Prudence and the Crow

!!!

just saying here that while it should not make a difference, diane was incredibly kind to me as a little 19 year old idiot at a convention and i have never forgotten. please help her out if you can

This! I've been reading to Crow every night for coming up eight years, and even if it's been the hardest day, a few paragraphs are still a little moment of shared peace.

and how! Thank you so kindly 😍❤️

It’s so common to come across the assertion that books were luxury objects exclusively for the elite in the Middle Ages that I want to guest curate a massive exhibition called “Meh-nuscripts: Books for the Many,” which features just workaday or unremarkable objects.

A copy of the film tie-in edition of Wuthering Heights open on a white duvet and red blanket

Oh, go on then (I have at least five copies of this, including my grandmother's beautiful little 1930's one, but I figured I could read this one in the bath...) 💙📚

One of my most transformative reading experiences was picking up Jane Eyre at the age of 30 having found it too dull to even start at 13, and to be so gripped two pages in that I didn't put it down until it was done. Incredibly cheering to find how much I can change as a reader.

About ten years' ago Crow did a Wuthering Heights envelope for the #patcbox and there's a shot in the film that was absolutely that etching, a joy to see. We both LOVED the film, incidentally, much to my surprise.

Given that Wuthering Heights has, since the very start of our #patcbox been the most divisive book amongst our subscribers (equally favourite and least-favourite in questionnaires), it only seems fair that any film adaptation should spark the same strong feelings...

In today's interior decor this woman bought books by colour to shelve "as an accent" and she doesn't even know what they are and all relationships with books are valid of course but

I just don't think generally that you should take books into the sauna?

Both just cheered loudly at the sight of @mrbsemporium.bsky.social on last night's Apprentice, best of bookshops 💙📚

Such a forever favourite - revisited with the extremely well-read audiobooks a couple of years' ago and might do so again, there's so much to them. I remember reading them when I was little, and thinking so many thoughts: I have just as many now. Still never got to the TV series, though I do own it

Should Galadriel have taken the Ring? — Speculative Insight The Fourth Age under the dominion of men isn’t going too well, is it? Did the free peoples of Middle-earth really combine to overthrow Sauron so that the world would be delivered on a plate to the lik...

My essay 'Should Galadriel have taken the Ring?' has been nominated for the #BSFA Award for Best Short Non Fiction and @speculativeinsight.bsky.social have very kindly made it free to read for the voting period. So please read to find out about the significance of #Galadriel being the Fairy Queen.

The Girl from Jupiter, by Isaac Clarke

Shelly and the Secret Universe - Nan Chapin

Disappearance of the 6th Grade - Burris & Burris

The Return of Auntie Lorraine - Miriam Weaver

If, like us, you have long-loved the book covers and illustration in the films of Wes Anderson, might I so highly recommend the exhibition at London's Design Museum: Crow and I had a wonderful time seeing these and many more up close! (Not to mention all the glorious costumes...) 💙📚

what a glorious morning read this is

Seconded

might grab Tillie Walden's Spinning down off the shelf again this afternoon, what a joy x

in need of some fresh overnight listening for 2026, I've just treated myself to a collection of Dickens' non-fiction, which clocks EIGHTY-SIX HOURS. A Christmas Carol aside, I've not really got on with his fiction but suspect I'll enjoy his verbosity more irl.

STUDIES OF TREES IN WINTER ANNIE OAKES HUNTINGTON Lilac cover, black lettering Central panel illustration of two trees laden with snow and brick wall and gate.

Book Cover of the Day:

My main goal for 2026 is to make a reading space where, when I have a few minutes, I can just drop into it, pick up a book and read a few pages. I've not had this in years, and I think it's the main reason I end up scrolling. I hope for much more page-turning instead, but need to make it easy.

My main goal for 2026 is to make a reading space where, when I have a few minutes, I can just drop into it, pick up a book and read a few pages. I've not had this in years, and I think it's the main reason I end up scrolling. I hope for much more page-turning instead, but need to make it easy.

Mark Z. Danielewski's latest, Tom's Crossing, which I am very, very much enjoying. I might have to wait until I've finished it to pick a favourite for the year, though, just in case!

Lying in bed in the sunshine reading, with a full pint of tea, a proper 'twixtmas Saturday afternoon <3

'I drank coffee and read old books and waited for the year to end.'

Richard Brautigan, Trout Fishing in America.

Every book I've read this year has been one I first heard of on Bluesky and borrowed through Libby. Some were recommended by their own authors; others were raved about by readers. I love this aspect of social media.

It's the final day of #patcadvent 2025: Judith Kerr's marvellous Mog. Mog's Christmas, to be precise, from 1976.

We hope you enjoyed this year's advent. That's it from us for 2025. It's time for us to take our long winter's nap. Wishing you the warmest of Yuletide wishes and onwards to 2026!

Tom's Crossing by Mark Z. Danielewski, a huge grey hardback American edition

Fortum & Mason's Christmas Chocolates in a fancy little box and a pint of peppermint tea

Merry Jólabókaflóðið to all who celebrate! My present from Crow is one I've been so excited to read, and it's vast! #christmaseveeve #newbooks

Day twenty-three of the Prudence and the Crow advent is The Tomten written by Viktor Rydberg in 1881 and turned into prose by Astrid Lindgren in 1961, illustrated by Kitty Crowther.

It's Day 22 of #patcadvent. A merry Winter Solstice to you! Today we celebrate the shortest day of the year with Karin Celestine's The Lightbringers. Prudence gave me this beautiful book a few years ago which follows little creatures in their quest to return the light. #needlefelting