, siblings Isla and Sandy hunt birds and talk to mythical beings while fighting off outsiders. Their lives change when Daniel, an awkward official, arrives to relocate them. For more ...
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
My keyboard knowledge has been expanded further this week as my partner made me pause Godley & Creme to research the keyboard setup, and have now found it was a Roland Jupiter 4, with a Roland CR-78 and what we think is a Roland System-100 modular units. #totp
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
If I love an author, they couldn’t find a better fan than me. I will buy their books, and probably either the ebook or the audiobook as well. Recent purchase and new audio in the car is Everything Will Swallow You by @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social, despite having the hardback!
Screenshot of audiobook playing
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
I can recommend both these books, so why not help a poet out and get yourself some excellent reading matter. It’s a double whammy so you can’t go wrong!
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Curious Events Lately Occurring in this Neighbourhood by @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social is officially published today! It’s a smashing read, so why not treat yourself to a new book.
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Just finished this. So, so, SO GOOD. The stories are funny, strange, odd, relatable, weird, outlandish, and exactly what I’d hoped for from Tom Cox. I swear I got funny looks in the cafe when I laughed so loud at the end of “Hedgecock’s Trip Down Memory Lane”
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Working on a craft project using a pattern I don’t like but someone specifically asked me to use. I’m trying a few modifications but I can’t get it to look as good as I think it could be. The person who asked for it likes the design so will be happy. Being a perfectionist is not good for my health!
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Bought myself some books this morning.
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Things I was frightened of as a child 1. Worzel Gummidge (single most terrifying thing I’d ever seen) 2. The alleyway at the end of the garages 3. Witches (Wizard of Oz) 4. Flying monkeys (see 3 above) 5. Father Christmas 6. Ventriloquist dummies 7. Dougal and the Blue Cat album
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Back from holiday to find my copy of the new @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social book of short stories (signed and with a handmade bookmark with artwork by Tom’s mum) waiting for me! No way I’m not starting to this one immediately.
CURIOUS EVENTS LATELY OCCURRING IN THIS NEIGHBOURHOOD by TOM COX paperback edition with a bookmark featuring a linocut of a mermaid holding a hagstone
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Jonathan Coe @jonathancoe.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
LESSONS IN HARMONY, my novel about the friendship between Ravel and Vaughan Williams, will be published in November. This thread is for anyone who's bought, or is thinking of buying, one of the signed editions available from Waterstones or an indie bookshop. (They won't be available from Amazon.)
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
A house with a decent amount of bookshelves at last (although possibly still not quite enough for all our books). Now, just need to win the lottery to be able to afford it. www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/8...
rightmove.co.uk
Check out this 5 bedroom terraced house for sale on Rightmove
5 bedroom terraced house for sale in Elder Street, Spitalfields, London, E1 for £2,500,000. Marketed by Foxtons, Shoreditch
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
I’ve had a couple of months where I’m struggling to read books, so I’ve done my usual thing and re-read lots of my comfort romance reads. I have read some other books, but they’ve had to really grab my attention. Here’s what I read this month.
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Cherry Blossom at Nightbreak by Rishi Dastidar
The Lost Daughter of Sparta by Felicia Day illustrated by Rowan MacColl
Fifth Business by Robertson Davies
Kiss Me Like You Mean It by Laura Wood
Let’s Make a Scene by Laura Wood
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
Under Your Spell by Laura Wood
A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas
A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas
Kiss Me Like You Mean It by Laura Wood
Rescue Me by Sarra Manning
The Wreck by Lizzie Stewart
Under a Dancing Star by Laura Wood
The Evenings by Gerard Reve
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
This is brilliant.
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
I’m reposting this not to enter but, as I’ve already read and loved this book, to shout from the rooftops that you could win a copy! It’s a wonderful book, and I think about it a lot, so definitely worth entering to win, or buying yourself a copy now it’s out in paperback from Swift Press.
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
This would be perfect except for those first three words! I’m desperate for those days again.
Except from Rescue Me by Sarra Manning

“All too soon, it was suddenly December and very definitely winter.  The mornings were dark, and in the afternoons the light was gone by four. All the leaves had fallen from the trees, bare branches silhouetted against barren grey winter skies, and turned to mulch
underfoot.”
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Finally watched Crossing Delancey again. Haven’t seen it in years and I’d forgotten how completely charming it is. Also spotted the author Lore Segal in the credits and a celebrity party guest! Wonderful film. boxd.it/1rTS
boxd.it
Crossing Delancey (1988)
Thirty-something Isabelle spends her time going from her tiny, solitary West Side apartment to that of her grandmother on the Lower East Side. While her grandmother plots to find her a romantic match,...
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Pop song problems and solutions Problem: Why Does It Always Rain on Me? Solution: Umbrella
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Wish that all coffee shops could have a restriction on laptop usage. I don’t mind people using laptops, but I’ve just had to sit next to someone on a zoom meeting for 55 minutes. He had a headset on which immediately means he couldn’t hear himself and was much louder than he needed to be, and was …
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Tom Cox @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
I don't write books to tell people what I think about stuff. I write books to find out what I think about stuff.
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Fantastic film. Fun and uplifting, but I can’t deny I cried quite a lot too. boxd.it/MPBM
boxd.it
Sunny Dancer (2026)
Ivy is a teenager in remission from cancer, whose mum and dad insist she attend Children Run Free Camp, a summer retreat for young adults affected by cancer. However, as Ivy is reluctantly dragged through camp experience, she discovers new feelings with new friends.
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
I’ve fallen down a romance book rabbit hole. I haven’t been able to concentrate on a book for very long recently, but the ones I did were all romance, and having added a romance book group to the growing list retirement has allowed me to join, I’m gobbling the romance books up at the moment.
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Rob Chapman @scribblerrob.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Was in Lyalls Bookshop just now and mentioned to Colin that I'm always bigging them up on my socials. It's like a tardis in there I tell everyone. "Funny you should say that" said C. "Christopher Ecclestone was in earlier". Apparently he bought a copy of Ben Myers Gallows Pole and took a shop selfie
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Wow, unbelievable response from a query to a local chain of cafes. They mark food as vegan but nothing as vegetarian and I never knew if the cheese was vegetarian or the cheesecake had gelatin. Within 10 minutes of my message, they’ve answered my queries and ordered new “Vegetarian” stickers.
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Simon Spanton @simonguy.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
"So, in memory, it stays as I left it, a sealed room furnished by the past, airless, still, ink long dry on a put-down pen."
 A photo of a copy of the 2000 Penguin Classics edition of A Month in the Country by J.L. Carr
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Met one of my heroes tonight. If someone tells you not to meet your heroes, they’re wrong. Find better heroes. I’ve met two of mine and both were brilliant, wonderful people.
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
I want to go back to buying physical copies of films, but it’s been so long. Are there still regional disks? How can I tell if the disk will be ok for my UK (budget) player? Is there anything else I need to be wary of, and who are the best online sellers? Any help gratefully received!
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
I can post this because the recipient isn’t on here. I’ve finished my crochet blanket using yarns in the colours of the cover of Under Your Spell. It’s big enough to fit at least a double bed, probably a king size. Can’t wait to give it to them.
Picture of a stripy crochet blanket with a copy of Under Your spell by Laura Wood placed on top.
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
We’re boarding out the loft at the moment, so lots of stuff coming downstairs to make room to do the work. Treasure found this morning!
Four tray of Matchbox cars that are now about fifty years old. I adored building cities with Lego to drive these around. I think I even had a garage I could include, and I vaguely remember it had a car park on the roof with a spiral up and down ramp that the car would fit on to do down and whizz out into the Lego street!My trusty Matchbox carry case. ❤️  This meant I could take my cars with me when we visited my grandparents and the grown ups were doing boring things like drinking tea, chatting or reading the Sunday papers.
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Updated my four favourite films on @letterboxd.social as Strictly Ballroom is still very much in my top ten, but Être et Avoir has been on my mind a lot lately, and I just had to bump it up into the top four and Strictly Ballroom has been replaced (for now, at least)
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
It’s been a week of watching films I’ve seen before. Most enjoyable was Moonstruck, and now need to dig out my copy of Crossing Delancey, to complete my favourite New York double bill #LetterboxdFriday #LastFourWatched
Casino Royale ★★★★½
Christopher Reeve: Hope In Motion ★★★★
Moonstruck ★★★★½
Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure ★★★½
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
How many books is TOO many to be in your “currently reading” pile, I wonder?
Reading Journal
Currently Reading (7)
A State of Denmark by Derek Raymond
The Lost Daughter of Sparta by Felicia Day
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Mass
The Evenings by Gerard Reve
The Greatest Possible Good by Ben Brooks
Fifth Business by Robertson Davies
Cherry Blossom at Nightbreak by Rishi Dastidar
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
I finished crocheting the main body of the blanket I’m making as a surprise gift. I finished on Thursday last week, and I sewed in the last yarn end at midnight last night. As you can see from this pile, it was A LOT of sewing!
A very large pile of yarn ends. I think I had to sew in approximately 600 yarn ends in total!
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Tom Cox @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
THREAD/ORIGINAL ART GIVEAWAY This hare linoprint is by my mum, Jo. I'll be sending an original of this to one randomly chosen person who reposts this link to my recently updated website & pops a reply below. www.tom-cox.com The offer is open worldwide. I also have some more art to give away...
A meadow hare, filled with flowers, cut from lino by my mum, Jo.
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Just listened to the @backlisted.bsky.social episode on Patreon that will be the re-run this week. It truly is one for the ages. I’ll post more when it’s in the on the normal feed in the week. 💚
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
My final film for @cineredis.bsky.social this year at @wshed.bsky.social was Modesty Blaise. Ridiculous and camp, but huge fun. Terence Stamp was outrageously gorgeous! Great intro before the film by one of the cinema curators too. boxd.it/1a8U
boxd.it
Modesty Blaise (1966)
Modesty Blaise, a secret agent whose hair color, hair style, and mod clothing change at a snap of her fingers is being used by the British government as a decoy in an effort to thwart a diamond heist....
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
I've had Whistle Down the Wind on my watchlist for years. Glad to have finally seen this brilliant film, and in the cinema too. Thank you @cineredis.bsky.social and @wshed.bsky.social for a fantastic start to my final day of films at the festival! boxd.it/1e4i
boxd.it
Whistle Down the Wind (1961)
When an injured wife-murderer takes refuge on a remote Lancashire farm, the farmer’s three children mistakenly believe him to be the Second Coming of Christ.
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Missing documentary Sledgehammer Revealed (****½)that I saw yesterday at the Watershed yesterday as part of the Cinema Rediscovered film festival, as it’s not listed on Letterboxd (yet?) #LetterboxdFriday #LastFourWatched
Les Sièges de l’Alcazar
****
Nostalgia
****½
A Matter of Loaf and Death
****½
A Close Shave
****½
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Loved this little film. Probably the lowest budget film I’ve ever seen, which made it all the more endearing. Great to watch in a cinema to share the laughs with other people. @cineredis.bsky.social and @wshed.bsky.social have given us an excellent variety of films again this year! boxd.it/5wmM
boxd.it
The Seats of the Alcazar (1989)
A French man recalls his moviegoing adventures at a now defunct titular theater as a journalist for the film magazine Cahiers du Cinéma during the mid-1950s.
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Also saw a documentary @cineredis.bsky.social on the making and restoration of Peter Gabriel’s Sledgehammer video, which I hate to say is now 40 years old. It was exactly what I wanted from a making of doc, and showed the whole of the video at the end. Lovely intro from David Sproxton beforehand too
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Saw the 4K restoration of Nostalgia at the @cineredis.bsky.social festival at the @wshed.bsky.social in Bristol today. It looks absolutely stunning on the big screen. Incredible film, and my new favourite Tarkovsky (out of the three I’ve seen!) boxd.it/28Qi
boxd.it
Nostalgia (1983)
Russian poet Andrei Gorchakov journeys through Italy with his interpreter Eugenia to research the life of an 18th-century Russian composer who once lived abroad. Isolated and consumed by an unrelentin...
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Off to see Tarkovsky’s Nostalghia at @cineredis.bsky.social at the Watetshed today. I’ve just noticed the @wshed.bsky.social is also having a Tarkovsky season in August, so I may pluck up the courage to see some more but have been too nervous to watch after Andrei Rublev years ago!
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Georgette Heyer does have a way with words!
A photo of part of a page of text with the phrase “Dicked in the nob” highlighted.
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
Dammit, he’s woken up.
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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
The football is on the telly, but him indoors has fallen asleep already, so I’m going to mute it and read my book instead 🤫
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