Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Catherine Sharp @csharpwords.bsky.social · 6h

Yep, that's her main song.

Catherine Sharp @csharpwords.bsky.social · 7h

She wasn't well known at the time (other than theatre, I guess?) but she was so fantastic that her name always stuck in my head, and when she started being in TV I watched (Game of Thrones), I was like 'oh I remember her'!

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Reposted by Catherine Sharp

Trick Weekes @trickweekes.bsky.social · 12h

To append by way of agreement:

Someone failing to appreciate a centuries-old novel because they don't get the context and references that give the jokes and metaphors their punch is not a character failing, any more than me not getting a joke told in a language I don't speak.

John Scalzi @scalzi.com · 1d

Most "classics" are boring as fuck to a modern reader in no small part because the context of the story is not understood by them and so many of the allusions and "inside jokes" known to then-contemporary readers have been lost in time and in translation

Rachel Feder @rachelfeder.bsky.social · 2d

Tell me your most unhinged literary opinion, as a little treat

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Catherine Sharp @csharpwords.bsky.social · 7h

I saw one of his last performances in Spamalot in the West End. Absolutely amazing.
And with Hannah Waddingham as the Lady of the Lake, also amazing.

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Reposted by Catherine Sharp

Lynne M. Thomas 🏳️‍🌈🚀🦄 📜 @lynnemthomas.com · 22h

Every book is *someone's* favorite. And that is a glorious thing.

John Wiswell @wiswell.bsky.social · 1d

Tell me your most life-affirming literary opinion.

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Reposted by Catherine Sharp

Frith 🐉 An Odd Type of Dragon @oddtypeofdragon.bsky.social · 1d

I beg of everyone and every organisation this Halloween: if you're doing a PSA about what to do with your pumpkin afterwards, INCLUDE THE COUNTRY IN YOUR INFO(GRAPHIC)

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Catherine Sharp @csharpwords.bsky.social · 1d

Guest of HonoUr! 🤪

(I am very excited.)

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Catherine Sharp @csharpwords.bsky.social · 1d

I love the dark chocolate ones.

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Reposted by Catherine Sharp

bleary @bleary.off-the-records.com · 1d

If anyone needs me I will be in the museum, lying down next to the bog bodies.

Did people really memorize phone numbers before cell phones, or is that just a movie thing?
2? Questions
I was watching some old shows from the 90s and noticed people would just dial numbers from memory - like they'd call their friends or family without looking anything up.
Made me wonder if that was actually normal back then? Did people genuinely have all their important numbers memorized, or did most folks keep a little address book or written list nearby?

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Catherine Sharp @csharpwords.bsky.social · 2d

I have questions. I don't actually want the answers, but I definitely have questions.

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Catherine Sharp @csharpwords.bsky.social · 2d

Ooooh

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Catherine Sharp @csharpwords.bsky.social · 2d

And they're letting me be in charge of it - I have the Big Hat* this year. I'm very excited, and looking forward to everything we can do with Octocon this coming year.

[* It's a real hat.]

Octocon @octocon.bsky.social · 2d

We are delighted to announce that #Octocon2026 will be taking place in Cork City with special guests @cemurphy.bsky.social and @aptshadow.bsky.social.

Find out more at
https://2025.octocon.com/announcing-octocon-2026/

#Octocon #Fantasy #SciFi #Fandom #ReadingCommunity #SciFiConvention #CorkCity

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Catherine Sharp @csharpwords.bsky.social · 5d

The best bacon in the world comes from an Irish filling/service station between 6 and 8am, and I will fight anyone who says otherwise.

Catherine Sharp @csharpwords.bsky.social · 5d

Upfate is a pretty excellent typo as they go, though. Feels like a story prompt.

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Reposted by Catherine Sharp

David M. Bennett MD (FAAOS, FPOSNA, DABOS) @davembmd.bsky.social · 6d

This is the funniest thing I’ve seen in a long time. @aptshadow.bsky.social @abraham.bsky.social

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Catherine Sharp @csharpwords.bsky.social · 6d

Oddly enough, I have been spending today getting stuff ready for your bookbinding workshop too.... 😁

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Reposted by Catherine Sharp

Marve with an 'E' @justmarvewrites.bsky.social · 6d

WATERSTONES PREORDER CAMPAIGN!

Eager readers, I have a special surprise for you! If you preorder FIRSTBORN OF THE SUN through @waterstones, we’ll send you some gifts☀️ Head to the form in my bio to share your proof of purchase🧡

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Catherine Sharp @csharpwords.bsky.social · 7d

Not if you keep eating it, it won't!
(Well-deserved cheese.)

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Catherine Sharp @csharpwords.bsky.social · 7d

Between you and [REDACTED], we're going to need a bigger table at [REDACTED]!

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Reposted by Catherine Sharp

Naomi Alderman @naomialderman.bsky.social · 7d

feels like yet again time to mention that the *videogames* industry (that's a creative industry, which people do creative degrees in) brings in more than twice the amount to the British economy as the fishing and steel industries *combined*

Naomi Alderman @naomialderman.bsky.social · 7d

I cannot understand what these people think the purpose of human life is?

It is *not* "pursue joy, deal justly, love well, try to understand as much and see as much of this beautiful world and of the deepness, richness and variety of human culture and experience as you can before you die"?

Tim Worthington @outonbluesix.bsky.social · 7d

How is this repeatedly made into a policy issue - by *all* parties - when the blunt fact of the matter is that grown adults who are obliged to pay for their own education, and relentlessly pursued to repay their loans, should be able to study whatever the fuck they want.

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Reposted by Catherine Sharp

Rachel Handley 🏳️‍🌈 @rachelahandley.com · 8d

I'm delighted to say that I will be running an online Ursula Le Guin themed creative writing workshop for @octocon.bsky.social on 11th October, 4 pm.

Get ready for some philosophical fiction!

You must be a member to join. Not a member yet? You can still sign-up here: 2025.octocon.com/join-us/

Poster showing a pink/red octopus with a cute face. The background is a white and blue water cartoon-like graphic. The text reads: Would you walk away from Omelas? An Ursula Le Guin Themed Creative Writing Workshop, 11th October, 4 pm, online. In this workshop, led by science fiction writer, poet, and philosophy lecturer Dr Rachel Handley, you will be invited to explore Le Guin's short stories and related themes. There will be opportunities to respond to writing prompts based on Le Guin's and other's work throughout the workshop. The workshop will be very interactive, and writers at all levels are very welcome to attend. You'll also have the chance to read out what you've written during the workshop.

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Catherine Sharp @csharpwords.bsky.social · 7d

The final 2025 @octocon.bsky.social committee meeting is done! We are mostly ready (especially our programme, have you seen it? prog.octocon.com) but there's always a few last things, and more volunteers would be great, particularly online.
It's going to be a great little convention though.

Octocon 2025 Programme Guide

Octocon, the National Irish Science Fiction Convention, is a weekend celebration of our favourite stories from books, comics, TV, films and games; from science fiction, fantasy, horror and beyond.

prog.octocon.com

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Reposted by Catherine Sharp

Grem, of 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐏 🔜 MCAtlanta! @gremlin.world · 9d

I will never not repost this

(Sound on for maximum effect)

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Reposted by Catherine Sharp

Dr Matt Pope @mattpope.bsky.social · 8d

Awful news from Wales, the St Fagan's Museum has been broken into and prehistoric goldwork has been taken. Its painful to think what objects might now be at risk. Thoughts with the museum team who must be devastated, all speed to the police and a curse on the crooks.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

St Fagans: Bronze Age gold jewellery stolen from musuem

Police are investigating a burglary at St Fagans museum in the early hours of Monday morning.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Reposted by Catherine Sharp

CarolC @carolconnolly.bsky.social · 9d

Books Upstairs have been huge supporters of Irish writers and international small press works.
Do take a browse through their online shop
booksupstairs.ie

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