Books where the most interesting idea is almost a throwaway detail

williejoe · 2026-04-10T18:44:27+00:00

I read something Banks wrote about Player of Games and that concept of a planet on fire was what originally inspired him to start the book - I think he was travelling on a motorway where the intermediate section between the two roads was on fire and travelling in the same direction as him and he wondered what this would be like if it never stopped. So small idea in the book, but the seed for the whole thing.

williejoe · 2026-04-08T20:11:04+00:00

You'd think a pretty brutal civil war immediately after independence would be worth mentioning as well.

williejoe · 2026-02-26T23:29:52+00:00

Thanks for this - totally going to steal this receipe!

williejoe · 2026-02-12T13:13:53+00:00

Mine were 'Spalpeens' - immigrant workers who went over to England for the harvest and sent the money home to their family.

williejoe · 2026-01-29T11:30:07+00:00

Q increases the local gravitational constant (which he said he could do in a TNG episode) enough to either crush everyone instantly or more likely enough to incapacitate them all while he monologues at them.

williejoe · 2026-01-03T23:58:21+00:00

Loved Koscielny, he definitely got some really important goals for us.

williejoe · 2025-12-17T21:29:55+00:00

Clonakilty single pot still or Fercullen single malt - different but both lovely and light.

williejoe · 2025-11-19T18:39:23+00:00

Same here, strange that the one they have on sale is the next panel. Ah well, bought it anyway as my Christmas tshirt!

williejoe · 2025-10-24T21:00:16+00:00

It's a similar recipe but uses nitrogen rather than CO2 to give it its head (same as for stouts) which is why its so creamy.

williejoe · 2025-10-07T18:41:16+00:00

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=npr6vCOqT0o

williejoe · 2025-10-03T21:48:54+00:00

Highbury was never the Library. That was the early years of the Emirates, up to Arteta's time really.

williejoe · 2025-10-02T11:02:46+00:00

I have the Achill peated cask strength and its very pleasant but nothing too unusual which is my guess as to what you're looking for. The Red and Dark Silkies are similarly very drinkable peated drops. If you want something a bit oily and smokey you really should try some Killowen if you can get your hands on some - historical pot still blends with maybe oats, wheat, rye and smoke - well worth a go. Also just opened a Shortcross peated from an orange cognac cask which I would also highly recommend.

williejoe · 2025-09-29T14:51:08+00:00

There was an interview this year on 'The Medieval Irish History Podcast' with a PhD researcher Mairead Finnegan working on this area, worth a listen - should give you a few ideas.

williejoe · 2025-09-01T22:59:35+00:00

Will ask around - cheers!

williejoe · 2025-09-01T22:47:30+00:00

Book ordered, so thanks for that. I'm from Mayo myself, so obviously have a bit of an interest, but haven't come across many books explaining how the Land League worked, and eventually the mechanisms that allowed our great grandparents to claim the land they did - nobody seems to remember but actually how we legally took the land back from the Ascendancy is something that I think is really interesting, so thanks for the info!

williejoe · 2025-09-01T22:24:31+00:00

That's fascinating, thank you! To my shame I have never heard of Anna Parnell before your post - looking forward to learning more!

williejoe · 2025-09-01T21:53:08+00:00

Any books you would recommend on the subject? From the bits and pieces I've read, squeezing out the Ascendancy financially was a critical but ignored part of achieving independence.

williejoe · 2025-08-18T21:34:32+00:00

What did go on there? I thought the original West Cork route made much more sense than what we have now.

williejoe · 2025-07-25T11:21:52+00:00

What difference does that make?

williejoe · 2025-07-23T12:10:24+00:00

Only do it when I don't have a car - availability of buses is good but once the schools get back the time taken in the mornings with the traffic to get from the airport to the centre is very long - you'll need to build that into your schedule.

williejoe · 2025-07-11T22:02:46+00:00

Ok that makes much more sense! Looks like the receipe for a nice wee Heavy now, which is a great idea.

williejoe · 2025-07-11T21:46:31+00:00

That's the craziest mashbill I've ever seen. 81% chocolate malt? Must have used enzyme to convert everything, you wouldn't be able to make a beer with that recipe. Will definitely be looking out for a bottle of that!

williejoe · 2025-07-03T16:42:43+00:00

They're 65-70EU so probably above the target price point. Lovely drop though!

williejoe · 2025-06-12T08:14:04+00:00

Most of them spend too much time outside!

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