Jonathan was brilliant, an old mate and a lovely bookseller. Such a funny, clever, kind guy, I’ll really miss him xx
Social historian of modern places. Wrote Concretopia and Iconicon. Next book on suburban LGBTQ history out March 2026. Also, maps. Disappointingly unserious. New podcast: Monstrosities Mon Amour https://linktr.ee/johngrindrod
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Jonathan was brilliant, an old mate and a lovely bookseller. Such a funny, clever, kind guy, I’ll really miss him xx
In September, the audiobook of All the Wide Border: Wales, England and the Places Between is on Audible for £3.99. “A brilliant, fascinating book…funny and lyrical” said comedian Miles Jupp. And it’s read by me too, finally getting some use out my drama degree! 👇🏼 www.audible.co.uk/pd/All-the-W...
That old excuse
Remains an extraordinary thing too, doesn’t it?
More universe-changing stories should take place in lay-bys
I think you’re right. The boy would be played by Peter Bowles
Ah, so that’s how they transport rugby goal posts
Horrible news from the brilliant Bookseller Crow in Crystal Palace. Good to see people have been buying books to support them. Much love to Jon, and to Justine and Karen xx
All that late Victorian folksiness infusing it
Parka run…
It’s the new parkrun
Yeah, it’s hard wired to do that, isn’t it? Wistful regrets and falling leaves…
I need to go for a run. But also, duvet
A writer has died who had a massive influence over my imagination as a 10-year-old. Christopher H Bidmead took silly stuff seriously and serious stuff lightly, and I know that all of the melancholia and non-place stuff in Logopolis definitely wired my head
Ah, I really loved his stuff, that season in particular was exceptional and really had a huge influence on my imagination
13, according to Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_M...
One of my absolute faves
She was incredible!
Even the memorial is a rocket
Big red car: tick!
Off to see Jane Weaver tonight!
Shocking. The boy should have left his at home really
Lovely
Oh yes! Mantovani for the holidays
Light classical on the tape player
Got a slight air of The Prisoner about it
Found this postcard of Rottingdean in a second hand book I bought
Unheard lyric from Justin Hayward’s ‘Forever Autumn’
The ice cream shop has changed the a-frame sign outside to ‘Best hot chocolate’
Unmuted ‘Trump’ just in case.
And my last guest so far was author @grindrod.bsky.social where we talked about being a solitary fan, an early convention and rediscovering Doctor Who as an adult. h
Monstrosities Mon Amour is on a summer break, but will be back soon. In the meantime I can’t believe there’s already nine episodes! What a lot of cheery chat about unloved things johngrindrod.substack.com/podcast
‘Can't fight corruption with con tricks, They use the law to commit crime, And I dread, dread to think what the future'll bring, When we’re living in gangster times’ Gangsters by the Specials feels very now, doesn’t it?
But also, not long enough to get all the August things done I needed it to be
One of those weeks that was supposed to be short but instead felt like a thousand years in a hall of mirrors reflecting Wednesdays forever
Absolutely furious.
Even in his hi vis he is way too modish for me.
I’m in hi vis x
Yay! @regretteruane.bsky.social and I are very proud
No higher praise!
Rain on the skylight, a sound I’d almost forgotten
Thanks so much to all my guests so far: Mike Althorpe, @helenbarrett.bsky.social, @philipdowner.bsky.social, @angelabarnes.bsky.social, @garetherees.bsky.social, @regretteruane.bsky.social, Travis Elborough, Catherine Croft and @danthompson33.bsky.social, delightful kidnappers all
#TodayInQueerHistory August 28 (1982) The very first Gay Games were held in San Francisco. Tina Turner performed at the opening ceremony. 1350 competitors took part from all over the 🌍. It was originally called The Gay Olympics before the IOC forced a name change.
Ha! Perfect timing all round!
Monstrosities Mon Amour is on a summer break, but will be back soon. In the meantime I can’t believe there’s already nine episodes! What a lot of cheery chat about unloved things johngrindrod.substack.com/podcast
They're ridiculous fun, like growing kittens on sticks. They're called teddy bear sunflowers.
No! Other than sunflower seeds, obvs...
They are excellent. Also: silly
They are!
The sunflowers say hi
I mean, who can fathom the ways of Thameslink?
Just received this email from Thameslink. Have decided to end the summer like Bob Holness playing the sax on Baker Street
Yeah, sounds like a plan!
Well that sounds more effective than my old council
Yeah it’s not great is it?
Taps nose...
Now I don't know which to read first!
Yeah, I'm not sure how that works, a whole other world!
Incredibly exciting post has arrived @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social
Quite. And the local authority has no cash and doesn't know what to do...
Here's some rules for a system that won't work, now just do whatever.
Crikey, that's handy!
Ah yes! Lovely to spot them nestling amongst the bric a brac
A weekend of book edits, DIY and movies. Such a grown-up
Materialists absolutely hit the spot. Loved Dakota Johnson’s almost slo-mo performance
Loved being a guest on Si’s smashing Doctor Who podcast
🍦 Happy Bank Holiday Monday! To put you in the mood, here’s a compilation of classic 20th century ice cream van chimes, with all the favourites from ‘O Sole Mio to the Match of the Day theme. Lick the last of the summer, and make ours a 99 with sprinkles and a flake. m.youtube.com/watch?v=htAM...
I recently wrote a piece about Nathan Barley, which ended up being more about Galton and Simpson's film The Rebel. One aspect of the film - the art itself - particularly intrigued me... worldoftelly.beehiiv.com/p/nathan-bar...
It's time for a trip to The Library of Impossible Things. This week I'm joined by the marvellous @grindrod.bsky.social for a chat about K9, about being a fan as an adult and how we should all embrace the things we love. But what object will he bring to The Library? Take a listen now!
It was so lovely to do, it was like therapy and a great night down the pub
Loved being a guest on Si’s smashing Doctor Who podcast
Do all Wikipedia pages have this?
Will do!
Ooh! Ta!
Thanks sir!
Just phoning the police…
We should definitely do a joint event!
Thank you Adam! The interviewees have been a dream!
Thank you Matt! So does your new one!
Thank you Amy!
Oh lamb, your help has been phenomenal x
Page proofs are in for me to check. Tales of the Suburbs will be out in March!
That’s true. It seems high but not mad…
Yeah am fine, was a bit of a shock though
Crikey that’s a LONG time since I last had a hypo. Just thought I was wearing too many layers
The Howard’s Way dream
Interesting seeing how Amansa Way in Lymington references nearby Buckler’s Hard
@regretteruane.bsky.social It’s our Argos catalogue…
Important work
New Forest donkey says hi.
1946 A Matter of Life and Death movie tie-in. A novelisation of the script and behind the scenes notes. More than usual amount of publicity photos, including behind the scenes and production sketches. No idea it existed. Delighted to find this at my local bookshop in Wimborne, The Black Pug.
Oh yes that’s a glorious bit. Loving these restored prints
Absolutely glorious!
Looking forward to At Bertram’s Hotel this evening, particularly Caroline Blakiston laughing hysterically at a jam doughnut for four minutes
Tamarins are ace
People of Earth! If you happen to be in Liverpool today,I am performing a 2 hour improvised ambient set at Victoria Gallery and Museum. Free,all welcome. vgm.liverpool.ac.uk/whats-on/eve...
Whenever my blood sugar sensor tells me my glucose is in range I expect spaceships to fire at it
Always on the lookout for Guys, etc
Crikey, London Bridge is so Blade Runner these days...
Oooh! Fascinating those on Wellesley Road not there now, and those not yet built when this was sent…