Took my family on a proper summer holiday, decided it was time to finally read the quintessential summer book. Book: Sort Of Books Drink: Turia Cerveza
Lindsey Ford
@lindseyford.bsky.social
Spanish translator. Book in one hand, drink in the other. She/her. http://www.lindseyfordtranslation.com/
If there’s one thing I’m known for, it’s choosing the most feel-good, lighthearted, low-effort poolside read. The first volume of Queen Jan Morris’s British Empire trilogy. Book: @faberbooks.bsky.social Drink: Aperol Spritz 🏳️⚧️
Inhaled this novel in practically one sitting. A razor sharp portrayal of a particular generation, one that occasionally hit way to close to home as a Millennial with an ever-precarious freelance career… Book: @fitzcarraldoeds.bsky.social Drink: Ruinart R
@rosamontero.es untangles the relationship between drugs and alcohol and making art.
Are Writers Intrinsically Vulnerable to Alcohol and Drugs?
The history of art in general, and literature in particular, is full of alcoholics, opium addicts, cocaine users, and junkies of all sorts. And the process is always the same: the chemical muse kil…
buff.ly
Multigenerational family saga? The history of a country told through a personal lens? Immigrant identity? Messy complex female characters? This book ticks ALL my boxes. Book: @4thestatebooks.bsky.social Drink: Sumac’garita from Sumac HK
It’s 5 o’clock somewhere... “Are Writers Intrinsically Vulnerable to Alcohol and Drugs?” In THE DANGER TO BE SANE, Rosa Montero explores this (and many other) age-old question. Read the excerpt in @literaryhub.bsky.social: lithub.com/tag/the-dang... Translated by Lindsey Ford.
Westminster MPs have until the end of the month to reject the proposed anti-trans guidance. If you haven’t written to your MP yet, here’s a good template for you to use. writetheletter.bimini.workers.dev
Write the Letter, Babes
EDM 240 / prayer motion is live. Your MP needs to sign it. Two taps via the coalition tool.
writetheletter.bimini.workers.dev
Happy Pride Month! I recently finished Eva Baltasar’s gorgeous triptych about desire, queer identity and motherhood. Adored this one, but Boulder remains my favourite. Book: @andotherstories.bsky.social Drink: Cristal 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Today is the day to sing the praises of Rosa Montero’s glimmering American debut, THE DANGER TO BE SANE! 🌸 In an intimate blend of memoir and history, Montero expertly draws on psychology and literature to explore the connection between creativity and mental vulnerability.
Working on this book was an incredible experience (not least because it exactly coincided with my second pregnancy), and it taught me so much about my own mental health. Rosa is one of Spain's most intelligent, warm and witty writers, and I'm so thrilled that more people get to experience her work.
Today's very special post comes straight from my desk, where this book was made. Several years ago I met the brilliant Rosa Montero at the FCC in Hong Kong. I plied her with wine and told her I wanted to translate her books one day. 8 years later, here we are.
Out today in the UK (!), and available for pre-order in the US. Book: @europaeditions.bsky.social Drink: Love Story Prosecco Rosé Brut
Rosa Montero's THE DANGER TO BE SANE is one of The New York Times' most anticipated books of May! Montero's US debut blends memoir, essay, and cultural criticism to investigate the connection between literary creativity and mental vulnerability. Out on May 19! www.nytimes.com/2026/04/29/b...
Out today in the UK (!), and available for pre-order in the US. Book: @europaeditions.bsky.social Drink: Love Story Prosecco Rosé Brut
Today's very special post comes straight from my desk, where this book was made. Several years ago I met the brilliant Rosa Montero at the FCC in Hong Kong. I plied her with wine and told her I wanted to translate her books one day. 8 years later, here we are.
Saved this to savour on the 12hr flight home from London (photo taken at Heathrow departures, geddit?) If this is his final book it is a perfect ending, reflecting on his lifelong themes of memory, the blurring of fact and fiction, and the stories we tell ourselves. There’s no other writer like him.
A great thing about London Book Fair is getting your mitts on some free advance copies. A great thing about London is lamb chops with old friends at Tayyabs. Bonus cameo from my fave Japanese translator. Book: @andotherstories.bsky.social Drink: San Miguel supplied by @wrongsreversed.bsky.social
Only one book to be reading on the flight to London Book Fair. Looking forward to scouring Olympia for free drinks with my fellow broke translators. Book: @prototypepubs.bsky.social Drink: Tanqueray & Fever Tree G&T
A bit more masc and a bit more brutalist than I usually go for, but Nichola Smalley’s work on this translation is 🔥Book: @andotherstories.bsky.social Drink: Backward from Swim Club (superb new bar in HK)
I put off reading this for ages because, frankly, it seemed way too heavy, but now I can’t believe I waited so long to savour this incredible book. Bold and inventive and gorgeously written, I’m in love. Book: @serpents-tail.bsky.social Drink: Edouard Duval Brut d'Eulalie
always so funny to me when people are like “how am I supposed to explain Gay to my kids?” my kid asks me way harder shit all the time. “why did they build the road this way? why are some people bad?” I don’t know. please ask me about Gay
I don’t often reread books (the TBR pile is bad enough as it is) but had to make an exception before seeing the movie. It hits VERY differently after becoming a mother. Book: @charcopress.com Drink: Vinos de la Luz 2020 Cinema Ribera Del Duero
Julian Barnes, imo, is one of the most intelligent, thoughtful and, frankly, under appreciated writers England has ever had. As I wait for his last (!) book to arrive, here’s his typically brilliant essay from last year. Book: @nottinghilleds.bsky.social Drink: 2024 Honeycomb Chardonnay
It’s been a while since I last read a graphic novel, and I forgot how powerful the format can be. An incredible blend of storytelling and imagery, the personal and the political , history and the present - I’m blown away. Book: MCD/ @picadorbooks.bsky.social Drink: Bollinger
Before we get too far into the new year, here's my list of 5 star reads of 2025! I read much less this past year (new baby sapped time, energy, brain power) but still managed to fit some bangers in there.
Went to Singapore for the first time, found @jeremytiang.bsky.social in a bookshop, had to buy it. A brilliant introduction to the country’s history told in my favourite way: a juicy family saga. Book: Epigram Drink: Pepino from QT Singapore
Catching up on some of this year’s faves before my Best of 2025 list. I went into this one blind and loved it - so twisty and turny and meta, it made me want to reread it the instant I reached the last page. Book: Merky Books. Drink: some green cocktail I can’t remember the name of from Da Nang
