Liz Bourke
@hawkwinglb.bsky.social
Ph.D Classics. Reviews @ Reactor Magazine (ex. Tor.com) and Locus Magazine.
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hawkwing_lb
Wordpress: https://lizbourke.wordpress.com
Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@hawkwing_lb
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hawkwing_lb
Wordpress: https://lizbourke.wordpress.com
Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@hawkwing_lb
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Liz Bourke
@hawkwinglb.bsky.social
· Nov 9
κῆπος τῶν βιβλιοθηκῶν | a garden from the libraries
Liz Bourke: books, history, writing, and culture.
lizbourke.wordpress.com
Hello, new followers! I write reviews of science fiction and fantasy novels for @locusmag.bsky.social and for @reactorsff.bsky.social. On my blog lizbourke.wordpress.com/news-and-upd..., I write about the nonfiction I've been reading lately, and the occasional deeper dive on some aspect of SFF.
These are pictures of an experimental baked blueberry almond white chocolate cheesecake. I have no idea how it tastes - no eating until after dinner - but it looks about right.
November 25, 2025 at 4:47 PM
These are pictures of an experimental baked blueberry almond white chocolate cheesecake. I have no idea how it tastes - no eating until after dinner - but it looks about right.
Reposted by Liz Bourke
Similarly, I'm going to avoid "consumer" when I mean "audience" or "reader" or "viewer." There's an overtone to that word, like a book is no different from pasta or a car, that I find invidious: we all just exist to be marketed to, not to experience things.
November 23, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Similarly, I'm going to avoid "consumer" when I mean "audience" or "reader" or "viewer." There's an overtone to that word, like a book is no different from pasta or a car, that I find invidious: we all just exist to be marketed to, not to experience things.
Reposted by Liz Bourke
Inspired by someone elsewhere, I hereby vow to try to avoid the terms "content" and "content creator," unless I *must* talk about work across so many fields that a generic term is the only one that will suffice. Let's not reduce art, criticism, journalism, etc. to an undifferentiated smear of Stuff.
November 23, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Inspired by someone elsewhere, I hereby vow to try to avoid the terms "content" and "content creator," unless I *must* talk about work across so many fields that a generic term is the only one that will suffice. Let's not reduce art, criticism, journalism, etc. to an undifferentiated smear of Stuff.
Reposted by Liz Bourke
Yes, please. The word "content" reduces complex art and discourse to a status that justifies their use as fodder for the "AI" maw.
And we should consider the phrase "content creator" offensive for that reason.
And we should consider the phrase "content creator" offensive for that reason.
Inspired by someone elsewhere, I hereby vow to try to avoid the terms "content" and "content creator," unless I *must* talk about work across so many fields that a generic term is the only one that will suffice. Let's not reduce art, criticism, journalism, etc. to an undifferentiated smear of Stuff.
November 23, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Yes, please. The word "content" reduces complex art and discourse to a status that justifies their use as fodder for the "AI" maw.
And we should consider the phrase "content creator" offensive for that reason.
And we should consider the phrase "content creator" offensive for that reason.
Reposted by Liz Bourke
put this story at the top of the @globalvoices.org newsletter selection this week for some creativity and hopefulness globalvoices.org/2025/11/20/i...
In Guadeloupe, creativity in the service of zero waste
From citizen initiatives and artistic engagement to public policies, Guadeloupe is reinventing itself, turning waste into a resource — but there is still an urgent need to improve waste recovery chann...
globalvoices.org
November 23, 2025 at 10:28 PM
put this story at the top of the @globalvoices.org newsletter selection this week for some creativity and hopefulness globalvoices.org/2025/11/20/i...
Reposted by Liz Bourke
Modi’s government had a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, killed in British Columbia two years ago but apparently India is the world’s fifth largest economy and that means big new opportunities for Canadian workers and businesses.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and I met at the G20 Summit today, and launched negotiations for a trade deal that could more than double our trade to $70 billion.
India is the world’s fifth largest economy, and that means big new opportunities for Canadian workers and businesses.
India is the world’s fifth largest economy, and that means big new opportunities for Canadian workers and businesses.
November 23, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Modi’s government had a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, killed in British Columbia two years ago but apparently India is the world’s fifth largest economy and that means big new opportunities for Canadian workers and businesses.
Reposted by Liz Bourke
“The rules on family reunification – where members of a successful asylum seeker’s family can be granted permission to join them in Ireland – would be tightened and limited to immediate family members only” Again, this is already the law, FG/Lab government ended FR for extended family in 2015!
Concern over ‘pull’ factors prompts Government to tighten asylum rules
Concern over ‘pull’ factors prompts Government to tighten asylum rules
Further changes likely in response to UK’s strict new regime, sources say
www.irishtimes.com
November 23, 2025 at 9:59 PM
“The rules on family reunification – where members of a successful asylum seeker’s family can be granted permission to join them in Ireland – would be tightened and limited to immediate family members only” Again, this is already the law, FG/Lab government ended FR for extended family in 2015!
Reposted by Liz Bourke
This week's Sunday snippet comes from Enchanting the Fae Queen, which arrives in just over 2 months. Preorder here:
stephanieburgis.com/books/enchanting-the-fae-queen
And if you haven't read the 1st fantasy rom-com in this series, grab that now: stephanieburgis.com/books/wooing-the-witch-queen
stephanieburgis.com/books/enchanting-the-fae-queen
And if you haven't read the 1st fantasy rom-com in this series, grab that now: stephanieburgis.com/books/wooing-the-witch-queen
November 23, 2025 at 2:47 PM
This week's Sunday snippet comes from Enchanting the Fae Queen, which arrives in just over 2 months. Preorder here:
stephanieburgis.com/books/enchanting-the-fae-queen
And if you haven't read the 1st fantasy rom-com in this series, grab that now: stephanieburgis.com/books/wooing-the-witch-queen
stephanieburgis.com/books/enchanting-the-fae-queen
And if you haven't read the 1st fantasy rom-com in this series, grab that now: stephanieburgis.com/books/wooing-the-witch-queen
Reposted by Liz Bourke
It’s that time again… 👀 🎄
If you are a business or creator and you’d like to donate something to our Christmas giveaway please do drop us an email at [email protected]
We’ve got most of it covered but always grateful for such things 🥰
If you are a business or creator and you’d like to donate something to our Christmas giveaway please do drop us an email at [email protected]
We’ve got most of it covered but always grateful for such things 🥰
November 22, 2025 at 5:25 PM
It’s that time again… 👀 🎄
If you are a business or creator and you’d like to donate something to our Christmas giveaway please do drop us an email at [email protected]
We’ve got most of it covered but always grateful for such things 🥰
If you are a business or creator and you’d like to donate something to our Christmas giveaway please do drop us an email at [email protected]
We’ve got most of it covered but always grateful for such things 🥰
Reposted by Liz Bourke
you'd think the forced displacement of 10 million people from one of the oldest centres of civilisation in human history would get a little more news attention than beltway journalists writing essays on how Olivia Nuzzi is a genius because they want to bone her and you'd be wrong
'Iran’s capital must be moved because the country “no longer has a choice,” President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday in remarks carried by state media, warning that severe ecological strain has made Tehran impossible to sustain'
#Iran 🇮🇷
#Iran 🇮🇷
Iran president says capital move now a necessity as water crisis deepens
Iran’s capital must be moved because the country “no longer has a choice,” President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday in remarks carried by state media, warning that severe ecological strain has mad...
www.iranintl.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:59 PM
you'd think the forced displacement of 10 million people from one of the oldest centres of civilisation in human history would get a little more news attention than beltway journalists writing essays on how Olivia Nuzzi is a genius because they want to bone her and you'd be wrong
Reposted by Liz Bourke
I live in (what I think I'm correct in saying is) the most diverse constituency in the whole country - Dublin Central, D1 - *and* I'm old enough to remember what this place was like before significant immigration, and the idea that immigration hasn't been good for this country is fucking laughable
November 21, 2025 at 7:01 PM
I live in (what I think I'm correct in saying is) the most diverse constituency in the whole country - Dublin Central, D1 - *and* I'm old enough to remember what this place was like before significant immigration, and the idea that immigration hasn't been good for this country is fucking laughable
Reposted by Liz Bourke
The Syrian Civil War saw 22% of its population become asylum seekers, that would be the equivalent of over 75 million Americans.
Even something more localized, like the Rohingya Genocide, turned 3% of Myanmar's population into refugees. That'd be akin to 10.3 million Americans refugees.
Even something more localized, like the Rohingya Genocide, turned 3% of Myanmar's population into refugees. That'd be akin to 10.3 million Americans refugees.
I'm not sure what plans Canada could form that would help them handle a serious American refugee crisis.
Another day where you have to wonder whether the Canadian and Mexican governments have prepared contingency plans to handle any regional fallout from serious civil disorder in the United States
November 21, 2025 at 2:26 PM
The Syrian Civil War saw 22% of its population become asylum seekers, that would be the equivalent of over 75 million Americans.
Even something more localized, like the Rohingya Genocide, turned 3% of Myanmar's population into refugees. That'd be akin to 10.3 million Americans refugees.
Even something more localized, like the Rohingya Genocide, turned 3% of Myanmar's population into refugees. That'd be akin to 10.3 million Americans refugees.
Reposted by Liz Bourke
hey man, i know you don't want to hear this, but:
if you want to "clean up" your parks you gotta get these people stable housing and income. for like 50% of homeless people a few thousand dollars worth of well-targeted resources is enough to get them "back on their feet."
if you want to "clean up" your parks you gotta get these people stable housing and income. for like 50% of homeless people a few thousand dollars worth of well-targeted resources is enough to get them "back on their feet."
"The longer visible signs of social decay are allowed to fester, the more inclined those with means will be to simply check out ... leaving those without the ability to relocate to deal with playgrounds littered with drug paraphernalia." www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Opinion: We have normalized delinquent, disorderly behaviour in our cities for too long
There is nothing normal about an encampment forcing toddlers in the daycare next door to stay inside
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:11 PM
hey man, i know you don't want to hear this, but:
if you want to "clean up" your parks you gotta get these people stable housing and income. for like 50% of homeless people a few thousand dollars worth of well-targeted resources is enough to get them "back on their feet."
if you want to "clean up" your parks you gotta get these people stable housing and income. for like 50% of homeless people a few thousand dollars worth of well-targeted resources is enough to get them "back on their feet."
Reposted by Liz Bourke
this isnt cranky, this is literally journalism 101. These people are not journalists they are corporate lackeys who use Word instead of Excel
while I’m being cranky, access journalism needs to go. When the president does his “I’m alpha because I insulted you” thing somebody needs to fall on his sword and say “what the fuck is wrong with you, old man?” on a hot mic. the hero of the wizard of Oz is Toto.
November 21, 2025 at 2:27 PM
this isnt cranky, this is literally journalism 101. These people are not journalists they are corporate lackeys who use Word instead of Excel
Reposted by Liz Bourke
The prominently displayed copy of General 'Sir' Mike Jackson's autobiography in the local Oxfam Books....
Once again, we are way too relaxed about the fact that "shooting Irish people is good actually" is a mainstream political position on the neighbouring island.
November 21, 2025 at 8:23 AM
The prominently displayed copy of General 'Sir' Mike Jackson's autobiography in the local Oxfam Books....
Reposted by Liz Bourke
Its quite striking to me the similarity with the no more jury judgements thing Labour wants to do how they say “criminals shouldn’t get juries“ when the reality is that its “people wouldn’t get juries“
Fixed it for you. Idiots! If the exclusion is based on appearance then it will certainly impact cis folks as well as trans folks.
November 21, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Its quite striking to me the similarity with the no more jury judgements thing Labour wants to do how they say “criminals shouldn’t get juries“ when the reality is that its “people wouldn’t get juries“
Reposted by Liz Bourke
my most butlerian jihad coded belief is that we should probably make it illegal – and more importantly, we should work toward a cultural consensus that it is immoral – to design a computer program whose interface uses the first person
November 21, 2025 at 1:21 PM
my most butlerian jihad coded belief is that we should probably make it illegal – and more importantly, we should work toward a cultural consensus that it is immoral – to design a computer program whose interface uses the first person
Reposted by Liz Bourke
I'm terribly sorry to have missed the launch but I've read the book and it's SO GOOD!
Yesterday evening marked the launch of @rflong.bsky.social's "The Lore of Silver" hosted by the @gutterbookshop.bsky.social)! Ruth was interviewed by @sarahreesbrennan.bsky.social about how the series came into being and intrigued us all. There are bodies, you should buy this book!
November 21, 2025 at 10:44 AM
I'm terribly sorry to have missed the launch but I've read the book and it's SO GOOD!
It was an excellent evening and is an excellent book.
Yesterday evening marked the launch of @rflong.bsky.social's "The Lore of Silver" hosted by the @gutterbookshop.bsky.social)! Ruth was interviewed by @sarahreesbrennan.bsky.social about how the series came into being and intrigued us all. There are bodies, you should buy this book!
November 21, 2025 at 2:18 PM
It was an excellent evening and is an excellent book.
Reposted by Liz Bourke
This is good. And awful. But good.
this week's newsletter is titled "aren't you tired of feeling insane all the time?" and I think it speaks for itself
it is also free to read
youngvulgarian.substack.com/p/arent-you-...
it is also free to read
youngvulgarian.substack.com/p/arent-you-...
November 21, 2025 at 1:27 PM
This is good. And awful. But good.
Reposted by Liz Bourke
The base of a 2,000 year old, Late Iron Age Durotrigian style Black Burnished Ware bowl from Winterborne Kingston #Dorset
A series of squiggles were scored into the fabric prior to firing - decoration, doodle or pot-makers mark?
📷 during cleaning in June 2013
#FindsFriday
A series of squiggles were scored into the fabric prior to firing - decoration, doodle or pot-makers mark?
📷 during cleaning in June 2013
#FindsFriday
November 21, 2025 at 7:40 AM
The base of a 2,000 year old, Late Iron Age Durotrigian style Black Burnished Ware bowl from Winterborne Kingston #Dorset
A series of squiggles were scored into the fabric prior to firing - decoration, doodle or pot-makers mark?
📷 during cleaning in June 2013
#FindsFriday
A series of squiggles were scored into the fabric prior to firing - decoration, doodle or pot-makers mark?
📷 during cleaning in June 2013
#FindsFriday
Reposted by Liz Bourke
THEY ARE DRUNK AND SILVER IS STOLEN is such a banger line for no reason
My favourite part of this ancient Assyrian letter to an ancient Assyrian goldsmith, is the last bit where the writer basically declares that the “house where they purify silver” absolutely does not pass the vibe check.
“They are drunk and silver is stolen”
“They are drunk and silver is stolen”
November 21, 2025 at 10:52 AM
THEY ARE DRUNK AND SILVER IS STOLEN is such a banger line for no reason
Reposted by Liz Bourke
Opportunity to work with other me on a funded PhD at Queens - may suit anyone interested in gender, history of the child and family in 20thC Ireland. Happy to chat to anyone thinking of it!
Funded PhD opportunities at QUB:
'Childcare provision in late twentieth-century Northern Ireland (1960s-1990s)'
www.qub.ac.uk/courses/post...
'Childcare provision in late twentieth-century Northern Ireland (1960s-1990s)'
www.qub.ac.uk/courses/post...
REF: DfEHIS - HIS-PHD | Courses | Queen's University Belfast
www.qub.ac.uk
November 21, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Opportunity to work with other me on a funded PhD at Queens - may suit anyone interested in gender, history of the child and family in 20thC Ireland. Happy to chat to anyone thinking of it!
Reposted by Liz Bourke
Ow.
You ever just sit down and realize that the rise of 21st century fascism is capital's answer to climate change?
November 21, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Ow.
Reposted by Liz Bourke
Before and after images show how Royal Canal Greenway between Maynooth and Leixlip boosts accesabilty between towns along waterway
Waterways Ireland has posted before-and-after images of the upgrade of the Royal Canal path between Maynooth and Leixlip, making the route more accessible for…
Waterways Ireland has posted before-and-after images of the upgrade of the Royal Canal path between Maynooth and Leixlip, making the route more accessible for…
Before and after images show how Royal Canal Greenway between Maynooth and Leixlip boosts accesabilty between towns along waterway
Waterways Ireland has posted before-and-after images of the upgrade of the Royal Canal path between Maynooth and Leixlip, making the route more accessible for bicycles, wheelchairs, mobility devices, and prams, as well as more usable in all weather and more suitable for commuting use. The 8.5km greenway includes road crossing points, surfacing described as suitable for all users, new access points, public lighting, and rest areas with benches, picnic facilities and a bike repair station.
irishcycle.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Before and after images show how Royal Canal Greenway between Maynooth and Leixlip boosts accesabilty between towns along waterway
Waterways Ireland has posted before-and-after images of the upgrade of the Royal Canal path between Maynooth and Leixlip, making the route more accessible for…
Waterways Ireland has posted before-and-after images of the upgrade of the Royal Canal path between Maynooth and Leixlip, making the route more accessible for…