Will Buckingham | 白忠修
@willbuckingham.com
Writer (HELLO, STRANGER, Granta 2022) & philosopher. In Pingtung, Taiwan, with a foot in Scotland. Professor @ Parami University, Myanmar. Director @windandbones.bsky.social
https://www.willbuckingham.com
https://www.windandbones.com
https://www.willbuckingham.com
https://www.windandbones.com
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Will Buckingham | 白忠修
@willbuckingham.com
· Dec 12
Somehow, I've not yet mentioned this on Bluesky. But my latest book, "Hello, Stranger" (Granta 2022) is about how most of the 8 billion people on this planet are strangers. So dealing with strangers is one of the central problems of human life.
blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/pro...
blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/pro...
After years of refining & further refining a book proposal, agonising over the market—an abstraction entirely beyond my comprehension—I've started again from scratch, putting words to paper, writing what I want. Who knows where it's going? But there's life there, & fun, & a sense of something real.
February 17, 2026 at 2:27 PM
After years of refining & further refining a book proposal, agonising over the market—an abstraction entirely beyond my comprehension—I've started again from scratch, putting words to paper, writing what I want. Who knows where it's going? But there's life there, & fun, & a sense of something real.
We're gearing up for the lunar new year here in Taiwan, so here's Ludwig Wittgenstein, wishing you a very happy year of the horse. 馬上成功！
February 16, 2026 at 7:23 AM
We're gearing up for the lunar new year here in Taiwan, so here's Ludwig Wittgenstein, wishing you a very happy year of the horse. 馬上成功！
An excellent piece on the virtues of sad sandwiches by Misato Okaneya.
"Boterham demands no love or effort, and keeps the day going. I feel there is absolute trust in a boterham, not necessarily because it is excellent, but because it is simple and unpretentious."
"Boterham demands no love or effort, and keeps the day going. I feel there is absolute trust in a boterham, not necessarily because it is excellent, but because it is simple and unpretentious."
Why do the Dutch never get tired of everyday sandwiches, the boterham?
At lunchtime on university campus one thing stands out: the boterham (sandwich). Coming from Japan’s elaborate bento culture, I was puzzled that so many students eat the same thin sandwich every day. ...
www.leidenanthropologyblog.nl
February 14, 2026 at 12:26 PM
An excellent piece on the virtues of sad sandwiches by Misato Okaneya.
"Boterham demands no love or effort, and keeps the day going. I feel there is absolute trust in a boterham, not necessarily because it is excellent, but because it is simple and unpretentious."
"Boterham demands no love or effort, and keeps the day going. I feel there is absolute trust in a boterham, not necessarily because it is excellent, but because it is simple and unpretentious."
Turned up this treasure in Pingtung. Taiwanese language songs with guitar accompaniment, from 1977.
February 14, 2026 at 7:25 AM
Turned up this treasure in Pingtung. Taiwanese language songs with guitar accompaniment, from 1977.
Had a dream last night that Nick Cave popped in to borrow a duster. I offered him a J-Cloth, but he regretfully declined, saying he wanted a proper duster or nothing at all.
February 12, 2026 at 4:54 AM
Had a dream last night that Nick Cave popped in to borrow a duster. I offered him a J-Cloth, but he regretfully declined, saying he wanted a proper duster or nothing at all.
Reposted by Will Buckingham | 白忠修
Our co-director @willbuckingham.com talking about literature and translation at the Taipei International Book Exhibition. Featured in the Liberty Times 👇
art.ltn.com.tw/article/pape...
art.ltn.com.tw/article/pape...
【藝術文化】聚焦台北國際書展國際交流面 探討台灣文學轉譯 行銷全球 - 自由藝文網
2026年台北國際書展第4日，國際交流活動密集展開，台灣文學如何被翻譯、被理解並走向世界，亦成為今年書展的觀察焦點之一。由客家委員會與書林出版合作完成的《寒夜三部曲》英文全譯本，歷時3年完成，完整呈現《寒夜》、《荒村》、《孤燈》3部作品，讓英文讀者首度得以閱讀這部橫跨3代、描繪日治時期至戰爭年代台灣
art.ltn.com.tw
February 8, 2026 at 1:39 PM
Our co-director @willbuckingham.com talking about literature and translation at the Taipei International Book Exhibition. Featured in the Liberty Times 👇
art.ltn.com.tw/article/pape...
art.ltn.com.tw/article/pape...
In the news, in a tiny hat. Talking about literature and translation in Taiwan.
art.ltn.com.tw/article/pape...
art.ltn.com.tw/article/pape...
【藝術文化】聚焦台北國際書展國際交流面 探討台灣文學轉譯 行銷全球 - 自由藝文網
2026年台北國際書展第4日，國際交流活動密集展開，台灣文學如何被翻譯、被理解並走向世界，亦成為今年書展的觀察焦點之一。由客家委員會與書林出版合作完成的《寒夜三部曲》英文全譯本，歷時3年完成，完整呈現《寒夜》、《荒村》、《孤燈》3部作品，讓英文讀者首度得以閱讀這部橫跨3代、描繪日治時期至戰爭年代台灣
art.ltn.com.tw
February 8, 2026 at 1:02 AM
In the news, in a tiny hat. Talking about literature and translation in Taiwan.
art.ltn.com.tw/article/pape...
art.ltn.com.tw/article/pape...
A disadvantage of working in an online university (Parami) with faculty across the world, and finding myself in the easternmost time-zone, is that I have to attend meetings at 10pm on Friday night.
My meeting outfit tonight will be pyjamas with a jacket thrown over the top. It fools nobody.
My meeting outfit tonight will be pyjamas with a jacket thrown over the top. It fools nobody.
February 6, 2026 at 12:23 PM
A disadvantage of working in an online university (Parami) with faculty across the world, and finding myself in the easternmost time-zone, is that I have to attend meetings at 10pm on Friday night.
My meeting outfit tonight will be pyjamas with a jacket thrown over the top. It fools nobody.
My meeting outfit tonight will be pyjamas with a jacket thrown over the top. It fools nobody.
So nice to finally see this in print. A series of interviews with Taiwanese indie bookshop owners, talking about their strategies for survival. I did the translations into English, and learned a lot about the Taiwan book trade. The design of the book is fabulous.
February 6, 2026 at 8:58 AM
So nice to finally see this in print. A series of interviews with Taiwanese indie bookshop owners, talking about their strategies for survival. I did the translations into English, and learned a lot about the Taiwan book trade. The design of the book is fabulous.
I lost my wallet in Taipei. It was returned to the police station. Not only that, but all the cash and cards were still there, and had been removed, catalogued, and put back with such neat orderliness that I'm tempted to lose my wallet more often, if only to take advantage of this extra service. 😍
February 5, 2026 at 2:46 AM
I lost my wallet in Taipei. It was returned to the police station. Not only that, but all the cash and cards were still there, and had been removed, catalogued, and put back with such neat orderliness that I'm tempted to lose my wallet more often, if only to take advantage of this extra service. 😍
Up in Taipei for a spell, and it's nice to be here. In between some tasty Malaysian food, and a very good Long Island iced tea, I've spent the evening practising hard, so I can sound at least relatively coherent in Mandarin on a panel tomorrow at the Taiwan International Book Exhibition.
February 4, 2026 at 2:23 PM
Up in Taipei for a spell, and it's nice to be here. In between some tasty Malaysian food, and a very good Long Island iced tea, I've spent the evening practising hard, so I can sound at least relatively coherent in Mandarin on a panel tomorrow at the Taiwan International Book Exhibition.
Reposted by Will Buckingham | 白忠修
Taiwan cuteness here in Pingtung! @willbuckingham.com and I showing our first visitor around.
February 3, 2026 at 8:28 AM
Taiwan cuteness here in Pingtung! @willbuckingham.com and I showing our first visitor around.
Oh, Nina…. You are right up there on my list of things that make life incomparably better. #NowListening
February 2, 2026 at 1:41 PM
Oh, Nina…. You are right up there on my list of things that make life incomparably better. #NowListening
Terrific Sunday morning jazz here in Pingtung with singer YenTing Lo and pianist 林亮宇. Tickets a snap at 50元. I'm so glad I went.
YenTing Lo
來自台灣的爵士創作歌手、作曲家、編曲家。
2019年10月25日發行個人第一張全創作專輯《葉片之上》。
Jazz singer, songwriter, arranger and flutist from Kaohsiung, Taiwan, graduated from the Conservatory of Amsterdam in 2019.
Currently active perfor...
www.youtube.com
February 1, 2026 at 10:46 AM
Terrific Sunday morning jazz here in Pingtung with singer YenTing Lo and pianist 林亮宇. Tickets a snap at 50元. I'm so glad I went.
Here's something I wrote on temple #divination in #Taiwan, the gamification of choosing, why belief isn't really a big deal, and why we can still find ways of choosing better, even if there are no better choices...
Divination and the Art of Choosing Well (Part II of II: Gamifying Hard Choices)
Divination without belief? On the practice of playing with prognostications.
wayward.willbuckingham.com
January 29, 2026 at 12:52 PM
Here's something I wrote on temple #divination in #Taiwan, the gamification of choosing, why belief isn't really a big deal, and why we can still find ways of choosing better, even if there are no better choices...
As is well-known, dreams about levitation are highly auspicious, harbingers of great fame and success. Well, last night, I dreamed that I was levitating, while a cat curled asleep on my lap. And the omens here are clearly off the scale.
January 26, 2026 at 11:47 PM
As is well-known, dreams about levitation are highly auspicious, harbingers of great fame and success. Well, last night, I dreamed that I was levitating, while a cat curled asleep on my lap. And the omens here are clearly off the scale.
Nice to see that 2026 is keeping up its strong commitment to being completely normal.
January 22, 2026 at 10:51 AM
Nice to see that 2026 is keeping up its strong commitment to being completely normal.
A small encounter, and an attempt at religious conversion, on the streets of Pingtung.
www.willbuckingham.com/granny-chen-...
#Taiwan #Pingtung
www.willbuckingham.com/granny-chen-...
#Taiwan #Pingtung
Granny Chen's Jujubes | Will Buckingham
A gift of fruit on the streets of Pingtung
www.willbuckingham.com
January 22, 2026 at 1:48 AM
A small encounter, and an attempt at religious conversion, on the streets of Pingtung.
www.willbuckingham.com/granny-chen-...
#Taiwan #Pingtung
www.willbuckingham.com/granny-chen-...
#Taiwan #Pingtung
While we source things like drying racks, we're making use of our local launderette. So this is my office for the morning while I work on a long-overdue book proposal. I'm being well looked-after—Mr. Liu from the coffee shop next door has just brought me a free hand-drip coffee.
#Taiwan #Pingtung
#Taiwan #Pingtung
January 21, 2026 at 2:16 AM
Recovering from lugging boxes up five flights of stairs with some with excellent Turkish coffee, and equally excellent company. It’s nice to be here in Pingtung.
Afternoon tea break to recover from the house move to Pingtung. It's very nice to be back here in Taiwan. @willbuckingham.com
January 20, 2026 at 11:10 AM
Recovering from lugging boxes up five flights of stairs with some with excellent Turkish coffee, and equally excellent company. It’s nice to be here in Pingtung.
Taipei friends, this looks like it will be a great event. A bit of a long haul from down south, sadly, but the book is next on my list.
TAIWAN FRIENDS: This is tomorrow night! Tues, Jan. 20 at 7:30pm I’ll be in conversation w/ @michellekuo.bsky.social at Bookman Books in Taipei, and I will have copies of The Translator’s Daughter available for sale! Please RSVP via the QR code, bring a friend, and I look forward to seeing you 💚
A DREAM COME TRUE: My first book event of 2026 will be in Taiwan!!! On Tuesday, Jan. 20, 7:30pm, I am so honored and excited to be in conversation with @michellekuo.bsky.social at Bookman Books in Taipei. Event will be in English; RSVP via the QR code. Taipei friends, hope to see you there! 💚
January 19, 2026 at 7:30 AM
Taipei friends, this looks like it will be a great event. A bit of a long haul from down south, sadly, but the book is next on my list.
Reposted by Will Buckingham | 白忠修
China: Flies sorties into Taiwan's air defense zone (ADIZ)
China: Cuts Taiwan's undersea cables
China: Swarms fishing boats into military formation
China: Flies a drone into Taiwan's air space
China: Says it will take Taiwan by force, if necessary
Rest of the world to Taiwan: Stop provoking China!
China: Cuts Taiwan's undersea cables
China: Swarms fishing boats into military formation
China: Flies a drone into Taiwan's air space
China: Says it will take Taiwan by force, if necessary
Rest of the world to Taiwan: Stop provoking China!
January 19, 2026 at 3:03 AM
China: Flies sorties into Taiwan's air defense zone (ADIZ)
China: Cuts Taiwan's undersea cables
China: Swarms fishing boats into military formation
China: Flies a drone into Taiwan's air space
China: Says it will take Taiwan by force, if necessary
Rest of the world to Taiwan: Stop provoking China!
China: Cuts Taiwan's undersea cables
China: Swarms fishing boats into military formation
China: Flies a drone into Taiwan's air space
China: Says it will take Taiwan by force, if necessary
Rest of the world to Taiwan: Stop provoking China!
The guy who moved us from Tainan to Pingtung was a total superstar. He charged 3000 TWD to ship a van full of stuff (& us) down here, bought us coffee & scones to keep us fuelled, helped lug everything up five flights of stairs, & talked enthusiastically about philosophy the whole way.
#Taiwan
#Taiwan
January 18, 2026 at 2:03 PM
The guy who moved us from Tainan to Pingtung was a total superstar. He charged 3000 TWD to ship a van full of stuff (& us) down here, bought us coffee & scones to keep us fuelled, helped lug everything up five flights of stairs, & talked enthusiastically about philosophy the whole way.
#Taiwan
#Taiwan
it's been a hectic few days, but we're just about ready to move down to #Pingtung tomorrow.... I picked up the keys to our new place today.
www.willbuckingham.com/going-south/
www.willbuckingham.com/going-south/
Going South | Will Buckingham
We're moving south, to the city of Pingtung!
www.willbuckingham.com
January 17, 2026 at 11:11 AM
it's been a hectic few days, but we're just about ready to move down to #Pingtung tomorrow.... I picked up the keys to our new place today.
www.willbuckingham.com/going-south/
www.willbuckingham.com/going-south/