The Bookwench 🇨🇦🐱🏳️🌈
@shiftercat.bsky.social
Another cis feminist for trans rights. She/her. Not quite a crone. Bad-faith arguments get you muted, slurs get you blocked. I repost a lot of geekery, some of it NSFW.
https://linktr.ee/shiftercat
https://linktr.ee/shiftercat
Pinned
Beginning a master thread of reference threads. Expect more additions in the future.
Until Bluesky has a Pin function, I may have to bookmark this manually.
Until Bluesky has a Pin function, I may have to bookmark this manually.
Reposted by The Bookwench 🇨🇦🐱🏳️🌈
At this point, I think the entire publishing industry needs to have a serious conversation about the degree to which the last 15 years have increasingly seen book promo become an online venture, and what that means now that entire social media and digital platforms are getting torched overnight. 🧵
The WaPo cuts are devastating. And to cut the Books section entirely makes the already bleak critical landscape even more bare. This was all preventable but Bezos, who could find the post I perpetuity without noticing it, is hellbent on destroying the Post. And for what?
February 5, 2026 at 6:02 AM
At this point, I think the entire publishing industry needs to have a serious conversation about the degree to which the last 15 years have increasingly seen book promo become an online venture, and what that means now that entire social media and digital platforms are getting torched overnight. 🧵
Reposted by The Bookwench 🇨🇦🐱🏳️🌈
As an aside, Rachel is a legend. (From Fischer’s “African Founders”)
February 4, 2026 at 1:02 PM
As an aside, Rachel is a legend. (From Fischer’s “African Founders”)
Reposted by The Bookwench 🇨🇦🐱🏳️🌈
Love it! 🥇🇭🇹
alt-text: a Black man and woman model the 2026 winter Olympic outfits designed by Italian-Haitian designer Stella Jean.
Inspired by Édouard Duval-Carrié, a blue sky, lush greenery, and a horse are painted onto quilted thermal ski fabric. The woman wears matching headwrap & full skirt.
alt-text: a Black man and woman model the 2026 winter Olympic outfits designed by Italian-Haitian designer Stella Jean.
Inspired by Édouard Duval-Carrié, a blue sky, lush greenery, and a horse are painted onto quilted thermal ski fabric. The woman wears matching headwrap & full skirt.
THE LEWKS ARE IN!! Dressed in Sella Jean originals, the Haitian athletes are making a statement at the Milan Cortina Winter Games.
More on #HelloBeautiful://hellobeautiful.com" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">HelloBeautiful.com
More on #HelloBeautiful://hellobeautiful.com" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">HelloBeautiful.com
February 5, 2026 at 2:20 AM
Love it! 🥇🇭🇹
alt-text: a Black man and woman model the 2026 winter Olympic outfits designed by Italian-Haitian designer Stella Jean.
Inspired by Édouard Duval-Carrié, a blue sky, lush greenery, and a horse are painted onto quilted thermal ski fabric. The woman wears matching headwrap & full skirt.
alt-text: a Black man and woman model the 2026 winter Olympic outfits designed by Italian-Haitian designer Stella Jean.
Inspired by Édouard Duval-Carrié, a blue sky, lush greenery, and a horse are painted onto quilted thermal ski fabric. The woman wears matching headwrap & full skirt.
Reposted by The Bookwench 🇨🇦🐱🏳️🌈
Our founders, though deeply flawed, understood that democracy requires an informed citizenry and a government accountable to it people. That’s why the press is the only profession protected by the Constitution. It’s also why autocrats and oligarchs seek to control and destroy it.
February 4, 2026 at 8:58 PM
Our founders, though deeply flawed, understood that democracy requires an informed citizenry and a government accountable to it people. That’s why the press is the only profession protected by the Constitution. It’s also why autocrats and oligarchs seek to control and destroy it.
Reposted by The Bookwench 🇨🇦🐱🏳️🌈
“burn the entire democracy down and start over” is an opinion equivalent to “apocalyptic times are good because the rapture is coming and I’ll go to heaven” in that it’s a way people give themselves permission to do none of the complex and difficult things that would make things a little better now
February 4, 2026 at 9:20 PM
“burn the entire democracy down and start over” is an opinion equivalent to “apocalyptic times are good because the rapture is coming and I’ll go to heaven” in that it’s a way people give themselves permission to do none of the complex and difficult things that would make things a little better now
Reposted by The Bookwench 🇨🇦🐱🏳️🌈
Most of the footage you see from ICE observers in Minnesota comes from the core cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. I talked to observers in the northern suburbs, who say they're taking on the same mission in very different conditions. (1)
share.google/ei9giIFLsuEJ...
share.google/ei9giIFLsuEJ...
Pursued by federal agents, suburban ICE observers remain resolved
After a frightening pursuit by federal agents, suburban ICE observers say fear hasn’t stopped them from protecting their communities.
share.google
February 4, 2026 at 3:31 PM
Most of the footage you see from ICE observers in Minnesota comes from the core cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. I talked to observers in the northern suburbs, who say they're taking on the same mission in very different conditions. (1)
share.google/ei9giIFLsuEJ...
share.google/ei9giIFLsuEJ...
Reposted by The Bookwench 🇨🇦🐱🏳️🌈
ICE at the polls! Bannon is basically yelling “fire” in a crowded theater here. His objective is to cause chaos (and suppress votes on the left). And it’s already working.
This threat works on multiple levels and doesn’t have to be “real” to serve its purpose.
Let me explain & offer some advice.
This threat works on multiple levels and doesn’t have to be “real” to serve its purpose.
Let me explain & offer some advice.
Steve Bannon says the federal government is planning to send ICE officers to patrol polling stations during the midterms.
"We're going to have ICE surround the polls come November."
"We're not going to sit here and allow you to steal the country again." www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
"We're going to have ICE surround the polls come November."
"We're not going to sit here and allow you to steal the country again." www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
Steve Bannon says ICE will ‘surround the polls’ as Trump doubles down on taking over elections
Trump doubled down on his comments to nationalize voting Tuesday during an Oval Office press conference. “If you think about it, a state is an agent for the federal government in elections,” Trump sai...
www.democracydocket.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:13 PM
ICE at the polls! Bannon is basically yelling “fire” in a crowded theater here. His objective is to cause chaos (and suppress votes on the left). And it’s already working.
This threat works on multiple levels and doesn’t have to be “real” to serve its purpose.
Let me explain & offer some advice.
This threat works on multiple levels and doesn’t have to be “real” to serve its purpose.
Let me explain & offer some advice.
Reposted by The Bookwench 🇨🇦🐱🏳️🌈
I am hearing folks who have never been involved in putting together a protest or protecting one talking about how silly and frivolous "opsec" concerns are, and I want to say directly: you have no idea what you are talking about.
People have been killed for getting made famous by the press.
People have been killed for getting made famous by the press.
February 3, 2026 at 2:42 PM
I am hearing folks who have never been involved in putting together a protest or protecting one talking about how silly and frivolous "opsec" concerns are, and I want to say directly: you have no idea what you are talking about.
People have been killed for getting made famous by the press.
People have been killed for getting made famous by the press.
Reposted by The Bookwench 🇨🇦🐱🏳️🌈
I have a friend who illustrates children's books and if hes given a book and it doesn't explicitly mention both a Mum and a Dad... They're gay. The book mentions a Dad? He's drawing two. The book mentions a Mum? Let's double up. Everything is gay until proven otherwise and he will illustrate as such
live from the chaos house, we have determined that the Gruffalo is gay because the Gruffalo's child does not mention a mummy gruffalo idk
February 4, 2026 at 6:56 PM
I have a friend who illustrates children's books and if hes given a book and it doesn't explicitly mention both a Mum and a Dad... They're gay. The book mentions a Dad? He's drawing two. The book mentions a Mum? Let's double up. Everything is gay until proven otherwise and he will illustrate as such
Reposted by The Bookwench 🇨🇦🐱🏳️🌈
The French are taking none of Musk’s bullshit.
February 3, 2026 at 11:45 PM
The French are taking none of Musk’s bullshit.
Reposted by The Bookwench 🇨🇦🐱🏳️🌈
Reposted by The Bookwench 🇨🇦🐱🏳️🌈
I have been waiting for this book for years and genuinely believe it'll be the poetry collection of 2026. Don't believe me? Check out those endorsements!
Pre-order 'Folkish' now. Trust me. It's incredible. ninearchespress.com/publications...
Pre-order 'Folkish' now. Trust me. It's incredible. ninearchespress.com/publications...
February 4, 2026 at 10:08 AM
I have been waiting for this book for years and genuinely believe it'll be the poetry collection of 2026. Don't believe me? Check out those endorsements!
Pre-order 'Folkish' now. Trust me. It's incredible. ninearchespress.com/publications...
Pre-order 'Folkish' now. Trust me. It's incredible. ninearchespress.com/publications...
Reposted by The Bookwench 🇨🇦🐱🏳️🌈
I think when people think about "evil pedo billionaire conspiracy" they can often imagine it as working in the shadow one world government conspiracy theory sense, rather than how conspiracies actually work which looks more like The Traitors.
February 4, 2026 at 9:38 AM
I think when people think about "evil pedo billionaire conspiracy" they can often imagine it as working in the shadow one world government conspiracy theory sense, rather than how conspiracies actually work which looks more like The Traitors.
Reposted by The Bookwench 🇨🇦🐱🏳️🌈
I do believe in redemption. I believe that people can make mistakes, learn from them, and improve. But I also believe that there is work involved in self-improvement, whether it be therapy or redirection or...it's all therapy. It's just different ways of doing therapy. Humans are fancy animals.
February 3, 2026 at 5:17 PM
I do believe in redemption. I believe that people can make mistakes, learn from them, and improve. But I also believe that there is work involved in self-improvement, whether it be therapy or redirection or...it's all therapy. It's just different ways of doing therapy. Humans are fancy animals.
Reposted by The Bookwench 🇨🇦🐱🏳️🌈
Full on concentration camps. "We don't know half of what's going on in the camps, but we know enough" is echoing from 85 years ago.
Kelly Vargas writes about what happened to her, her husband, and their 6yo daughter in the family camp in Texas.
Filth, illness, medical abuse—her child has lasting complications from being injured by a staff member.
We don't know the half of what's happening in the camps, but we know enough.
Filth, illness, medical abuse—her child has lasting complications from being injured by a staff member.
We don't know the half of what's happening in the camps, but we know enough.
My Daughter Lived the Liam Ramos Nightmare. It Turned Out Worse for Us.
The constant threats took a toll on my health. My daughter’s health deteriorated even faster.
slate.com
February 3, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Full on concentration camps. "We don't know half of what's going on in the camps, but we know enough" is echoing from 85 years ago.
Reposted by The Bookwench 🇨🇦🐱🏳️🌈
This guy needs to be AG when it's time. Also if you're new to Larry this is Unkillable Larry Krasner. Everyone has come for Larry. They tried to impeach Larry. Larry still stands and he is gonna relish this shit
Philidelphia DA Larry Krasner warns ICE: If an agent commits crimes in Philly, I will charge you. You will be arrested. You will stand trial, and you will be convicted in state or federal court and you will do your time. Donald Trump can't pardon you for a state court conviction.
February 4, 2026 at 2:26 AM
This guy needs to be AG when it's time. Also if you're new to Larry this is Unkillable Larry Krasner. Everyone has come for Larry. They tried to impeach Larry. Larry still stands and he is gonna relish this shit
Reposted by The Bookwench 🇨🇦🐱🏳️🌈
"power holds no value unless it is exercised"
I wrote about Minnesota and ICE and how average Americans are reclaiming the power that the administration is abusing.
www.pbump.net/o/this-is-wh...
www.pbump.net/o/this-is-wh...
February 4, 2026 at 4:06 AM
"power holds no value unless it is exercised"
Reposted by The Bookwench 🇨🇦🐱🏳️🌈
"you don’t defeat authoritarians by being more reasonable. You defeat them by being more determined and by uniting the country against their most visible vulnerability: their corruption. History won’t judge Democrats on whether they were moderate enough. It will judge them on whether they fought"
This @bostonreview.bsky.social piece by @adambonica.bsky.social and @jakemgrumbach.bsky.social is an absolute must-read, as are many of the responses to it.
Spread this one far and wide.
Spread this one far and wide.
How Not to Defeat Authoritarianism
Moderation used to help Democrats win, but its advantages now have been greatly exaggerated.
www.bostonreview.net
February 3, 2026 at 5:10 PM
"you don’t defeat authoritarians by being more reasonable. You defeat them by being more determined and by uniting the country against their most visible vulnerability: their corruption. History won’t judge Democrats on whether they were moderate enough. It will judge them on whether they fought"
Reposted by The Bookwench 🇨🇦🐱🏳️🌈
What I think keeps getting lost I'm The Discourse is that there is a difference between disagreeing with a tactic (strategically or even on moral principle) and *endangering* the folks engaged in that tactic.
February 4, 2026 at 2:02 AM
What I think keeps getting lost I'm The Discourse is that there is a difference between disagreeing with a tactic (strategically or even on moral principle) and *endangering* the folks engaged in that tactic.
Reposted by The Bookwench 🇨🇦🐱🏳️🌈
A grandma hasn't been able to get aid from the usual places-still closed. She's got a neuro disease and arthritis. She spent 25+ years cleaning homes. Is waiting on disability and TANF for the 5 kids she feeds and clothes
If you can give $1, $2, $3 $20
#MutualAid #DC #payitforward
If you can give $1, $2, $3 $20
#MutualAid #DC #payitforward
January 31, 2026 at 6:18 PM
A grandma hasn't been able to get aid from the usual places-still closed. She's got a neuro disease and arthritis. She spent 25+ years cleaning homes. Is waiting on disability and TANF for the 5 kids she feeds and clothes
If you can give $1, $2, $3 $20
#MutualAid #DC #payitforward
If you can give $1, $2, $3 $20
#MutualAid #DC #payitforward
Reposted by The Bookwench 🇨🇦🐱🏳️🌈
Folks:
This is important.
SHEAR—the Society for Historians of the Early American Republic (a GREAT organization)—is tracking examples of the regime erasing history.
More at the link below.
This is important.
SHEAR—the Society for Historians of the Early American Republic (a GREAT organization)—is tracking examples of the regime erasing history.
More at the link below.
Please circulate and share this important resource: thepanorama.shear.org/2025/04/09/t...
The Early Republic Tracker
The Early Republic Tracker documents instances where the federal government is removing facts and stories essential to the public’s understanding American history from public historical sites, muse…
thepanorama.shear.org
February 2, 2026 at 10:55 PM
Folks:
This is important.
SHEAR—the Society for Historians of the Early American Republic (a GREAT organization)—is tracking examples of the regime erasing history.
More at the link below.
This is important.
SHEAR—the Society for Historians of the Early American Republic (a GREAT organization)—is tracking examples of the regime erasing history.
More at the link below.
Reposted by The Bookwench 🇨🇦🐱🏳️🌈
Here's a whole WEBSITE of people both more needing and more helpful. GO! Go buy THEM things! I literally bought a dashcam and a SD card two nights ago cause I felt compelled to do SOMETHING.
crazy that the website that I randomly decided to put together at 10AM yesterday has had over 25k unique visitors in 24 hours.
please keep sharing with your networks.
please keep sharing with your networks.
Stand With Minnesota
A directory of places to give to as Minnesota defends itself from ICE occupation
www.standwithminnesota.com
January 18, 2026 at 2:14 AM
Here's a whole WEBSITE of people both more needing and more helpful. GO! Go buy THEM things! I literally bought a dashcam and a SD card two nights ago cause I felt compelled to do SOMETHING.
Reposted by The Bookwench 🇨🇦🐱🏳️🌈
In 2020 @totallydonna.kitrocha.com & I started a trilogy about 3 book nerds (w/ superpowers) who just want to build a library for their community but shitty tech bros suck so they have to keep doing crimes.
Tor was kind enough to put book one on sale for $5.99!
www.kitrocha.com/book/deal-wi...
Tor was kind enough to put book one on sale for $5.99!
www.kitrocha.com/book/deal-wi...
February 3, 2026 at 10:17 PM
In 2020 @totallydonna.kitrocha.com & I started a trilogy about 3 book nerds (w/ superpowers) who just want to build a library for their community but shitty tech bros suck so they have to keep doing crimes.
Tor was kind enough to put book one on sale for $5.99!
www.kitrocha.com/book/deal-wi...
Tor was kind enough to put book one on sale for $5.99!
www.kitrocha.com/book/deal-wi...
Reposted by The Bookwench 🇨🇦🐱🏳️🌈
hey remember when I got shit on for years for trying to warn people that GamerGate was just Nazis and not just about harassing women and not just about some “consumer revolt”
The Epstein files reveal what powerful people see in video games: profit, coercion, and control
aftermath.site/jeffrey-epstei...
aftermath.site/jeffrey-epstei...
February 3, 2026 at 9:47 PM
hey remember when I got shit on for years for trying to warn people that GamerGate was just Nazis and not just about harassing women and not just about some “consumer revolt”