Goodreads Upgrades Its Ratings System

I received an email from Goodreads yesterday with some brilliant news.

The social media website for bookworms has upgraded the way people can rate books once they've finished reading them.

Before now, the way to grade a title is to give them between one and five stars. There was no option which allowed readers to, for example, give a book three-and-a-half stars. That's no longer an issue. We can now do that.

It's not just halves that can be given out. It's also possible to give quarters.

Here's a clip showing how it's possible.

This obviously makes it easier for me when it comes to sorting out the books on the Booker Prize shortlist. In the past, I had to point out which - of at least two novels with identical star ratings - was superior. 

I faced a similar situation earlier this week reading the 2026 shortlisted titles.

I Try Surreal's KFCereal

I've just had KFC for breakfast.

Yes, you read that right. I've just had KFC for breakfast. Not in the way you're imagining it, though.

First, I should back track.

A few weeks ago, I came across a post on TAFKA Twitter which showed a box of breakfast cereal with the KFC logo. 

'Okay,' I thought. 'You have my attention.'

A Surreal purchase and delivery

The cereal is made by a UK company named Surreal. It produces healthy breakfast products made with high protein and low sugar content. I browsed the website and found the KFC cereal for £6. It was an instant purchase.

A few days later, the parcel arrived at my door. Inside was the box of cereal (obviously!) but also a cool bit of marketing - a chicken themed newspaper named The Breakfast Times.

Looks brilliant, doesn't it?

It took me a few days to actually open the cereal itself because I had a plan.

To have the authentic KFCereal experience, I had to try the cereal with real KFC gravy. I ordered a small tub, with yesterday's lunch and kept it until this morning.

Tasting Surreal's KFCereal for the first time

Upon opening the cereal bag, I took a sniff. The first thing I thought was 'it smells a bit like the Walkers crisps from the KFC promotion' 

As you can see above, the cereal looks just like.. well, just like regular breakfast cereal. It didn't with my next act:

After heating the gravy for a minute (with a thirty second stir session in-between!), I poured it on top of my breakfast.

It felt peculiar to have a breakfast cereal with a chicken flavouring. On top of that, it was also off-putting to have the cereal with gravy instead of milk.

Double Discombobulation.

I didn't count how many spoonfuls I had. I suppose I had enough to forget how many. However, I reached a point of realisation where I noticed the gravy had made the breakfast too seasoned for my liking. The spiciness forced me to tap out earlier than anticipated.

Plan B is to try this cereal the old fashioned way.

Would I buy KFCereal again?

To be frank, I consider KFCereal for what it is: a gimmick. It is a brilliant one at that. However, I don't believe I'll ever go out of my way to buy it in the future. I certainly won't try original KFC gravy with it again. On a plus side, the Surreal-KFC collaboration introduced me to Surreal's products. I notice one of their cereals is peanut butter flavoured. Regular visitors will know how much I love both Reese's and Aldi's peanut butter breakfast offerings, so I plan to at least give Surreal's version a try.

Until then, I'm going to battle away at this box of KFCereal. 

With milk.

A Posthumous Double For October 6

It had only been a few days ago since I read a press release stating that Jeffrey Archer's upcoming book - Adam & Eve - would be his last.

The famed author was set to retire at the age of eighty-six once the book came out today.

It didn't end that way.

Stunned. That's how I felt when I read the news report of Archer's death last night. Mere hours before the book went live.

In one day, or rather: hours, Adam & Eve became a posthumous novel. Coincidentally, it's the second title of a deceased writer to be published today.

Also on the shelves is third book in The Talisman series by Stephen King and Peter Straub. The latter passed away a little over four years ago leaving King with enough notes to finish off Other Worlds Than These.

My copy arrived this morning. I'll get to it as soon as I've finished getting through the Booker Prize shortlist (Update: I'm currently on the third of six books in the marathon).

Meeting My Uncle Again

I met my uncle for the first time since 2002 in the early hours of this morning.

I genuinely cannot recall a time, since he passed away in 2003, when I've dreamt about him. 

He was selling vacuum cleaners of all things. Not exactly. He was actually selling videos (video cassettes at that!) showing his technique of selling vacuums.

Just like in real life, he gave me some sound advice. I know it was all my subconscious creating the dream, but I choose to believe he really did come to see me.

It sure was good to catch up with him.

A £1 Punt (For One Reason, And One Reason Only)

I was just looking through my emails and came across one from Bet365 for today's NFL games.

They were offering some special prices for the Colts versus Commanders from Tottenham, which kicks off at 2:30pm BST. 

One stood out only because of what they called the bet builder.

It's Daniel Jones themed and requires the following:

1. Indianapolis to win straight up
2. Jones to have 275+ passing yards
3. Jones 3+ passing touchdowns

They're offering 10/1.

I like two of the three. However, they've named it 'Indiana Jones' and - seeing as I'm wearing my Daniel Jones 'Indiana Jones' t-shirt today - I am obliged to whack £1 on. 

Only £1!

The selection I can't see coming in is number three. There's guaranteed to be some rushing touchdowns - for both sides - on today's play sheets. 

Colts -4 Against The Commanders - Has It Lost Value?

I see the Indianapolis Colts are now four-point favourites to beat the Washington Commanders when they meet at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium tomorrow afternoon.

That's a big drop considering the designated visiting team (they're both visitors imo!) were written up as +1.5 road dogs when early lines were published in May.

Checking in with what I wrote in Taylor's Pro Football Gambling Annual, if I had a fiver to bet on this game right now, I'd pass.

The previous eight meetings clearly favoured the Colts straight up. They have a win-loss of 5-3 (63%) in that category. They would have been a perfect punt as +1.5 dogs. Now, as four-point chalk? Not so much.

Value gone.

The last time the Colts played in London

I also have a dreadful memory of the last time Indianapolis played in London. I had them backed as a pick 'em against the Jaguars.

The Wembley Stadium game, which 'celebrated' its tenth anniversary yesterday, ended with Jacksonville 30-27 winners. 

It's safe to conclude with one assurance: I'm not taking the Colts. With that said, I don't find Washington +4 an appealing counter.

Daniels ruled out for London clash

Commanders' quarterback, Jayden Daniels, has been ruled out for a second straight week after dislocating his elbow against Dallas in Week 2.

A Marcus Mariota led Commanders upset the current Super Bowl champions last weekend. The 33-31 win over the Seahawks saw Washington +8.5 cover in the Beat the Champs betting angle. However, per the very same system, this week's game places the Commanders in the fade/come down spot.

For a more extensive look at this weekend's slate of games, and every other game for the remainder of the 2026 season, check out Taylor's Pro Football Gambling Annual.

Tomorrow's College Games (Updated)

Barring a late miracle, which is me deciding to ante up to buy a DAZN NCAA Football subscription,  I won't be able to catch the Oklahoma Sooners' visit to the Texas Longhorns tomorrow.

I've checked the menu of games available to Disney Plus customers and it's not on there.

That's a shame, I would have enjoyed being able to watch that game at 8:30pm BST. It would have been perfect because I will, for the first time this season, get to watch Notre Dame. Their game begins at 5pm for me.

The Fighting Irish, who are ranked third, head to North Carolina to take on Bill Belichick's Tar Heels. 

I've checked out the spread and total for the match I plan to watch. The visitors are -21.5 favourites. Those looking to bet on the Over-Under will find the totals line set at 46.5.

After last week's mess up, I don't intend to use the spreadsheet to place any bets. In fact, I don't intend to place any wagers at all. 

3/10 UPDATE - I was listening to a radio show last night and they mentioned Texas is on a bye this week. The Oklahoma game is on October 10th. First, what a rookie mistake by yours truly to not look at the dates when I asked Google for the next Texas game. Second, I’ll keep an eye on the Disney Plus menu for next week’s slate. I could very well get to see this one after all. Albeit a week later than I expected ha!