Sally Flint

Passionate about education, reading, writing and kids (especially my own!) Sold the porsche, bought a mini. Enjoying freelance writing.

[Sally Flint @SalFlint]

This morning I've been reflecting on the success of our BISLN community and just how proud I am of what we’ve built together. The British International Schools Librarians Network (BISLN) began as a small idea to connect librarians, and it has grown into a vibrant, fun and truly international community that supports each other all year round. The energy, generosity and good humour everyone brings has shaped something really special.
BISLN has become a place where colleagues can meet regularly, share ideas, talk through challenges, celebrate successes and feel valued in part of a wider professional world. It’s friendly, practical and wonderfully connected, with librarians, teacher-librarians and affiliated experts joining us from across the globe.
Our members’ platform has also become a brilliant resource hub. It now includes recordings of all our PD sessions, practical tools and templates, booklists, shared documents and contributions from members across the network.
Thanks Andy Homden for providing me this opportunity.
If you’re looking for an international professional community that is warm, collaborative and full of ideas, we would truly love to welcome you.
You can find membership details and join us through Consilium Education:
https://t.co/eIulb1LDrh

[Sally Flint @SalFlint]

I don’t often blog about anything other than books these days. I’m not sure why. It’s not that I don’t do anything; I must do something, surely. Perhaps I’m just not convinced that anyone else is terribly interested in reading about my Monday rehearsals with Saints’ Singers choir or my ponderings over whether buying M&S salads is a luxury I shouldn’t succumb to when I can buy lettuce, mozzarella, tomato and balsamic and make a salad for a fraction of the cost. But then, why not live a little, eh?

A Joyful Night with Jenny Éclair in Leeds - sallyflint https://t.co/0MePlx3S0c

[Sally Flint @SalFlint]

@goodreads Nicola Sturgeon Frankly
https://t.co/LfmK8rcZMP

[Sally Flint @SalFlint]

Although not much of a user of Facebook and not at all really on Instagram or TikTok, being part of the older generation who learned Facebook, overused it, and has now more or less abandoned social media, I still found myself occasionally scrolling through the reels of Jess and Norma. I can’t remember if I pointed them out to my daughter Betsy or if she showed them to me, but either way, there is no denying they are a delight to watch.

Full book review: https://t.co/7XFEVrBqGy

#jessandnorma #Alifetimeoflaughterandourunbreakablebond #Sundaytimesbestselling

[Sally Flint @SalFlint]

@goodreads Orbital by Samantha Harvey. https://t.co/fR1R1OtEjv

[Sally Flint @SalFlint]

@goodreads Sarah Winman's Tin Man https://t.co/YgWgX5jw2W

[Sally Flint @SalFlint]

@goodreads Alistair Campbell's Living Better https://t.co/lvFzbsiiOP

[Sally Flint @SalFlint]

@goodreads Martin Amis' London Fields https://t.co/MDg3ynUI0q

[Sally Flint @SalFlint]

In FRIENDAHOLIC Confessions of a Friendship Addict, Elizabeth Day delves into the intricate dynamics of friendships, blending her personal experiences with universal truths. I didn’t realise this when I started to read it, as I bought it thinking it was fiction! This assumption seems all the sillier when you consider my avid listening to her podcasts, ‘How to Fail’ and ‘Best Friend Therapy’, which she co-hosts with Emma Reed-Turrell. However, in my defense, Magpie, also written by Elizabeth Day was fiction! My first comment is that this is a book of substance, so if, like me, you were expecting a light-hearted page-turner, it’s something far more worth investing in. Though the book is sprinkled with Day’s characteristic humour, she delves deep, approaching the topic with a gravitas that truly does it justice.

FRIENDAHOLIC Confessions of a Friendship Addict is meticulously structured, dividing itself into clear sections, each spotlighting various facets of friendship as they relate to Day’s own experiences. Yet, it’s not solely about Day’s viewpoint. Tucked between the principal chapters are ‘The Friendship Tapes’, where others share their unique perspectives and tales about what friendship signifies to them. There’s a resonance to these tales, moments of reflection, and introspection for readers to lose themselves in.

FULL REVIEW: https://t.co/GwIcATGmV1

#ElizabethDay #WritingCommmunity #BookReviews

[Sally Flint @SalFlint]

@goodreads Sally Rooney's Normal People https://t.co/D1DJpO2LAa

[Sally Flint @SalFlint]

@LizParkin3 I love that!

[Sally Flint @SalFlint]

It took me a while to get into Sarah Winman’s When God Was a Rabbit, but once I had it was well worth the read. At times it was hard to pin down what it was actually about, but I settled on it being an exploration of family life, friendship, and the inevitable passage of time. I read somewhere that it was described as a love story between a brother and sister, and I agree it is the sibling relationship that dominates the story. It navigates the complexities of their bond through shared secrets and the poignant highs and lows that life throws their way. It’s a cross between the story of two siblings, Elly and Jo growing up meshed with a coming-of-age narrative set against a real and modern historical context.

The setting provides an authentic journey through the decades, from the late 1960s to recent years, touching upon pivotal events like the deaths of John Lennon and Princess Diana, and the 9/11 attacks. These moments in time provide a backdrop for the personal growth and trials of the characters, illustrating how public events often intermingle with private lives. I haven’t seen this done so well before.

The writing of Sarah Winman has a rhythmic quality that is quite lyrical to read. Characters are vividly painted, though at times it seems quite random who is focused on. I guess as it is a coming-of-age story it is those who influenced the lives of Elly and Jo. Jenny Penny, Elly’s best friend, has a central role; her personal story of neglect and abuse could easily have been a book in its own right.

Full review: https://t.co/KPZE7cn9nq

#WritingCommunity #BookRecommendation #BookReviews #SarahWinman #WhenGodWasaRabbit

[Sally Flint @SalFlint]

@goodreads The Intoxicating Mr Lavelle by Neil Blackmore. https://t.co/O3JZd7uOmi

[Sally Flint @SalFlint]

The Intoxicating Mr Lavelle by Neil Blackmore is a captivating read that effortlessly blends elements of love, tragedy, and philosophical reflection. Neil Blackmore weaves a tale set in the 1700s, a time when societal norms were rigid, and the Grand Tour of Europe served as a rite of passage for English gentlemen. The Bowen brothers, Edgar and Benjamin, embark on this journey, their parents hoping to elevate their social standing despite their own status as ‘in trade.’

Blackmore skillfully immerses the reader in the historical context of powdered wigs and societal snobbery, making the past accessible to a modern audience. The narrative unfolds through Benjamin’s perspective, offering a glimpse into a world where rebellion against ingrained beliefs leads to unexpected, thrilling, and terrible consequences.

At the heart of The Intoxicating Mr Lavelle is a profound love story, yet it transcends mere romance. The novel serves as a philosophical examination of English society, then and now, and a poignant critique of prejudice. Blackmore seamlessly integrates historical facts through the ‘one minute’ game, a clever tool that informs the reader while satirizing and mocking holders of the beliefs presented through the game.

Full review: https://t.co/wG1zq2f6qE
#WritingCommunity #BookReviews #BookRecommendations #NeilBlackmore #TheIntoxicatingMRLavelle

[Sally Flint @SalFlint]

@goodreads Sara Pascoe’s Weirdo https://t.co/qwKQSdibxp

[Sally Flint @SalFlint]

@goodreads Sara Pascoe’s Weirdo https://t.co/qwKQSdibxp

[Sally Flint @SalFlint]

Sara Pascoe’s Weirdo presents a captivating exploration of contemporary fiction, resonating particularly with younger readers through its fresh, accessible style and relatable themes. Initially hesitant about delving into literature seemingly geared towards a younger demographic, I found Pascoe’s novel to be a delightful surprise, offering a blend of humour and insight that appeals to a broad audience.

At its core, Weirdo follows the journey of Sophie, a somewhat relatable protagonist navigating the complexities of life and love. From her escapades in Australia to her struggles with debt back in Essex, Sophie’s experiences resonate with the reader, evoking both laughter and empathy.

Pascoe’s narrative style is accessible and engaging, skilfully combining humour and introspection to keep the pages turning. The novel’s themes are multifaceted: while it touches on familiar topics of popular literature, such as love, friendship, and self-discovery, it also delves deeper into the essence of human existence. Pascoe infuses the story with a tragicomic angst that reflects modern comedic writing.

Full review: https://t.co/u6An81DPyr #SaraPascoe #WritingCommunity #BookRecommendations #BookReview

[Sally Flint @SalFlint]

@goodreads Claire Fuller's The Memory of Animals
https://t.co/LpQSmGWrlC

[Sally Flint @SalFlint]

Claire Fuller’s The Memory of Animals is an unusual book set in what appears to be roughly contemporary times. The story unfolds through a series of letters from the narrator, Neffy, to ‘H’, who we later learn is an octopus that Neffy freed from an aquarium where she’d previously worked.

The primary narrative follows Neffy, a 27-year-old marine biologist who volunteers in a programme developing a vaccine for a devastating pandemic, eerily reminiscent of our current global situation. The virus, named ‘Dropsy’, causes memory loss, bulging eyes, skin abnormalities, and ultimately, death.

As the pandemic accelerates, Neffy becomes the only successful trial participant, acquiring immunity to Dropsy. Following her severe illness, she finds herself amongst other young adults who were meant to trial the vaccine but, for various reasons, hadn’t. The narrative traces the dynamics of this group as they navigate their isolated existence, grappling with scarce resources, constant danger, and a need to survive. In that respect only, it’s a little bit like “Lord of the Flies.”

A twist in the tale emerges when a character named Yahiko possesses a device that allows some individuals to ‘Revisit’ their pasts and experience old memories, somewhat like using Dumbledore’s Pensieve, but more technologically advanced. This device reveals glimpses of Neffy’s childhood, her relationships with her divorced parents, and the genesis of her fascination, perhaps obsession, with sea creatures, particularly octopuses.

Full review: https://t.co/EfY3dyYeVV

#WritingCommunity #BookReview
#ClaireFuller #Thememoryofanimals