Bob Johnston

Front cover of Sabriel by Garth Nix. The title and author's name are in ochre letters over a white background. A fiery symbol resembling a T over an O is in the middle. At the bottom is a rocky landscape with a lone figure.

Echoing the calls for any of Alastair Chisholm's works, likewise Jonathan Stroud's (especially The Outlaws Scarlett & Browne). But it's Garth Nix's Sabriel/Old Kingdom series I have waited the longest to see adapted.
#KidsBooksFriday #UKKidLit #KidLitUK #KidLit

Ok. Is there an option to make them look sad at the dairy rather than smiley? (I tried to amend the pic but it looked like it had a Mexican moustache instead...)

Does it explode in confusion at things like Salt & Vinegar Crisps which have zero need to include dairy but often do just for larks?.. #BitterVeganThings

In defence of hand-wringers and pearl-clutchers To surrender the fight for international law is to accept worse outcomes and more civilian deaths

This is very good from @robertshrimsley.bsky.social

Advert for a children's book with text "when you were four, I was two, remember the things that you showed me to do".

Photo of Bob as a baby (18 months?) He's in red dungarees with a talcum bottle. You can see his brother's foot sliding in to poke him in the arse.

Saw this advert for a cute 'siblings' picture book and my immediate response was "hit myself in the face with my own hands" & "learn to breathe when you sat on my head". Here is an early example of him kicking me in the arse... #Siblings

How I feel when someone blocks me

So... In preparation for my next Podcast, let me ask you a question.

Before, on a previous show, I asked, "Why do we write?"

So now I ask, "Why DON'T we write, or what KEEPS you from writing?"

Not just you, but also in general. What to you think keeps people who have stories from trying?

Selfie of Bob & Obie, a black german shepherd.

Needless to say, he's no longer sad... #Obie

Screenshot from Dogs Angels Ireland of a very sad Black German Shepherd with text 'This boy needs help'

Yes, I fell for the eyes too - powerless! #Obie (NB his rescue name was actually Sooty but the social media person misheard)

Photograph of the Double Marble Loaf Cake from Chocolate Baking: the Ultimate Guide to Cakes, Cookies, Desserts and Pastries by Edd Kimber

Photograph of Chocolate Baking: the Ultimate Guide to Cakes, Cookies, Desserts and Pastries by Edd Kimber

Chocolate Baking: the Ultimate Guide to Cakes, Cookies, Desserts and Pastries by Edd Kimber @theboywhobakes.bsky.social is the star of this week’s #CookbookCorner! And you can read more about it and get his recipe for Double Marble Loaf Cake right here:
www.nigella.com/cookbook-cor...

In vegan sympathy I often eat a whole bag of those 'frazzle knock-offs' from Tesco, which are accidentally vegan, & they repeat on me for days but that doesn't stop me because Frazzles.

Photo of Leon, Bob's husband, as a scarecrow with straw stuffed inside an old jumper & trousers.

Wanted to send my teacher husband in as 'The Driver' but he thought it was a bit gimp-y... (He actually went as The Scarecrow because one of his shy kids really wanted to go as Tin Man but was a bit scared - the kid had the best day apparently but Leon had to hoover the whole school due to straw...)

Brokeback Mountain.

henlo

Finally bringing Weird Book Wednesday over to Bluesky!

This Weird Book Wednesday Josh shares a classic weird book with a perfect image for the novel as an art form

#weirdbooks #bookrecommendations #geeklove #indiebooksellers

This bit of Name That Tune used to crack me up, it sent the cheeseometer off the scale.

Oh well, have some red red wine, that might help.

therapist: it’s just a poem it can’t hurt you

the poem:

I remember the lead up to the 2nd Gulf war very well indeed.

All the WMD stuff and the "if we don't stop them now they'll nuke us" lies.

It was absolute bollocks and obviously so, and this repeat version of it being pushed by pro Trump pro war factions is dangerous, fanciful nonsense.

Oh I had so many of these! Belly 'Star' or Throwing Muses 'Red Heaven' for me - still play both regularly now! I'd forgotten all about the 'No Alternative' album!

a collection of audio cassette tapes

What are you playing first on your boombox?

NB I think mine is a possible side-effect of my antidepressants but I can't stop taking those so... I did find showering in the morning rather than at night helped a bit but general advice seems to counter that.

a man and a woman are dancing on a yellow brick road in the wizard of oz movie . Alt: The scarecrow and Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz are dancing on a yellow brick road.

Hey peeps who live in my phone, une question pour vous.

What is your cure for restless leg syndrome (other than cutting them off, something I've contemplated)?

Thanks #SpeirGhorm

Sorry I have no solutions but I feel your pain - literally - sometimes a really heavy blanket & making myself overheat until I'm sweating helps but that's hardly a cure! I think eating lots of leafy greens is supposed to help but God knows why...

The amount of events and festivals around the country using genAI for their promotional images is slightly maddening. All about supporting local, except their local artists.

Do you have to post your 5-star Google review before you're cremated (what if it ends up only being a 4-star cremation?) or do you mention it in your will for a family member to do afterwards? Maybe there's one of those 'how was your experience today?' machines in the cremation thing?

Ugh, forced sales never worked & I was supposed to encourage my staff to do it & never did. Just said it in team meetings in a bland voice. It didn't work. It's a terrible way of bookselling. Your enjoyable bit was the right way! Listen & respond. Ask what they like & say why they might like yours!

People will buy things if they like YOU. People want you to succeed. They may buy the book from real interest or possibly pity but hey, a sale's a sale! I was also rubbish at 'add-on till purchases' and I was a W manager. Good luck! Bx

One thing I learned as a bookseller - never try to sell... Talk to people, have chats, listen. People are naturally inquisitive. They'll ask. Have a short summary/blurb in your head that you've used before - people are quite sheepy so 'someone said they liked it because the plot rattled along' etc.