Susan
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violetephemera.bsky.social
Susan
@violetephemera.bsky.social
Teacher, ex-academic, avid reader, houseplant keeper, and cat person.
PhD in Victorian literature and science
📚 🐈🪴 🍉
A holiday-themed #caturday from earlier this week when Ivy took a nap on a pile of tissue paper and bubble wrap from the Christmas ornaments. She thought it was the best new bed!
December 6, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Book 60 of 2025 📚💙 All the Little Monsters by David Robertson, a memoir of his experiences with anxiety. His description of the uneven nature of "progress" as life events occur was especially helpful. Sometimes, you just need to hear about someone going through a similar experience to feel better.
November 30, 2025 at 9:19 PM
It's been a tough few weeks, so I treated myself to a couple of Regency Cats blind boxes and, fortunately, got the two I wanted! Lady Sheddington and Miss Meowsly now hold an honoured place on my bookshelf.
November 24, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Reposted by Susan
A bunch of cats I’ve painted 🐈
September 3, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Happy #caturday from Ivy. This photo is from a few days ago, when she took over my bed before I had a chance to make it, and she disapproved of my attempts to move her. Stay cozy, like Ivy!
November 15, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Reposted by Susan
So this happened an hour ago. I don’t think I’ve seen red this deep in a long time. You could see it quite clearly with the naked eye. #aurora
November 12, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Book 59 of 2025 📚💙 What Stalks the Deep by T. Kingfisher, the third in the Gothic horror series, this time set in a West Virginian mine haunted by a Lovecraftian creature. As always with her work, I enjoy the descriptive writing and unique characters; this one also had a fun plot twist. #booksky
November 9, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Reposted by Susan
Sometimes protagonists aren't able to fix the world. Sometimes they're not even able to see the problems with it. Sometimes they're just trying to survive. Sometimes they're even part of the problem.
The writer isn't the society and the writer isn't the protagonist.
November 9, 2025 at 4:37 AM
Book 58 of 2025 📚💙 Pick a Colour by Souvankham Thammavongsa, which depicts a day in the life of a thoughtful and observant nail salon owner. It's like Joyce's Ulysses retold by one many deem invisible, and it takes on the best and most memorable elements of Thammavongsa's short stories. #booksky
November 2, 2025 at 5:45 PM
When I returned from a walk this morning, I found my cat sleeping like this in my bed, enjoying the sunshine. #catsky
October 28, 2025 at 11:21 PM
I received the teabag bookmark that I ordered from @cupofmin.bsky.social this week, and it came with this cute assortment of goodies. The bookmark is a lovely work of fibre art, with many exquisite little details that bring the embroidery to life. 😊
October 26, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Book 57 of 2025 📚💙 Restaurant Kid by Rachel Phan, a memoir of her childhood in small-town Ontario, haunted by her parents' restaurant and her alienation as one of the few Asian people in her community. I especially enjoyed the last chapters when Phan connected with her family and history. #booksky
October 26, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Reposted by Susan
RELEASE DAY! Year's Best Canadian F&SF Volume 3 is now available! Grab ebooks at all retailers and print via Amazon, with Ingram to follow shortly for bookstore & library sales. Grab your copy today and pls share WIDELY!
#BookRelease #NewBook #SpecFic #fantasy #sciencefiction #canada #Booksky 💙📚🪐
October 21, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Book 56 of 2025 📚💙 Hemlock and Silver by T. Kingfisher, a fantasy medical mystery filled with little creative touches that made the whole story a joy to read, like a belled rattle snake, spirit houses, a literal mirror world. Probably my favourite of her novels so far. #booksky
October 19, 2025 at 12:50 AM
A day late for #caturday but couldn't resist posting a picture of Ivy anyway. In the mornings, she sits on my bed to watch the reflections of light that play on the walls. She's always loved light and shadows, often more than real toys.
October 12, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Book 55 of 2025 📚💙 Lucky Day by Chuck Tingle, the story of Vera, who survives a horrific event and, years later, is asked to investigate the casino that may have caused it. The supernatural elements are imaginative and fun; the horror is gruesome; and Vera's journey is worth every minute. #booksky
October 10, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Reposted by Susan
The way Ookwemin Minising is bouncing back as soon as the colonizing dirt is scraped off feels like the kind of metaphor that gets so big it becomes reality. I hope it does.

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Creatures buried in soil for over a century burst back to life in Toronto waterfront
A project to restore coastal wetland leads to astonishing discoveries of a host of life: seeds and plant scraps, as well as water fleas, worms, larvae and plankton
www.theguardian.com
October 9, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Book 54 of 2025 📚💙 From the Rez to the Runway by Christian Allaire, a memoir about achieving his dream of becoming a fashion journalist for Vogue. It's a story of fortunate timing, sacrifices and risks, and, above all, Indigenous joy. Refreshing to read a (mostly) happy memoir. #booksky
October 6, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Book 53 of 2025 📚💙 Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner, who navigates the grief of losing her mother through their shared love of food. Her descriptions of food are so vivid that I could smell and taste it all while reading. It lost momentum in the middle for me, but ended on a strong note. #booksky
October 3, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Reposted by Susan
The seat-stealer

Your tea is already cold by now, why disturb kitty's slumber? A very cozy reading nook in a very cozy witch's cabin with a VERY cozy cat.

#witchkitty #cozyoccult

thegorgonist.etsy.com/listing/4378...
September 29, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Wish I could say I intentionally planted these asters, but they were part of a wildflower seed mix from last year that I didn't even know contained asters until this August. But here they are, taking the spotlight now that most other flowers are dying back, and the bumblebees love them. #plantsky
September 28, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Book 52 of 2025 📚💙 Mandelbrot the Magnificent by Liz Ziemska, a fictionalized autobiography of the mathematician in which he combines math with his Jewish faith to rescue his family during WWII. The magic system is unique and fascinating to watch unfold on the page in complex equations. #booksky
September 28, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Book 51 of 2025 📚💙Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, one I missed in all my years of English classes. A weird story, as unsettling today as it was in its own time (though perhaps for different reasons). Huxley, like Orwell, seemed to understand the state of "Western" society a bit too well. #booksky
September 24, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Reposted by Susan
I'm being so real right now, learn how to engage in media as art and not a reflection of your own real life morals. consume things that make you uncomfortable and understand why it makes you uncomfortable. Don't just base yours and others morals standings on the media you consume.
September 22, 2025 at 2:47 AM
Book 50 of 2025 📚💙 The Space Cat by Nnedi Okorafor, a fun graphic novel about the adventures of Periwinkle, the author's cat who has a secret life racing his spaceship through the cosmos. The artwork is vibrant and detailed, and the story is a charming one for readers young and old. #booksky
The Space Cat
Invaders from outer space have descended on Nigeria. They have no idea whose home they're messing with.Ah, yes, the luxurious life of a well-loved cat. It’...
us.macmillan.com
September 21, 2025 at 9:18 PM