This was the Christmas ghost story that led me to search out more. I loved it! A strong, eerie start. The abbey scenes and everything that followed were delightfully unnerving. Hard to believe it is 20 years old!

The Safekeep is possibly my favourite read this year so far. I will read it again in the future. I will be purchasing my own copy to keep on my bookcase.

The Safekeep is the most beautiful prose I have read in a long time. The beauty of the sentences caught my breath. I found myself having a strong sense of empathy with the characters. It was enlightening and as with the other two books, I have learned things from it that stay with me beyond the book

Ootlin took the longest to read as I had to pause and think about what I had just read. It is hard to describe; an affecting read.
The Two Roberts is a very Scottish novel which I appreciated. I learned new things from it and was able to visual these characters and the world they lived in.

We are spoiled with the return of the podcast. The Underwater Menace was, as expected, researched and crafted while still being relaxed and entertaining. The content is a step above other podcasts. The extra editions (The Cutaways?) are equally superb. Great to have it/you back Tim!

Happiest of birthdays to you, wonderful Katy.

I watched The Lost Language of Cranes in UHD this summer via iPlayer. I don’t think anything gets made like this anymore. The skill and artistry in every aspect of the production is something that feels lost these days.
Wish I’d caught it when I was a teen on the 90s.

I hadn’t thought about how reactions to this episode may shift because of SNW. I last watched TOS during the first lockdown and I think we had met Pike in Discovery at that point but hadn’t seen enough to make connections back. Your post makes me curious to rewatch The Menagerie.

Exciting times to have the Podcast back & now this! Always appreciate Tim’s enthusiastic yet measured approach. Lots of patience will be required for the immediate future...

Additionally, wonderful to see @filmisfabulous.bsky.social receive charitable status. Exciting times there too!

I had read The Bell Jar 25 years ago but it felt just as fresh. Reading it at this stage in my life made me think about aspects that didn’t register when I was younger. Glad I revisited it.

Arrived yesterday. Very curious about it. Had never heard of it until the pre-order for the Blu-ray went live.

This is such a happy post to read. My stomach dropped for you when I read your post the other day. A reminder in times that are feeling him increasingly desperate, there are good people who do the right thing because it is the right thing to do.

I have always enjoyed Scarlett Thomas’ writing and this was no different. I always feel provoked to think, and that my thinking is challenged by her novels.

I am on the same reading path! A Quiet Place is up next after I finish Scarlett Thomas’ The Sleepwalkers.

You’re very welcome. I only discovered Penda’s Fen this summer and couldn’t stop thinking about it after seeing it. I wish I’d found it when I was a teenager in the 90s. However, discovering it this year meant I got to read your book so soon after viewing which has enhanced my overall experience.

In complete agreement. Discovered it earlier this summer and it was a real bright spot for me. So looking forward to season 3.