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Susan Marie Swanson

@susanmarieswanson.bsky.social

620 followers 500 following 240 posts

Poet, writer. Work for children & for adults. *The House in the Night* (Caldecott Medal, Minnesota Book Award, Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the 21st Century). Hiking shoes.

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Susan Marie Swanson @susanmarieswanson.bsky.social · 1d

Social media break. (Not pictured: book manuscript, grandchildren, volunteer projects, hiking shoes.)

Books laid out on the floor. *Pythian pratar* by Liv Strömquist, *Scorched Earth* by Tiana Clark, *Solutions for the Problems of Bodies in Space* by Catherine Barnett, *We Do Not Part* by Han Kan, and *Bleak House* by Charles Dickens.

Susan Marie Swanson @susanmarieswanson.bsky.social · 1d

Social media break. (Not pictured: book manuscript, grandchildren, volunteer projects, hiking shoes.)

Reposted by Susan Marie Swanson

Meg Reid 🦦 @megireid.bsky.social · 1d

In an age of rising fascism and tyranny-via-Medbed-meme, the truth is that fun is probably too much to ask for. Today’s literary culture is obviously more imperiled than it was when The New Republic first became a Nobel analysis outfit a decade ago. Subtle and blunt-force censorship is on the rise everywhere, and more people are spending more money than ever on technologies that claim to make art, definitely don’t make art, harvest art’s raw materials, and are ultimately invested in the project of destroying art altogether. They won’t win, but they’re damaging and extremely tiresome. Which is all to say that as much as we’d prefer to make jokes about @krasznahorguy1954, we have to acknowledge that, in the age of ChatGPT, there is almost something heroic about never shutting the fuck up about The Melancholy of Resistance. The Nobel Prize got it right, and literary life is far better for having the Nobel be a part of it, as esoteric, imperfect, and eerily Swedish as it might be

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Susan Marie Swanson @susanmarieswanson.bsky.social · 2d

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Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · 2d

I spoke to another pastor after publication, Rev. David Swanson.

He's only been to the facility once (last Friday), and wasn't shot w/pepper balls.

Instead, he says senior Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino just walked up to him — in full clerical garb — and began shoving.

He put it this way:

I've been at many protests in our city over the years for a variety of different things, in my clergy attire, desiring to be a presence for peace in situations that can get volatile, desiring to be a person who different sides can be able to approach and talk with and have conversations with. I do think this is one of the important roles that faith leaders can play in contentious public situations.

This was the first time that I felt like there was absolutely no regard and no respect for a person who was visibly associated with the faith tradition. It did not seem like it made one iota of difference.

Reposted by Susan Marie Swanson

Gabe Ortíz @tusk81.bsky.social · 2d

“Pope Leo XIV’s eyes grew misty Wednesday as an El Paso delegation led by Bishop Mark Seitz presented him letters and a video that captured the fears and anxieties of people facing mass deportation in the United States …”

The church “cannot be silent,” Pope Leo said.

Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · 2d

Oh — new reporting on Pope Leo from El Paso Matters, citing footage they have of yesterday's meeting.

Sounds like the pope was even *more* forceful in urging U.S. bishops to speak out about immigration than first reported.

I mean, that's…not subtle. elpasomatters.org/2025/10/08/e...

“I was struck at the beginning (of the video), it talks about the feeling of powerlessness, which I think is so much. I think it’s so important that we as a church give a message of hope in the midst of these horrible struggles, what’s going on in so many cities in the United States right now. At least the church cannot be silent,” the pope told the El Pasoans, according to a video of the meeting provided to El Paso Matters by Hope Border Institute.

Seitz responded: “You’ve spoken very strongly. We’re trying to do the same in our country and yet not get into the political fray the best that we can.”

Pope Leo told Seitz that he’d like to see the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops become more vocal on immigration issues.

“I mean, even within the conference, there are challenges. That’s one place they should be … I wish they were stronger in their own voice,” Leo said, adding that Archbishop Timothy Broglio, the president of the conference, should speak out more on immigration.

“There’s been some good movement in that sense, but I certainly intend to continue to encourage” U.S. bishops to address immigration, Leo said.

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Viv Schwarz @vivschwarz.bsky.social · 4d

This prime day, why not make a zine from bits of paper around the house and bits of thought around the head

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Susan Marie Swanson @susanmarieswanson.bsky.social · 4d

Speaking of reading, I'm looking forward to Charles Dickens's *Bleak House* with APS Together, beginning a week from today. Yiyun Li returns as host for this project organized by A Public Space. Slow reading--a chapter or two each day.
apublicspace.org/aps-together
apublicspace.org/aps-together...

Book cover of the Oxford World's Classics edition of *Bleak House* by Charles Dickens, with a dramatic black and white photo of an imposing building and a leafless tree.

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Jessica Lussenhop @jlussenhop.bsky.social · 4d

Well, today @deldeib.bsky.social has a very helpful explainer. Here's what an external review is, how it works, and how you can use it to help to get coverage of your own medical care: "Appeal, appeal, appeal, appeal... That’s all you have." www.propublica.org/article/heal...

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Susan Marie Swanson @susanmarieswanson.bsky.social · 5d

This Best of the Net nomination from the wonderful *Psaltery and Lyre* makes me so happy! My short essay, "Time Keeping," is here.

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Susan Marie Swanson @susanmarieswanson.bsky.social · 6d

Prayers for this young woman and for all who are working to discern and voice truth in this moment.

Susan Marie Swanson @susanmarieswanson.bsky.social · 6d

Today, this, which the Guardian has continued to update and rewrite over the past several hours.

Israel accused of detaining Greta Thunberg in infested cell and making her hold flags

Activist tells Swedish officials she has been subjected to harsh treatment, including insufficient food and water

www.theguardian.com

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Susan Marie Swanson @susanmarieswanson.bsky.social · 6d

Looking back at the first times Greta Thunberg appeared in *The Guardian,* I found this from seven years ago.

I'm striking from school to protest inaction on climate change – you should too | Greta Thunberg

Every Friday, I miss classes to sit outside my country’s parliament. I will continue to do so until leaders come into line with the Paris agreement

www.theguardian.com

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Bill McKibben @billmckibben.bsky.social · 9d

Jane Goodall was not only a pioneering primatologist, she also campaigned more relentlessly and selflessly for the natural world than anyone I know.

A great soul if ever there was one
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...

Jane Goodall, world-renowned primatologist, dies aged 91

Jane Goodall Institute says ‘tireless advocate’ for natural world died in California during US speaking tour

www.theguardian.com

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Jess Keating @jesskeatingbooks.bsky.social · 9d

You know this means we can't just *remember* her fondly, and be in awe of her tenacity about conservation.

It means we have to DO THINGS.
To speak up. To engage.
To teach and hope and drive forward with the knowledge that we all have a role to play to protect the only planet we'd have.

We must.

Jess Keating @jesskeatingbooks.bsky.social · 9d

An inspiration for my entire life.
Thank you Jane, for your wisdom, your intelligence, your heart, and your sheer guts.

We'll try to carry on and make you proud.

💙 1934-2025

Jane Goodall, absolute queen of conservation, sitting happily next to a chimpanzee.

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Reposted by Susan Marie Swanson

Paul Byrne @theplanetaryguy.bsky.social · 17d

A new JWST image, showing the star-forming region Sagittarius B2.

Open up the image and lose yourself in the stars...

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Reposted by Susan Marie Swanson

Molly Coleman @mollycoleman.bsky.social · 17d

There is simply an incredible amount of good, inspiring work happening in Saint Paul and it makes me so excited.

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Susan Marie Swanson @susanmarieswanson.bsky.social · 19d

*Pumpkinhead*!!! I reviewed that picture book for the New York Times. It cracks me up to see that my review of a favorite weird book is quoted from (generously) on Eric Rohmann's website.

Reposted by Susan Marie Swanson

Paul Byrne @theplanetaryguy.bsky.social · Nov 24

Open this photo up and look for the small, white dot just left of centre.

It looks like Venus, shining brightly in the twilight sky.

But it's us.

It's Earth.

From Mars.

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David Naimon @davidnaimon.bsky.social · 26d

I'm over the moon that Arthur Sze has been named our 25th U.S. Poet Laureate. Arthur was on the show for his new & collected The Glass Constellation and we looked back across his life as a poet in honor of it.
ICYMI: 📻 tinhouse.com/podcast/arth...
@coppercanyonpress.bsky.social

Arthur Sze : The Glass Constellation : New & Collected Poems - Tin House

Arthur Sze, winner of the 2019 National Book Award in Poetry for Sight Lines, joins David Naimon to discuss his latest book, The Glass Constellation: New and Collected Poems. Together they step back t...

tinhouse.com

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Susan Marie Swanson @susanmarieswanson.bsky.social · Sep 3

Looking forward to @katnuernberger.bsky.social's November book. (And I like pre-orders because when publication time comes, it's like getting a present!)

Sarabande Books @sarabandebooks.bsky.social · Sep 3

✨COVER REVEAL!✨ Next up on our Fall/Winter list is HELD: ESSAYS IN BELONGING by Kathryn Nuernberger (@katnuernberger.bsky.social), available November 2025 just in time for the holidays!

🔗 Preorder link in bio!

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Molly Coleman @mollycoleman.bsky.social · Sep 1

Truly the coolest person I know.

www.startribune.com/how-she-spen...

How she spent her summer: St. Paul girl, 11, tackles epic mountain bike trail on Continental Divide

Molly Ehlers and her father cycled nearly 2,500 miles on a legendary, rugged route.

www.startribune.com

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Cheryl B. Klein @cherylklein.bsky.social · Aug 30

Kelly is being modest here but her book is called THE OGRESS AND THE ORPHANS and it was nominated for the National Book Award! An excellent read on this long weekend!

Kelly Barnhill @kellybarnhill.bsky.social · Aug 30

Once upon a time, I wrote a novel for children whose villain, many people said, eerily resembled the vibe of Donald Trump. And maybe he did and maybe he didn't - all tyrants sound pretty much the same, if you ask me. And he fell the way most tyrants do: not with a bang, but a whimper. Specifically:

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Susan Marie Swanson @susanmarieswanson.bsky.social · Aug 30

My granddaughter is going to miss it so much! She has kept a collection of issues and has even sent them fan mail.

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Kate Schapira @kateschapira.bsky.social · Aug 29

It's Don't Argue Inside Your Head With Other People Friday. Today, if you wish, practice gently stopping the argument you're having inside yr head w/someone who's not present, or who it's not safe or not fair for you to argue with. Do this as many times as you need--you'll get better at it each time

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Tina Smith @smith.senate.gov · Aug 28

“Do not offer thoughts and prayers as you systemically enable such tragedies. Do not claim prayers are sufficient when children die as they pray. Do not pretend you do not understand.”

— Lydia, 16, Minneapolis

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Bill Lindeke @blindeke.bsky.social · Aug 26

The cars :: cigarettes parallel has legs.

Tom Flood @tomflood.bsky.social · Aug 25

Nice to see some more on this @visionzerovancouver.ca billboard momentummag.com/vision-zero-...

An outdoor billboard on the side of a building that says smoking tables next used to non-smoking tables used to be normal to - image of a child in a painted bike lane next tot a truck

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