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juliamanc.bsky.social @juliamanc.bsky.social · Jul 18

Kimberly Campanello has written a perfect evocation of a summer romance across cultures and language. Spare and beautiful writing shows how profoundly a young girl can fall in love. And how her horizons can change as a result. A one sitting absolute treat. #UsetheWordsYouHave

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juliamanc.bsky.social @juliamanc.bsky.social · Apr 4

Just seen Abigail’s Party @rxtheatre.bsky.social Was nervous beforehand as it is my favourite play. But it is a stunning Mancunian version of the classic. Brilliant performances. Laughed til I cried then cried some more xx

juliamanc.bsky.social @juliamanc.bsky.social · Mar 6

Absolutely worth the wait. What a wonderful writer. Like four stories about 4 mesmerising women in one but so cleverly melded together. Thank you #ChimamandaNgoziAdiche ❤️

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juliamanc.bsky.social @juliamanc.bsky.social · Mar 4

Surely you just make it not ‘get’ it Tim ?? 👩‍🍳

juliamanc.bsky.social @juliamanc.bsky.social · Mar 4

It doesn’t make things better today. But #OmarElAkkad is one of the few people brave enough to talk sense about the current abhorrent world situation #Gaza Essential reading - searing account of how we have got here

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juliamanc.bsky.social @juliamanc.bsky.social · Feb 11

Can’t believe I didn’t spot the Irish connection Keren! Thank you. My 3rd generation Irish DNA is obviously influencing my literary judgement more than I knew 😊📚🇮🇪

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juliamanc.bsky.social @juliamanc.bsky.social · Feb 9

‘The Palace of Dreams’ from 1981 by Albanian exile Ismail Kadare (who died last year) is a brilliant Kafaesque nightmarish vision of his country. But the scary thing is that it could happen anywhere. Just like 1984. Recommended reading #books

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juliamanc.bsky.social @juliamanc.bsky.social · Feb 8

Just back from watching #September5 - a properly tense and pacy film. Felt like you were there with them. Great reportage movie. Sorry the world is still in such a mess though

juliamanc.bsky.social @juliamanc.bsky.social · Feb 5

I wasn’t sure about Berg - the 1964 recently republished cult classic by Ann Quin - nearly gave up after the first chapter. So glad I didn’t. A unique writing style and a witty and perceptive mind. #books

juliamanc.bsky.social @juliamanc.bsky.social · Feb 3

I am struggling to remember a more slim poignant heartbreaking book than Human Acts by Han Kang. Such a powerful way to let the world know the realities of the 1980 massacre of Gwangju students and others in South Korea. Fabulous devastating writing #books

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juliamanc.bsky.social @juliamanc.bsky.social · Feb 2

Very happy to have discovered Vivian Gornick thanks to #backlisted Great writing. Wise woman. Entertaining and sage look at the streets and people of New York City

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juliamanc.bsky.social @juliamanc.bsky.social · Jan 20

Loved #ACompleteUnknown Great acting especially by TC. Authentic period feel. Shame they had to transpose the electric epiphany from Manchester to US & make up a whole story around it- but I don’t want to sound too nitpicky. Really enjoyed it. But wouldn’t have wanted to be one of his girlfriends!!

juliamanc.bsky.social @juliamanc.bsky.social · Jan 20

Just listened to the audiobook of #GloriousExploits by Ferdia Lennon. What a fantastic book. I never knew a hybrid novel about ancient history & Euripides’ Medea (what a play!) told with modern Celtic wit could be so enthralling. Best book I have read for ages. Beautifully narrated by the author too

juliamanc.bsky.social @juliamanc.bsky.social · Jan 19

What a beautiful photo. I’m so sorry for your loss. I guess in time it might help to focus on the love and joy she obviously brought to you. RIP Take care of yourself x

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Reposted

Jeremy Corbyn @jeremycorbyn.bsky.social · Jan 13

21 years ago, British journalist Tom Hurndall died after spending 9 months in a coma.

Tom was carrying a Palestinian child out of range of Israeli army gunfire when he was shot in the head.

We will never forget him, nor his vision of a free and independent Palestine.

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juliamanc.bsky.social @juliamanc.bsky.social · Jan 13

Hi @kermodeandmayo.bsky.social Just seen #Maria. Music was divine obviously & the look & feel suitably lavish & stylish as befits a first class diva. AJ was also impressive in a demanding role. Script was a bit ropey/hammy in places but overall really enjoyed the experience

juliamanc.bsky.social @juliamanc.bsky.social · Jan 12

Absolutely loved #ARealPain. Very funny and very moving. Kieran Culkin is so good in it. What a brilliant film

juliamanc.bsky.social @juliamanc.bsky.social · Jan 10

Probably something like … stop playing that effing guitar and help me up out of this window - I would think

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juliamanc.bsky.social @juliamanc.bsky.social · Jan 10

Big thanks to @outonbluesix.bsky.social for his new gem of a book #TheGoldenAgeofChildrensTV So many great memories & things I had totally forgotten but were life or death at the time obvs. Half my childhood was spent in front of a TV & it was my everything. Great to see this world given due respect

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juliamanc.bsky.social @juliamanc.bsky.social · Jan 10

Hi @kermodeandmayo.bsky.social Saw #Babygirl with fairly low expectations due to poor reviews (not from Mark obvs).Didn’t buy all the plot swerves but very thought provoking about power dynamics in S&M relationships. Great leads with a v strong chemistry. Really enjoyed it - left me thinking a lot.

juliamanc.bsky.social @juliamanc.bsky.social · Jan 10

The books are fabulous but also worth considering are the wonderful audiobooks by Trollope brought to life fantastically by the late great & sadly missed Timothy West. For the record my favourite is controversially (I now realise) ‘Can You Forgive Her?’. Was hooked on the BBC TV series aged 10!

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juliamanc.bsky.social @juliamanc.bsky.social · Jan 9

Thank you so much @iammilliam.bsky.social for recommending ‘All My Precious Madness’. What a fantastic book. Mark Bowles gives us a searingly honest,yet insightful & sometimes very amusing book. Chimed with me in so many ways - not least in his utter derision of business nonsense-speak idiots! Bravo

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juliamanc.bsky.social @juliamanc.bsky.social · Dec 19

I wonder if the #waspiwomen betrayal by Labour will be the same watershed moment for them as the student loan u turn was for the Lib Dems?

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juliamanc.bsky.social @juliamanc.bsky.social · Dec 11

My two favourite films this year have been #Anora - brilliant again from Sean Baker. Thrilling, funny and moving all in one. And just as good was #AllofUsStrangers - had to see it twice to really appreciate its depth. Weird but brilliant and very sad. #filmsoftheyear

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juliamanc.bsky.social @juliamanc.bsky.social · Dec 11

My comfort reading of old children’s books award for 2024 goes to Tove Jansson and the wonderful but sadly so relevant today ‘The Moomins and the Great Flood’ (lovely new edition) plus that old perennial ’The Railway Children’ by Edith Nesbit. Still as lovely as ever to read #booksoftheyear