It's Friday - What Can Possibly Go Wrong?
A weekly newsletter from Jodi Taylor
This week we have:
Remembering Russell and Mumsie
The Jodiworld Convention
User Guide for Jodi Taylor Readers on Bluesky It's a great new, ad-free place to communicate
A Reader’s Question: Will we ever get to know Commander Hay’s past from her point of view?
In History and Happening we have The Battle of Bannockburn: A Turning Point in Scottish History
Jodi Taylor Book Recommendation: Reaper Man by Terry Pratchett 💙📚
The Book of the Month is White Silence
There’s plenty to read this week and you can see everything new on the blog too. CLICK HERE for the blog.
Remembering Russell Bushby and Mumsie by Karin Mallion
The world is a little less bright today, a little quieter, a little less filled with the joyous chaos that Russell Bushby and his beloved Mumsie brought into our lives. Many of us knew Russell through his witty, warm, and often wonderfully absurd posts—tales of squirrels, coffee, and that ever-watchful verger. And, of course, who could forget Mumsie and her legendary frying pans?
Russell was more than just a fan; he was part of the heart and soul of our community—a fellow adventurer through time, history, and the pages of Jodi Taylor’s books. A fabulous storyteller and chronicler, he had a rare gift for turning the ordinary into something magical, spinning everyday moments into tales that made us laugh, think, and feel connected across the miles.
A true Pratchett devotee, he understood that some things—some people—leave an indelible mark on the world. To say he will be missed doesn’t quite cover it. The ripples of his kindness, his humour, and his boundless enthusiasm will continue to spread. So today, we raise a cup of coffee (or perhaps a well-aimed frying pan) in his honour.
GNU Russell Bushby and Mumsie. You will never be forgotten.
We’re St. Mary’s and we never leave our people behind.
There will be a celebration of Russell and a chance to share our memories of him on Sunday 23rd February at 7.00 pm (UK time) via Zoom. Feel free to join.
19:00 (UK time) Sun, 23 Feb 2025
Meeting ID: 898 2932 3661 Passcode: 564048
Jodiworld Convention 2025—The Ultimate Gathering of Mayhem and Mischief!
Prepare yourselves, dear readers, for the most thrilling, laughter-filled, tea-spilling, trebuchet-launching event of the year—Jodiworld Convention 2025! Mark your calendars for 23-26 May 2025 and set your course for the Doubletree by Hilton, Paradise Way, Coventry CV2 2ST. It’s going to be legendary.
A Stellar Line-Up!
At the heart of Jodiworld 2025, we are beyond delighted to welcome none other than Jodi Taylor herself! But that’s not all—joining the chaos will be the brilliantly witty Caimh (pronounced Kweev) McDonnell, author of The Stranger Times and the Bunny McGarry series. And if that weren’t enough, we’re also bringing you the incredible Zara Ramm, the unmistakable voice of Max in the St Mary’s audiobooks!
Tea, Talks, and Trebuchets!
Here’s just a taste of what’s in store:
· Spill The Tea sessions with each of our special guests—because nothing beats a good gossip over a cuppa.
· Jodi interviews Zara—a must-watch event where two brilliant minds collide!
· Q&A with Jodi and Caimh—expect chaos, unexpected tangents, and plenty of laughs.
· A Gala Dinner worthy of an Oscar night—because why not?
· Jodiworld’s Got Talent—prepare for hilarity and unexpected brilliance.
· Fancy Dress Parade—time to get creative!
· Informative Talks—on a wide variety of interesting subjects.
· Merchandise—our very own Rushford Village Market with an array of merch, as well as books!
· Book Signings—a chance for every single attendee to get their books signed by our esteemed guests.
· Quizzes, Games, and Panel Discussions—because we love keeping your minds (and competitive spirits) engaged.
· A “Stop The Clock” Ceremony—a heartfelt moment to honour our fallen friends.
· And yes, real-life trebuchets—because it wouldn’t be Jodiworld without a bit of medieval engineering mayhem.
· An Actual Pod! (Trust us, you’ll want to see this.)
Join the Fun!
This isn’t just a convention—it’s a meeting of minds, mischief-makers, and magnificent book lovers. We’ve poured our hearts into creating a unique and wonderful experience, and we’d love for you to be part of it.
There are still a few memberships available, and best of all—all profits will go to The Bookmark Reading Charity, helping children discover the joy of reading. So, what are you waiting for? Secure your place and prepare for a weekend of unforgettable Jodiworld magic.
See you in Coventry! Get your membership here: https://jodiworld.co.uk/membership/buy-a-membership/
User Guide for Jodi Taylor Readers on Bluesky
If you're a fan of Jodi Taylor and her books, this guide will help you navigate Bluesky, access the Jodi Taylor feed, and get started with the Bluesky Starter Pack.
Valerie Brown asks: Will we ever get to know Commander Hay’s past from her point of view? Maybe her reading her journals or writing her memoir.
Do you have a question for Jodi? Click on the comment button below
CLICK HERE to watch more Readers’ Questions videos
History and Happenings - click here to view more posts
The Battle of Bannockburn: A Turning Point in Scottish History
The Battle of Bannockburn, fought on 23rd and 24th June 1314, was a defining moment in Scottish history, securing Scotland’s independence from English rule. This battle, led by King Robert the Bruce against the forces of King Edward II of England, was one of the most significant victories in Scotland’s struggle for independence during the First War of Scottish Independence (1296–1328). It not only cemented Bruce’s authority as King of Scots but also weakened English dominance in the region.
The battle took place in the context of a long and bitter conflict between Scotland and England. In 1296, King Edward I of England – known as the Hammer of the Scots – invaded Scotland, seeking to bring it under English rule. This led to years of resistance, with figures such as William Wallace and later Robert the Bruce leading the fight for Scotland’s independence.
Jodi Taylor Book Recommendation: Reaper Man by Terry Pratchett 💙📚
Reaper Man is the second book in the Death series, but you can read the Discworld novels in any order. 💙📚https://amzn.to/4abG6Lk
Have you enjoyed this book too?
The Book of the Month for February is WHITE SILENCE
Jodi Taylor, best known for her Chronicles of St Mary’s series, takes a thrilling detour into the world of supernatural suspense with White Silence, the first book in the Elizabeth Cage series. Blending mystery, the paranormal, and Taylor’s trademark wit, White Silence is an engaging and fast-paced book that keeps the reader on edge from start to finish.
The Reading Companion and History Briefings eBook for Just One Damned Thing After Another. The eBook is 99p on Amazon
It contains:
A foreword by Jodi Taylor
Background information on the characters
History Briefings giving information on the four main jumps in the book
Floor plans of St Mary’s Institute for Historical Research
A list of British idioms and expressions
How to make tea like a Brit
A recipe for Toad in the Hole
A full series guide and reading order for The Chronicles of St Mary’s series
I love of TP's Death books, but Reaper Man is definitely my favorite. Have re-read many, many times. I heartily approve of Jodi's choice for this week.
I’m delighted to see that Russell Bushby and his beloved Mumsie are being remembered by this group! I loved his posts and storytelling and the Pratchett link was - is - always close in this group. I can’t be with you on Sunday except in spirit and I hope it goes well. Well, as well as anything involving Russell ever went… 🙄
GNU Russell and Mumsie 💕💖💕