Penguin Ponders
@penguin-ponders.bsky.social
I just want a place to talk about books again.
Neurodivergent, Disabled, Queer. Canadian
Any pronouns
Trans rights are human rights. Support BIPOC folk.
Everyone deserves rep, rights and access
Post GenAI, get blocked
Neurodivergent, Disabled, Queer. Canadian
Any pronouns
Trans rights are human rights. Support BIPOC folk.
Everyone deserves rep, rights and access
Post GenAI, get blocked
Pinned
Reposted by Penguin Ponders
What society thinks disabled people want to hear:
“You’re so brave!”
“We look past your disability!”
What disabled people actually want to hear:
“We acknowledge your disability and will happily accommodate your needs.”
“You can marry without losing your benefits.”
“We’d like to offer you the job.”
“You’re so brave!”
“We look past your disability!”
What disabled people actually want to hear:
“We acknowledge your disability and will happily accommodate your needs.”
“You can marry without losing your benefits.”
“We’d like to offer you the job.”
November 26, 2025 at 7:19 PM
What society thinks disabled people want to hear:
“You’re so brave!”
“We look past your disability!”
What disabled people actually want to hear:
“We acknowledge your disability and will happily accommodate your needs.”
“You can marry without losing your benefits.”
“We’d like to offer you the job.”
“You’re so brave!”
“We look past your disability!”
What disabled people actually want to hear:
“We acknowledge your disability and will happily accommodate your needs.”
“You can marry without losing your benefits.”
“We’d like to offer you the job.”
Reposted by Penguin Ponders
Today's #BirdOfTheDay is #BerriesAndBeaks, and so a pair of juvenile eurasian starlings picking over the fruit of a cabbage tree in a London garden.
#bids #birding #putney #wildlifephotography
#bids #birding #putney #wildlifephotography
November 30, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Today's #BirdOfTheDay is #BerriesAndBeaks, and so a pair of juvenile eurasian starlings picking over the fruit of a cabbage tree in a London garden.
#bids #birding #putney #wildlifephotography
#bids #birding #putney #wildlifephotography
The Undertakers by Nicole Glover
While there's a mystery to uncover, Hetty's big struggle here is in reinventing herself. Their new undertaker business isn't taking much time, and she's colliding a lot with past choices and histories. Her biggest joy is in a gift for Benjy.
🪐📚💙 #specfic #sff 📚🌎 1/
While there's a mystery to uncover, Hetty's big struggle here is in reinventing herself. Their new undertaker business isn't taking much time, and she's colliding a lot with past choices and histories. Her biggest joy is in a gift for Benjy.
🪐📚💙 #specfic #sff 📚🌎 1/
November 30, 2025 at 1:50 AM
People wouldn't be trapped in horrible jobs because they have to make rent, buy food ect. So many people putting up with exploitation because there is no other choice.
Honest question: If everyone got Universal Basic Income, no strings attached, what would YOU do with it?
Re-post with your quote or drop your take below.
Re-post with your quote or drop your take below.
November 29, 2025 at 7:24 PM
People wouldn't be trapped in horrible jobs because they have to make rent, buy food ect. So many people putting up with exploitation because there is no other choice.
Reposted by Penguin Ponders
There is no such thing as an empty box in this house, merely boxes currently missing their requisite cat.
November 29, 2025 at 6:46 PM
There is no such thing as an empty box in this house, merely boxes currently missing their requisite cat.
#Bookvember TBR:
I don't plan ahead, I am such a mood reader these days. I do have a few tagged to re-read so I can get to the next book in the series, but those still only get read when the mood is right.
I don't plan ahead, I am such a mood reader these days. I do have a few tagged to re-read so I can get to the next book in the series, but those still only get read when the mood is right.
Welcome to #Bookvember Day 29!
Follow the directions on the prompt card and discuss your reading habits.
#BookSky #WriteSky #Books #Authors #WritingCommunity
Follow the directions on the prompt card and discuss your reading habits.
#BookSky #WriteSky #Books #Authors #WritingCommunity
November 29, 2025 at 5:36 PM
#Bookvember TBR:
I don't plan ahead, I am such a mood reader these days. I do have a few tagged to re-read so I can get to the next book in the series, but those still only get read when the mood is right.
I don't plan ahead, I am such a mood reader these days. I do have a few tagged to re-read so I can get to the next book in the series, but those still only get read when the mood is right.
#Bookvember Book Type:
Only Ebook for me. Started out because we didn't have room for print any more, and as a money saver.
But now also a big disability thing as I need to crank that font size right up.
Only Ebook for me. Started out because we didn't have room for print any more, and as a money saver.
But now also a big disability thing as I need to crank that font size right up.
Welcome to #Bookvember Day 28!
Follow the directions on the prompt card and discuss your reading habits.
#BookSky #WriteSky #Books #Authors #WritingCommunity
Follow the directions on the prompt card and discuss your reading habits.
#BookSky #WriteSky #Books #Authors #WritingCommunity
November 28, 2025 at 5:50 PM
#Bookvember Book Type:
Only Ebook for me. Started out because we didn't have room for print any more, and as a money saver.
But now also a big disability thing as I need to crank that font size right up.
Only Ebook for me. Started out because we didn't have room for print any more, and as a money saver.
But now also a big disability thing as I need to crank that font size right up.
Happy Several Books on My Kobo Wishlist are on Sale day to those who celebrate
November 28, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Happy Several Books on My Kobo Wishlist are on Sale day to those who celebrate
The thing that gets me here, is they have to have a snail fence. You don't go into a heist like this without a way to sell the snails.
What is the story behind this person? How did they get on the path of illicit snail distribution?
What is the story behind this person? How did they get on the path of illicit snail distribution?
November 28, 2025 at 6:03 AM
The thing that gets me here, is they have to have a snail fence. You don't go into a heist like this without a way to sell the snails.
What is the story behind this person? How did they get on the path of illicit snail distribution?
What is the story behind this person? How did they get on the path of illicit snail distribution?
First Snow by Jake Vanguard
Zanoah is very beaten down, & trained to never disagree or disobey, which makes this a very creepy read. Caean provides a lot of mutual support. The deities are interesting, though there seems to be little actual religion. Cliffhanger.
🪐📚💙 #specfic #sff 📚🌎 🌈📚♠️ 🌈🚀💫 ♿️♾️📚
Zanoah is very beaten down, & trained to never disagree or disobey, which makes this a very creepy read. Caean provides a lot of mutual support. The deities are interesting, though there seems to be little actual religion. Cliffhanger.
🪐📚💙 #specfic #sff 📚🌎 🌈📚♠️ 🌈🚀💫 ♿️♾️📚
November 28, 2025 at 4:34 AM
#Bookvember Cliffhangers
This is an execution thing for me.
If it's a natural extension of the books plot, like in The Midnight Lie by Marie Rutkoski, then I enjoy it.
But when it seems disconnected, or makes the book feel incomplete or spoils the ending -
1/
This is an execution thing for me.
If it's a natural extension of the books plot, like in The Midnight Lie by Marie Rutkoski, then I enjoy it.
But when it seems disconnected, or makes the book feel incomplete or spoils the ending -
1/
Welcome to #Bookvember Day 27!
Follow the directions on the prompt card and discuss the tropes we love and hate.
#BookSky #WriteSky #Books #Authors #WritingCommunity
Follow the directions on the prompt card and discuss the tropes we love and hate.
#BookSky #WriteSky #Books #Authors #WritingCommunity
November 27, 2025 at 6:19 PM
#Bookvember Cliffhangers
This is an execution thing for me.
If it's a natural extension of the books plot, like in The Midnight Lie by Marie Rutkoski, then I enjoy it.
But when it seems disconnected, or makes the book feel incomplete or spoils the ending -
1/
This is an execution thing for me.
If it's a natural extension of the books plot, like in The Midnight Lie by Marie Rutkoski, then I enjoy it.
But when it seems disconnected, or makes the book feel incomplete or spoils the ending -
1/
The Imlen Brat by Sarah Avery
A seven year old only has so much agency and understanding, and Stisele's world is very small. I didn't realize how young she was from the description. There's a lot of potential in this world, but I think I'd be more interested in an older heroine.
🪐📚💙 #specfic #sff
A seven year old only has so much agency and understanding, and Stisele's world is very small. I didn't realize how young she was from the description. There's a lot of potential in this world, but I think I'd be more interested in an older heroine.
🪐📚💙 #specfic #sff
November 27, 2025 at 5:40 AM
#Bookvember Setting as Character:
Alan Dean Foster does great alien worlds / biologies, and Midworld is my absolute favorite. Everything is weird and deadly and interconnected, constantly blurring the lines between plant and animal. It's a great survival journey.
Alan Dean Foster does great alien worlds / biologies, and Midworld is my absolute favorite. Everything is weird and deadly and interconnected, constantly blurring the lines between plant and animal. It's a great survival journey.
November 27, 2025 at 2:13 AM
#Bookvember Setting as Character:
Alan Dean Foster does great alien worlds / biologies, and Midworld is my absolute favorite. Everything is weird and deadly and interconnected, constantly blurring the lines between plant and animal. It's a great survival journey.
Alan Dean Foster does great alien worlds / biologies, and Midworld is my absolute favorite. Everything is weird and deadly and interconnected, constantly blurring the lines between plant and animal. It's a great survival journey.
Reposted by Penguin Ponders
I love this photo of a male ocellated turkey (Meleagris ocellata) by Charles J. Sharp because it looks like it's mid-ballet. The 'danseur noble' takes the stage.
'Ocellated' is from Latin 'ocellus' meaning "little eye", referring to the eye-like spots on the tail feathers...
(📷: Charles J. Sharp)
'Ocellated' is from Latin 'ocellus' meaning "little eye", referring to the eye-like spots on the tail feathers...
(📷: Charles J. Sharp)
August 15, 2025 at 2:34 PM
I love this photo of a male ocellated turkey (Meleagris ocellata) by Charles J. Sharp because it looks like it's mid-ballet. The 'danseur noble' takes the stage.
'Ocellated' is from Latin 'ocellus' meaning "little eye", referring to the eye-like spots on the tail feathers...
(📷: Charles J. Sharp)
'Ocellated' is from Latin 'ocellus' meaning "little eye", referring to the eye-like spots on the tail feathers...
(📷: Charles J. Sharp)
Reposted by Penguin Ponders
I don't think we're going to have a successful Amazon boycott till we break their monopoly on indie books.
They have a clever strategy to build their monopoly, which any functional government would have banned: if you want your indie book listed in Kindle Unlimited, you have to be exclusive. 🧵
They have a clever strategy to build their monopoly, which any functional government would have banned: if you want your indie book listed in Kindle Unlimited, you have to be exclusive. 🧵
November 26, 2025 at 2:49 PM
I don't think we're going to have a successful Amazon boycott till we break their monopoly on indie books.
They have a clever strategy to build their monopoly, which any functional government would have banned: if you want your indie book listed in Kindle Unlimited, you have to be exclusive. 🧵
They have a clever strategy to build their monopoly, which any functional government would have banned: if you want your indie book listed in Kindle Unlimited, you have to be exclusive. 🧵
Reposted by Penguin Ponders
The river carves the land. Collects its gossip, hears all its spirited stories. Blends them into its own song. Witches listen to this fluid singing of place, gathers omens as they float by. She runs with the river and absorbs its wisdom. – #EmilyCBanting, 1982 #WitchSky
November 26, 2025 at 2:58 PM
The river carves the land. Collects its gossip, hears all its spirited stories. Blends them into its own song. Witches listen to this fluid singing of place, gathers omens as they float by. She runs with the river and absorbs its wisdom. – #EmilyCBanting, 1982 #WitchSky
The Affair of the Mysterious Letter by Alexis Hall
I got enough of the references in this to be sure I was missing at least a dozen more. I just havn't read all the old school horror it's evoking. I did enjoy the nods to it being a serialized story.
🪐📚💙 #specfic #sff 📚🌎 🌈📚 🌈🚀💫
I got enough of the references in this to be sure I was missing at least a dozen more. I just havn't read all the old school horror it's evoking. I did enjoy the nods to it being a serialized story.
🪐📚💙 #specfic #sff 📚🌎 🌈📚 🌈🚀💫
November 26, 2025 at 4:51 AM
Vigilantes:
I mostly like it. It's so common in spec fic to have a sort of 'alternate source of justice' trope. And in fiction, there's rarely any doubt of guilt or incompetence, so it's easy to enjoy.
Actions have consequences, justice is not impossible, very few downer endings
1/
I mostly like it. It's so common in spec fic to have a sort of 'alternate source of justice' trope. And in fiction, there's rarely any doubt of guilt or incompetence, so it's easy to enjoy.
Actions have consequences, justice is not impossible, very few downer endings
1/
November 26, 2025 at 12:43 AM
Vigilantes:
I mostly like it. It's so common in spec fic to have a sort of 'alternate source of justice' trope. And in fiction, there's rarely any doubt of guilt or incompetence, so it's easy to enjoy.
Actions have consequences, justice is not impossible, very few downer endings
1/
I mostly like it. It's so common in spec fic to have a sort of 'alternate source of justice' trope. And in fiction, there's rarely any doubt of guilt or incompetence, so it's easy to enjoy.
Actions have consequences, justice is not impossible, very few downer endings
1/
#BookishQOTD: Beautiful
Fire by Kristin Cashore is a story with a lot of heart, and also a stunning cover. I love all the covers in this series.
Fire by Kristin Cashore is a story with a lot of heart, and also a stunning cover. I love all the covers in this series.
November 26, 2025 at 12:34 AM
#BookishQOTD: Beautiful
Fire by Kristin Cashore is a story with a lot of heart, and also a stunning cover. I love all the covers in this series.
Fire by Kristin Cashore is a story with a lot of heart, and also a stunning cover. I love all the covers in this series.
Remnant Population by Elizabeth Moon is very satisfying for this. Ofelia becomes the person she's suppressed.
Happy International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, lovelies! 💬📚
What is a book you enjoy that features women's empowerment? 💙📚✨
#QOTD #BookishQOTD #booksky #readersky #bookishquestions
What is a book you enjoy that features women's empowerment? 💙📚✨
#QOTD #BookishQOTD #booksky #readersky #bookishquestions
November 26, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Remnant Population by Elizabeth Moon is very satisfying for this. Ofelia becomes the person she's suppressed.
#Bookvember Heel/Face Turn:
I can't give specifics because major spoilers.
But The Winter Long by Seanan McGuire, Book 8 of the October Daye series.
Changes everything.
I can't give specifics because major spoilers.
But The Winter Long by Seanan McGuire, Book 8 of the October Daye series.
Changes everything.
Welcome to #Bookvember Day 24!
Follow the directions on the prompt card and discuss the tropes we love and hate.
#BookSky #WriteSky #Books #Authors #WritingCommunity
Follow the directions on the prompt card and discuss the tropes we love and hate.
#BookSky #WriteSky #Books #Authors #WritingCommunity
November 26, 2025 at 12:29 AM
#Bookvember Heel/Face Turn:
I can't give specifics because major spoilers.
But The Winter Long by Seanan McGuire, Book 8 of the October Daye series.
Changes everything.
I can't give specifics because major spoilers.
But The Winter Long by Seanan McGuire, Book 8 of the October Daye series.
Changes everything.
#Bookvember Mentor:
Eclipse by Celia Lake is teacher romance, but it starts out after Thesan and Isembard have been friends for a year. Thesan puts the work in to help new teachers adjust and do their best. And Isembard learns to be more helpful to the student's he's mentoring.
Eclipse by Celia Lake is teacher romance, but it starts out after Thesan and Isembard have been friends for a year. Thesan puts the work in to help new teachers adjust and do their best. And Isembard learns to be more helpful to the student's he's mentoring.
Welcome to #Bookvember Day 25!
Follow the directions on the prompt card and discuss the tropes we love and hate.
#BookSky #WriteSky #Books #Authors #WritingCommunity
Follow the directions on the prompt card and discuss the tropes we love and hate.
#BookSky #WriteSky #Books #Authors #WritingCommunity
November 26, 2025 at 12:27 AM
#Bookvember Mentor:
Eclipse by Celia Lake is teacher romance, but it starts out after Thesan and Isembard have been friends for a year. Thesan puts the work in to help new teachers adjust and do their best. And Isembard learns to be more helpful to the student's he's mentoring.
Eclipse by Celia Lake is teacher romance, but it starts out after Thesan and Isembard have been friends for a year. Thesan puts the work in to help new teachers adjust and do their best. And Isembard learns to be more helpful to the student's he's mentoring.
Reposted by Penguin Ponders
Today, a great threat to our society has been vanquished. Catnip Banana met its demise at eleven hundred hours under the knife fingers of Coal, AKA El Capitán.
"He knows what he did."
"He knows what he did."
November 25, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Today, a great threat to our society has been vanquished. Catnip Banana met its demise at eleven hundred hours under the knife fingers of Coal, AKA El Capitán.
"He knows what he did."
"He knows what he did."
Reposted by Penguin Ponders
"Buran Highfield? Little chap in the robes with the freckles and the unfortunate centre parting? Good Gods, no, never."
Maven seems to relax. "Right," they say, making as if to go.
"More a stab you in the front sort of person, is Buran."
This does not seem to be the desired thing for him to say.
Maven seems to relax. "Right," they say, making as if to go.
"More a stab you in the front sort of person, is Buran."
This does not seem to be the desired thing for him to say.
November 24, 2025 at 4:19 PM
"Buran Highfield? Little chap in the robes with the freckles and the unfortunate centre parting? Good Gods, no, never."
Maven seems to relax. "Right," they say, making as if to go.
"More a stab you in the front sort of person, is Buran."
This does not seem to be the desired thing for him to say.
Maven seems to relax. "Right," they say, making as if to go.
"More a stab you in the front sort of person, is Buran."
This does not seem to be the desired thing for him to say.