Lucinda Preston
@lucindapreston.bsky.social
Mum; works in HR; former teacher who is still interested in education. I love literature, history, art and music. Passionate about preserving beautiful architecture. I write The Reading Window. Views own. substack.com/@lucindapreston
"Painted in 1851, Ophelia's fame is a story of fashion and feminism. And, as James discovers, the unlikely combination of Shakespeare, Ken Russell, Elizabeth Siddal, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Taylor Swift and the most famous bath-tub in the history of art." #Millais Enjoy! www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Artworks - Art That Conquered the World - Ophelia - BBC Sounds
James Fox asks how John Everett Millais's Ophelia became so famous.
bbc.co.uk
A difficult read though it builds on a lot we already know about the decline of reading. As @carlhendrick.substack.com notes elsewhere, it’s not just children who are reading less. Though adults sometimes do have less time for reading, hence my passion for short stories and poems alongside novels.
The Atlantic@theatlantic.com · 4w agoThe advent of reading transformed society, and its decline will bring about changes of the same magnitude, @rosehorowitch.bsky.social writes. Can America—and civilization—survive the postliterate era?
A sweeping new study has found that daily reading for pleasure in the United States has declined by more than 40% over the last 20 years — raising urgent questions about the cultural, educational and health consequences of a nation reading less. news.ufl.edu/2025/08/read...
Reading for pleasure in free fall: New study finds 40% drop over two decades
Daily reading for pleasure in the U.S. dropped by more than 40% over the last 20 years
news.ufl.edu
@c20society.bsky.social A non-lit post tonight. I asked for conditions at Planning Com tonight so that the exterior of this building could be retained. I wasn’t objecting to change of use. Sadly, no conditions laid down for retention. Little protection for mid-century mod buildings. Heartbreaking.
It’s no longer June but another shout out for this. #booksky #books #literature
Lucinda Preston@lucindapreston.bsky.social · last mo.My second Substack post is live. Short on time? Look at these suggestions for short reafs for busy people. The poem is one of my all time favourites! substack.com/@lucindapres...
I’m currently reading my son The Hobbit - our copy has a reproduction of this first edition illustration on its front cover. I love it www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
First edition of The Hobbit donated to Birmingham Oxfam sells for £38k
Oxfam staff say the first edition came in alongside a collection of "otherwise unremarkable" books.
bbc.co.uk
I absolutely love this picture. The contrast between the flowers and the dark sky is stunning.
Helen Day@lbflyawayhome.bsky.social · last mo.Summer storm Artist: CF Tunnicliffe (What to Look for in Summer, 1960)
"Hiring of college grads is down across the board. But certain majors are able to access opportunities in a wider array of industries, new LinkedIn data shows." ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH 69% VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS 68% www.forbes.com/sites/courtn...
English graduates everywhere are excited that the potential future prime minister is an English Literature graduate…
My second Substack post is live. Short on time? Look at these suggestions for short reafs for busy people. The poem is one of my all time favourites! substack.com/@lucindapres...
Flaming June
'Adlestrop' by Edward Thomas; The Croquet Player by HG Wells.
substack.com
Incredible sad. University changed my life in so many ways.
Glen O'Hara@gsoh31.bsky.social · last mo.It's much too late now to save large parts of Higher Education, but there's lots that can still be done if we stop and pause this madness. Otherwise most HE will just be concentrated in SE England at Oxbridge, LSE, Imperial, Kings and a few others. www.timeshighereducation.com/news/univers...
The only good thing about this awful heat wave is occasionally wonderful parch marks appear. I just love this Historic England photo of Corbridge Roman Town with the intersection of Dere Street and the Stanegate clearly visible in the field immediately West of the museum.
“Do you always look for the longest day and then miss it?” says Daisy Buchanan in ‘The Great Gatsby’. Well today is the longest day and you haven’t missed it. Happy Midsummer. #midsummer #booklit #thegreatgatsby
The Great Gatsby
ALT: The Great Gatsby
static.klipy.com
Midsummer sun still present. The light remains, even after 9pm. Ellis Windmill, Lincoln.
The Common Blue, Small Copper, Large Skipper ‘Butterflies and Moths’ (1965) Artist: John Leigh-Pemberton
Two rather lovely postcards here of the Post Office Tower (the correct description for the age of the cards!) by night:
I just love how these telephone boxes are being repurposed.
Amanda@amandadudman.bsky.social · 2mo agoThis is such a lovely little spot in my village. The old red Telephone Box has been re-purposed as a book swap. The village community hall also hosts a book swap and cafe once a month. 😊
