The Saturday Compendium 12: Confidence, Marple, time travel, (no) spoilers... (and more)
I trawl through the highs and lows of culture and ideas, so you don't have to.
The Saturday Compendium is where I round up a few of the things that have interested me in one way or another this week. Some cool, some not so cool, some that have made me think, some that have inspired me to action, some that have shaken me out of a rut. Some old, some new, all borrowed, some possibly blue. But whatever else, they’re all things I think you might find interesting too.
Do you want more? Do join up as a reader-supporter. You’ll get all my posts, past and future, including essays, humour, fiction, behind-the-scenes publishing gossip, and much more. All for about the same price as a monthly cold brew coffee.
A request: Would you consider upgrading your subscription, so that Compendia can continue? Writing is work and work should be paid, BUT I know things are hard for most of us right now. I’ve therefore lowered my prices as far as I feel I can given the effort I put into Compendia.
It’s just £1 per week (around US$1.30) if you pay for a year in advance, and around £1.40 (US$1.80) per week if you pay monthly.
Bear in mind it’s easy to cancel if you’re not enjoying what I offer.
Most people enjoy Compendia for free, and it’s great to have you on board. But it’s the handful who do pay who allow me to continue writing here, so please consider it.
And for those who are tempted but not sure they want to commit…
What is confidence?
What I’m reading: Marple: Twelve New Stories
This collection of twelve original short stories, all featuring Jane Marple, will introduce the character to a whole new generation. Each author reimagines Agatha Christie’s Marple through their own unique perspective while staying true to the hallmarks of a traditional mystery.
· Naomi Alderman
· Leigh Bardugo
· Alyssa Cole
· Lucy Foley
· Elly Griffiths
· Natalie Haynes
· Jean Kwok
· Val McDermid
· Karen M. McManus
· Dreda Say Mitchell
· Kate Mosse
· Ruth Ware
Loving it so far - amazing to see what everyone has done with Miss Marple…
On the dangers of only seeing things from your own perspective…
This futuristic tombstone was found in an old cemetery. Most of the other graves date from the American civil war. It lists the date of death as January 21st 6010. Evidence of time travel, right?
Or is it something else? What do you think? (It’s real, not fake.)
My paying subscriber/supporters can find out the truth below. For the rest, I’ll tell you next week…
What I’ve Been Watching: Celebrity Race Across the World
I’m not a fan of reality TV but this is different. It’s like a travel show, too, and it’s interesting seeing relationships put to the test and new, stronger bonds form.
What’s really pissed me off
The fact I just googled Celebrity Race Across the World to get an image for the above lisiting, and the FIRST hit told me who’d won. I still had one episode to go.
What I’ve also been listening to
When I was at university I fell for a band called Cud. And tonight (last night, by the time you read this) I’m seeing them live, and it will be fun.
How about you? What are you enjoying at the moment?
Now, back to that tombstone…
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to S J Watson's Compendia to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.