The Obsessive Diary

Sean McNulty is the creative behind Auraist, a publication dedicated to Picking the best-written books . In his own words: Auraist’s main purpose, then: to cherrypick from prize shortlists, end-of-year lists, and major reviews the most stylishly, most humanly written books, and in doing so to help support those who write them. If you’ve found yourself giving up on highly praised books because they...

What an evening it was. The glitz, the glamour, the generosity of spirit; our hosts, David & Debbie created an event so overwhelmingly beautiful and carefully thought out that it will forever be touched by magic. With thanks to Kate Burton a film has been produced. See for yourselves what friendship is, what support looks like, what investment in the arts gives rise to. I said at the dawn of 2025...

Thank you Bill Bishop , Chloe Hope , Isabel Cowles Murphy , Ros Barber , Chris Stanton , and many others for tuning into my live video with Tom Cox ! Join me for my next live video in the app. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit eleanoranstruther.substack.com/subscribe

Thank you Kim Stallwood , Robyn Young , Lee Penman , Sam Clare , Kerry , and many others for tuning into my live video with Michele Howarth ! Join me for my next live video in the app. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit eleanoranstruther.substack.com/subscribe

Thank you Simon K Jones , Mr. Troy Ford , Johnathan Reid , Amy Oscar , Andy Black , and many others for tuning into my live video with SamJordison ! Join me for my next live video in the app. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit eleanoranstruther.substack.com/subscribe

She took a tea towel from the draining board and ran outside, grabbed Paul by the arm to stop him rolling in it.  A good wipe produced his face looking sorry for itself; Simon fetched a bucket.  “With any luck it’ll rain again,” she said to the other mothers who held their glasses of white wine close to their chests.  Simon threw water over the remains of Paul’s stomach, watery chocolate spew wash...

Annabel was damp, cold, frightened and bruised all over.  She’d hitched a lift in a van, it had felt like the last ride out of there, and been tossed about like a stick, nothing to sit on but a pile of empty sacks.  Janet looked past her as if she was going to produce Bridget from the dark. “Is she with you?” “Who is this?” snapped Ray. Janet put a hand on his arm.  “She’s from school.  Is she wit...