Hels
@helenthwaite.bsky.social
Books, yarn, and nerdy shit.
📖 Book reviews: https://helensbookhoard.carrd.co/
🧶Crochet: https://twocrows.taplink.bio
📖 Book reviews: https://helensbookhoard.carrd.co/
🧶Crochet: https://twocrows.taplink.bio
Pinned
📖Four stars to THERE BE DRAGONS HERE by S.L. Rowland📖
This "was my first voyage into Aedrea. It won’t be my last." Full review: helensbookhoard.co.uk/there-be-dra...
This "was my first voyage into Aedrea. It won’t be my last." Full review: helensbookhoard.co.uk/there-be-dra...
Reposted by Hels
Ian McKellen performs “The Strangers’ Case” speech from “Sir Thomas More” on Colbert.
February 5, 2026 at 1:07 PM
Ian McKellen performs “The Strangers’ Case” speech from “Sir Thomas More” on Colbert.
@realtoddstashwick.bsky.social Wisdom for the ages. 😂
February 5, 2026 at 3:39 PM
@realtoddstashwick.bsky.social Wisdom for the ages. 😂
@realtoddstashwick.bsky.social At art class, making clay tiles. So I *obviously* had to do this. 😁
February 5, 2026 at 3:06 PM
@realtoddstashwick.bsky.social At art class, making clay tiles. So I *obviously* had to do this. 😁
I assume the study was called "No shit, Sherlock."
Females as likely to be autistic as males but boys more likely to be diagnosed, study says
Females as likely to be autistic as males but boys more likely to be diagnosed, study says
By age 20 diagnosis rates almost equal, research finds, challenging assumptions of gender discrepancy
Females may be just as likely to be autistic as males but boys are up to four times more likely to be diagnosed in childhood, according to a large-scale study.
Research led by the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden scrutinised the diagnosis rates of autism for people born in Sweden between 1985 and 2020. Of the 2.7 million people tracked, 2.8% were diagnosed with autism between the ages of two and 37. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
February 5, 2026 at 12:52 PM
I assume the study was called "No shit, Sherlock."
My god, dudebros do NOT like it when you (a woman) correct them. I'm a "bully" and "nasty" for calmly and politely saying that he was wrong.
Arsehole.
Arsehole.
February 5, 2026 at 12:49 PM
My god, dudebros do NOT like it when you (a woman) correct them. I'm a "bully" and "nasty" for calmly and politely saying that he was wrong.
Arsehole.
Arsehole.
I once stood next to Ryan Giggs at a pub bar and paid him no attention whatsoever because while I'll watch a footie match, I don't know players from Adam.
My friends at the table were FREAKING out when I got back. I didn't see what the fuss was about. He was just some bloke. 😅
My friends at the table were FREAKING out when I got back. I didn't see what the fuss was about. He was just some bloke. 😅
One of my academic colleagues looks a bit like Bob Mortimer. One time near our labs I saw him walking towards me and I warmly said Hey Kevin. It was Bob Mortimer.
Please share your very low impact celebrity encounters here.
Please share your very low impact celebrity encounters here.
Fun low level anecdote: I once sat near Peter Mandelson in a theatre but I had a name blank and said rather too loudly ‘ooh look it’s Michael Portillo!’
He was visibly unamused.
He was visibly unamused.
February 5, 2026 at 12:20 PM
I once stood next to Ryan Giggs at a pub bar and paid him no attention whatsoever because while I'll watch a footie match, I don't know players from Adam.
My friends at the table were FREAKING out when I got back. I didn't see what the fuss was about. He was just some bloke. 😅
My friends at the table were FREAKING out when I got back. I didn't see what the fuss was about. He was just some bloke. 😅
I've three tabs open at book seller sites. I have no control.
February 5, 2026 at 11:45 AM
I've three tabs open at book seller sites. I have no control.
#Febchantment Day 5
Magic is something that beings in my world just *are*. Fairies and dragons so far, though a few more creatures might show up.
They are born *of* magic. It allows fairies to fly and dragons to breathe fire. It doesn't allow conjuring, which is why I doubt witches will happen.
Magic is something that beings in my world just *are*. Fairies and dragons so far, though a few more creatures might show up.
They are born *of* magic. It allows fairies to fly and dragons to breathe fire. It doesn't allow conjuring, which is why I doubt witches will happen.
#Febchantment Day 5
Tell us about who can wield magic in your world!
Is it available to everyone, or only a special few? Is it a gift you're born with, or a skill you can learn? Is the knowledge gatekept in some way?
Don't forget to read & interact with others! 😁
#writingcommunity #writesky
Tell us about who can wield magic in your world!
Is it available to everyone, or only a special few? Is it a gift you're born with, or a skill you can learn? Is the knowledge gatekept in some way?
Don't forget to read & interact with others! 😁
#writingcommunity #writesky
February 5, 2026 at 9:35 AM
#Febchantment Day 5
Magic is something that beings in my world just *are*. Fairies and dragons so far, though a few more creatures might show up.
They are born *of* magic. It allows fairies to fly and dragons to breathe fire. It doesn't allow conjuring, which is why I doubt witches will happen.
Magic is something that beings in my world just *are*. Fairies and dragons so far, though a few more creatures might show up.
They are born *of* magic. It allows fairies to fly and dragons to breathe fire. It doesn't allow conjuring, which is why I doubt witches will happen.
Nob told me to chill. Nah, you don't get to pretend you know what you're talking about and then get shirty when called out on your shit.
I've just seen a TikTok from 6 Jan about VisionQuest and Paladin and... mate, did you just read the Wiki? 😂
And no, Todd had not "just been cast." He was cast a blooming year ago and his fans all knew it despite the denials. Filming was *wrapped* by January.
And no, Todd had not "just been cast." He was cast a blooming year ago and his fans all knew it despite the denials. Filming was *wrapped* by January.
a woman says that is brand new information in front of a black background
Alt: phoebe from froends says that is brand new information
media.tenor.com
February 5, 2026 at 9:17 AM
Nob told me to chill. Nah, you don't get to pretend you know what you're talking about and then get shirty when called out on your shit.
I've just seen a TikTok from 6 Jan about VisionQuest and Paladin and... mate, did you just read the Wiki? 😂
And no, Todd had not "just been cast." He was cast a blooming year ago and his fans all knew it despite the denials. Filming was *wrapped* by January.
And no, Todd had not "just been cast." He was cast a blooming year ago and his fans all knew it despite the denials. Filming was *wrapped* by January.
a woman says that is brand new information in front of a black background
Alt: phoebe from froends says that is brand new information
media.tenor.com
February 5, 2026 at 2:57 AM
I've just seen a TikTok from 6 Jan about VisionQuest and Paladin and... mate, did you just read the Wiki? 😂
And no, Todd had not "just been cast." He was cast a blooming year ago and his fans all knew it despite the denials. Filming was *wrapped* by January.
And no, Todd had not "just been cast." He was cast a blooming year ago and his fans all knew it despite the denials. Filming was *wrapped* by January.
What a fabulous woman she was. ❤️
Victoria, it's the first episode of the second series. The thing is, you're never going to top the musical numbers in the first series, so just rela-
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFI5...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFI5...
Victoria Wood - Let's Do It - The Ballad of Barry & Freda - Original 1986 version
YouTube video by iamnotniles
www.youtube.com
February 4, 2026 at 10:17 PM
What a fabulous woman she was. ❤️
John Virgo has died?! Oh man, this hurts. My dad loved him (as did I).
February 4, 2026 at 7:50 PM
John Virgo has died?! Oh man, this hurts. My dad loved him (as did I).
#Febchantment Day 4
Vocab time! Tell us about some important terms we need to know to understand your magic system. Obviously, make sure you include the definitions! 😁
As usual, interpret the prompt however makes sense to you! Don't feel limited only to conlang words.
#writingcommunity #writesky
Vocab time! Tell us about some important terms we need to know to understand your magic system. Obviously, make sure you include the definitions! 😁
As usual, interpret the prompt however makes sense to you! Don't feel limited only to conlang words.
#writingcommunity #writesky
February 4, 2026 at 7:26 PM
Reposted by Hels
We've had two orders this year which is frankly unsustainable from a business and income standpoint 😅
So uh, check out all our cool products like gelly cube soaps (with full dice set inside) at www.tabletoptinkering.com
Free UK shipping over £30!
#smallbusiness #ttrpg #dice #dnd
So uh, check out all our cool products like gelly cube soaps (with full dice set inside) at www.tabletoptinkering.com
Free UK shipping over £30!
#smallbusiness #ttrpg #dice #dnd
February 4, 2026 at 6:57 AM
We've had two orders this year which is frankly unsustainable from a business and income standpoint 😅
So uh, check out all our cool products like gelly cube soaps (with full dice set inside) at www.tabletoptinkering.com
Free UK shipping over £30!
#smallbusiness #ttrpg #dice #dnd
So uh, check out all our cool products like gelly cube soaps (with full dice set inside) at www.tabletoptinkering.com
Free UK shipping over £30!
#smallbusiness #ttrpg #dice #dnd
Reposted by Hels
4
What forest spirit best matches your mood?
1. wistful goat of woe
2. gnarled gnome of hope
3. cantankerous toad of doom
4. exhausted moss mound
1. wistful goat of woe
2. gnarled gnome of hope
3. cantankerous toad of doom
4. exhausted moss mound
February 3, 2026 at 4:44 PM
4
#Febchantment Day 3
My magic is based on force. No, not The Force - we're not Star Warring here - but a property in a physics sense. It exists in the same way that gravity exists: iIt affects life but cannot be tapped into.
My magic is based on force. No, not The Force - we're not Star Warring here - but a property in a physics sense. It exists in the same way that gravity exists: iIt affects life but cannot be tapped into.
#Febchantment Day 3
What is the central concept of your magic system? E.g. Elemental magic? Music magic? Name-based magic? Something else? (Note: this isn't the "source" of magic - that's Day 8!)
If you already answered this previously, feel free to go into more detail!
#writingcommunity #writesky
What is the central concept of your magic system? E.g. Elemental magic? Music magic? Name-based magic? Something else? (Note: this isn't the "source" of magic - that's Day 8!)
If you already answered this previously, feel free to go into more detail!
#writingcommunity #writesky
February 3, 2026 at 4:06 PM
#Febchantment Day 3
My magic is based on force. No, not The Force - we're not Star Warring here - but a property in a physics sense. It exists in the same way that gravity exists: iIt affects life but cannot be tapped into.
My magic is based on force. No, not The Force - we're not Star Warring here - but a property in a physics sense. It exists in the same way that gravity exists: iIt affects life but cannot be tapped into.
Pre-op won't look at me again for 3 months. I'm devastated.
February 3, 2026 at 8:47 AM
Pre-op won't look at me again for 3 months. I'm devastated.
Would be nice, but no.
Has there been a situation where you reacted like that? "OMG THAT PERSON LOVED MY BOOKS? NO WAY!"
February 2, 2026 at 8:57 PM
Would be nice, but no.
I knew the files were going to be bad. I suspected they'd be worse than what I could imagine. I did not expect *this* level of worse.
I'm sickened and angry. Not least because some of the names have been involved in anti-trans rhetoric claiming they're "protecting women and girls".
Fuck. Them. All
I'm sickened and angry. Not least because some of the names have been involved in anti-trans rhetoric claiming they're "protecting women and girls".
Fuck. Them. All
February 2, 2026 at 7:57 PM
I knew the files were going to be bad. I suspected they'd be worse than what I could imagine. I did not expect *this* level of worse.
I'm sickened and angry. Not least because some of the names have been involved in anti-trans rhetoric claiming they're "protecting women and girls".
Fuck. Them. All
I'm sickened and angry. Not least because some of the names have been involved in anti-trans rhetoric claiming they're "protecting women and girls".
Fuck. Them. All
Reposted by Hels
ICYMI, Gai*man is slinking out of the shadows and posting again, trying to scuttle his way back into the public's good graces.
Please take care of yourselves, believe women, believe survivors, and fuck that guy.
Please take care of yourselves, believe women, believe survivors, and fuck that guy.
February 2, 2026 at 7:03 PM
ICYMI, Gai*man is slinking out of the shadows and posting again, trying to scuttle his way back into the public's good graces.
Please take care of yourselves, believe women, believe survivors, and fuck that guy.
Please take care of yourselves, believe women, believe survivors, and fuck that guy.
I just backed Toe Beans Magical Cat Cafe: A Supplement for Daggerheart on @kickstarter.com www.kickstarter.com/projects/fis...
Toe Beans Magical Cat Cafe: A Supplement for Daggerheart
Welcome to Toe Beans, a magical cat cafe purrfect to drop in to your Daggerheart game, by Fistful of Crits.
www.kickstarter.com
February 2, 2026 at 6:54 PM
I just backed Toe Beans Magical Cat Cafe: A Supplement for Daggerheart on @kickstarter.com www.kickstarter.com/projects/fis...
@boldwoodbooks.bsky.social I've just tried to submit my novel to the email address you gave, but have got an automatic reply saying to sub via the website. That says you're not open and I'm very confused!
February 2, 2026 at 11:42 AM
@boldwoodbooks.bsky.social I've just tried to submit my novel to the email address you gave, but have got an automatic reply saying to sub via the website. That says you're not open and I'm very confused!
#Febchantment Day 2
My magic system is definitely soft, and that's usual for all my books dealing with it. Even my PNR, where there IS hard magic, my prose softens it so it's background noise.
I know the rules, but I let the story be coloured by them, rather than stating them on the page.
My magic system is definitely soft, and that's usual for all my books dealing with it. Even my PNR, where there IS hard magic, my prose softens it so it's background noise.
I know the rules, but I let the story be coloured by them, rather than stating them on the page.
#Febchantment Day 2
Do you have a "hard" or "soft" magic system?
In other words, does your magic system have strictly defined rules (think: Brandon Sanderson's books)? Or is it more undefined, mostly vibes/rule of cool (think: Gandalf from LOTR)? Somewhere in between?
#writingcommunity #writesky
Do you have a "hard" or "soft" magic system?
In other words, does your magic system have strictly defined rules (think: Brandon Sanderson's books)? Or is it more undefined, mostly vibes/rule of cool (think: Gandalf from LOTR)? Somewhere in between?
#writingcommunity #writesky
February 2, 2026 at 8:38 AM
#Febchantment Day 2
My magic system is definitely soft, and that's usual for all my books dealing with it. Even my PNR, where there IS hard magic, my prose softens it so it's background noise.
I know the rules, but I let the story be coloured by them, rather than stating them on the page.
My magic system is definitely soft, and that's usual for all my books dealing with it. Even my PNR, where there IS hard magic, my prose softens it so it's background noise.
I know the rules, but I let the story be coloured by them, rather than stating them on the page.