Dr Finklestein
@drfinklestein.bsky.social
Literacy and literature education expert NPQLL. Oxbridge preparation tutor and Cambridge graduate. History lover. Member of the Guardian reading wokerati
Reposted by Dr Finklestein
‘I owe Iron Maiden my English A-level!’ The great literature our writers discovered through pop music
‘I owe Iron Maiden my English A-level!’ The great literature our writers discovered through pop music
Ahead of World Book Day on Thursday, Guardian music writers pick out the musicians whose literary references illuminated them – from Adam Ant on Joe Orton to the National on Grace Paley
www.theguardian.com
March 4, 2026 at 2:08 PM
‘I owe Iron Maiden my English A-level!’ The great literature our writers discovered through pop music
Reposted by Dr Finklestein
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
February 5, 2026 at 11:50 AM
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
Reposted by Dr Finklestein
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
youtu.be
January 28, 2026 at 5:02 PM
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
Reposted by Dr Finklestein
Mamdani: "New York will remain a city of immigrants, a city built by immigrants, powered by immigrants, and as of tonight, led by an immigrant."
November 5, 2025 at 4:40 AM
Mamdani: "New York will remain a city of immigrants, a city built by immigrants, powered by immigrants, and as of tonight, led by an immigrant."
Reposted by Dr Finklestein
June 17, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Reposted by Dr Finklestein
Just in case anyone needs a ChatGPT fix while it’s down:
28 + 46 =7,436,189
Jane Austen is the capital of Guatemala
The largest bird in the world is Colin Cowdrey’s pet cockapoo, Beatrice
28 + 46 =7,436,189
Jane Austen is the capital of Guatemala
The largest bird in the world is Colin Cowdrey’s pet cockapoo, Beatrice
June 10, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Just in case anyone needs a ChatGPT fix while it’s down:
28 + 46 =7,436,189
Jane Austen is the capital of Guatemala
The largest bird in the world is Colin Cowdrey’s pet cockapoo, Beatrice
28 + 46 =7,436,189
Jane Austen is the capital of Guatemala
The largest bird in the world is Colin Cowdrey’s pet cockapoo, Beatrice
Reposted by Dr Finklestein
We're celebrating, as ever, the start of Super Bowl 2025 with this Superb Owl.
🦉
🦉
February 9, 2025 at 9:20 AM
We're celebrating, as ever, the start of Super Bowl 2025 with this Superb Owl.
🦉
🦉
Reposted by Dr Finklestein
PITCH: An updated version of the curse of Cassandra where she's describing things that are happening now, in front of everyone, but still isn't believed.
February 5, 2025 at 12:41 AM
PITCH: An updated version of the curse of Cassandra where she's describing things that are happening now, in front of everyone, but still isn't believed.
Reposted by Dr Finklestein
Quick emergency pod on what's happening out there. A US administration basically just ticking off the checklist you'd find in any book on fascism and a broadcast media which seems intent on normalising it.
🚨New episode out🚨 Can we call it fascism yet? @dorianlynskey.bsky.social and @iandunt.bsky.social respond to the disturbing displays at Trump's inauguration and the many similarities with fascist parties of the past.
Listen ⬇️
linktr.ee/originstoryp...
Listen ⬇️
linktr.ee/originstoryp...
January 21, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Quick emergency pod on what's happening out there. A US administration basically just ticking off the checklist you'd find in any book on fascism and a broadcast media which seems intent on normalising it.
Reposted by Dr Finklestein
things we talk about:
-medieval peasant recipes!
-anglo saxon poetry!
-snowball fights!
-the storied history of the snowman!
it’s really good and @aran.bsky.social did an amazing job editing the amazing intro so goooo listen!
-medieval peasant recipes!
-anglo saxon poetry!
-snowball fights!
-the storied history of the snowman!
it’s really good and @aran.bsky.social did an amazing job editing the amazing intro so goooo listen!
December 24, 2024 at 8:22 AM
things we talk about:
-medieval peasant recipes!
-anglo saxon poetry!
-snowball fights!
-the storied history of the snowman!
it’s really good and @aran.bsky.social did an amazing job editing the amazing intro so goooo listen!
-medieval peasant recipes!
-anglo saxon poetry!
-snowball fights!
-the storied history of the snowman!
it’s really good and @aran.bsky.social did an amazing job editing the amazing intro so goooo listen!
Reposted by Dr Finklestein
It's been Quite A Month so I forgot that I'd recorded something for this and was quite surprised when I popped up discussing Christie at Christmas! Lots more in the new @christietime.bsky.social 🎄 Christmas Special 🎄, which (🤫) is one of our favourite eps. Don't tell the others x #AgathaChristie
Matt and Sophie have been getting in the seasonal spirit over at Greenway House, recording a very special episode of the Agatha Christie in Devon podcast. This will be available in the next few days.
You can listen to the previous 10 episodes via the link:
www.iacf-uk.org/projects/aga...
You can listen to the previous 10 episodes via the link:
www.iacf-uk.org/projects/aga...
December 24, 2024 at 10:21 AM
It's been Quite A Month so I forgot that I'd recorded something for this and was quite surprised when I popped up discussing Christie at Christmas! Lots more in the new @christietime.bsky.social 🎄 Christmas Special 🎄, which (🤫) is one of our favourite eps. Don't tell the others x #AgathaChristie
Reposted by Dr Finklestein
A Christmas gift from me to my fellow word nerds:
Nine Christmas-related words with interesting etymologies, one for each of the nine letters of 'Christmas'!
It was written with much linguistic love in an armchair beside a roaring fire.
dannybate.com/2024/12/23/a...
Nine Christmas-related words with interesting etymologies, one for each of the nine letters of 'Christmas'!
It was written with much linguistic love in an armchair beside a roaring fire.
dannybate.com/2024/12/23/a...
A CHRISTMAS Full of Etymology
Reading time: 5 minutes It’s December now, the month when the calendar helpfully provides me with a topic for the monthly article. So, here’s a short and sweet linguistic post with a fe…
dannybate.com
December 23, 2024 at 7:42 PM
A Christmas gift from me to my fellow word nerds:
Nine Christmas-related words with interesting etymologies, one for each of the nine letters of 'Christmas'!
It was written with much linguistic love in an armchair beside a roaring fire.
dannybate.com/2024/12/23/a...
Nine Christmas-related words with interesting etymologies, one for each of the nine letters of 'Christmas'!
It was written with much linguistic love in an armchair beside a roaring fire.
dannybate.com/2024/12/23/a...
Reposted by Dr Finklestein
felt coot, might delete later
November 22, 2024 at 6:01 PM
felt coot, might delete later
Polsden Lacey looking very festive today @nationaltrust.bsky.social
November 25, 2024 at 4:08 PM
Polsden Lacey looking very festive today @nationaltrust.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr Finklestein
Word of the day is ‘hibernacle’ (18th century): a hibernating animal’s winter retreat.
I believe it works on a human level too.
I believe it works on a human level too.
November 25, 2024 at 2:49 PM
Word of the day is ‘hibernacle’ (18th century): a hibernating animal’s winter retreat.
I believe it works on a human level too.
I believe it works on a human level too.
This Monday's visit was Greenwich and the observatory.
November 19, 2024 at 5:15 PM
This Monday's visit was Greenwich and the observatory.
British Library Medieval women exhibition. Well worth a visit.
November 16, 2024 at 1:25 PM
British Library Medieval women exhibition. Well worth a visit.