Lorraine Boissoneault
@lodrinkswater.bsky.social
Writer, reader, Francophone, nerd. Fan of archaeology, dynamically disabled. Does the word thing for Smithsonian Mag, New Yorker, Great Lakes Now, YouTube science channels. Writing "Body Weather," a book about climate change & chronic illness
Reposted by Lorraine Boissoneault
A pair of snowy owls on the coast of Chicago
November 18, 2025 at 7:18 PM
A pair of snowy owls on the coast of Chicago
I've been thinking about this a lot over the last few weeks. And I'm so so thrilled at the election results from last night, but things in the Chicagoland area are still pretty dire. open.substack.com/pub/loboisso...
What's the point of protests?
On marching when everything feels like it's going wrong
open.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:29 PM
I've been thinking about this a lot over the last few weeks. And I'm so so thrilled at the election results from last night, but things in the Chicagoland area are still pretty dire. open.substack.com/pub/loboisso...
The whole thread is worth a read. Truly deplorable conditions at Broadview.
WOW. A federal judge says he's going to issue a Temporary Restraining Order requiring ICE to make changes at the Broadview facility in Chicago, a facility that until January was only for stays under 12 hours "absent exceptional circumstances," but has become, in Judge Gettleman's words, "a prison."
U.S. Robert Gettleman is now giving his thoughts. He says, "I think the evidence has been pretty strong that this facility is no longer just a temporary holding facility. …
"It has really become a prison."
"It has really become a prison."
November 5, 2025 at 2:03 AM
The whole thread is worth a read. Truly deplorable conditions at Broadview.
Reposted by Lorraine Boissoneault
When the Supreme Court allowed immigration agents to consider race during sweeps, Justice Brett Kavanaugh said that citizens shouldn’t worry because if they’re detained, agents will “promptly let the individual go.”
For these Americans, that wasn’t true.
For these Americans, that wasn’t true.
More Than 170 U.S. Citizens Have Been Held by Immigration Agents. They’ve Been Kicked, Dragged and Detained for Days.
The government does not track how often immigration agents grab citizens. So ProPublica did. Our tally — almost certainly incomplete — includes people who were held for days without a lawyer. And…
www.propublica.org
November 3, 2025 at 2:02 AM
When the Supreme Court allowed immigration agents to consider race during sweeps, Justice Brett Kavanaugh said that citizens shouldn’t worry because if they’re detained, agents will “promptly let the individual go.”
For these Americans, that wasn’t true.
For these Americans, that wasn’t true.
Had an absolutely wonderful conversation with @anjanakhatwa.bsky.social about her new book for @hypertextmagazine.bsky.social. Anyone who loves nature should pick it up--there's so much to learn about rocks and the ways they shape us. www.hypertextmag.com/listening-to...
Listening to and Learning From Rocks: An Interview With Anjana Khatwa - Hypertext Magazine
by Lorraine Boissoneault What do you see when you look at a rock? For geologist Anjana Khatwa, every rock is a reflection of the world and an opportunity for a relationship. In her stunning book The W...
www.hypertextmag.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Had an absolutely wonderful conversation with @anjanakhatwa.bsky.social about her new book for @hypertextmagazine.bsky.social. Anyone who loves nature should pick it up--there's so much to learn about rocks and the ways they shape us. www.hypertextmag.com/listening-to...
I'm sorry, what?? Just ... what?
The US military has struck two boats in the Pacific Ocean, killing several people, as Defense Secretary Hegseth promises the strikes will continue. Congress members say the Pentagon still hasn’t presented evidence justifying the attacks.
US Strikes Two Boats in Pacific Ocean as Hegseth Pledges “Strikes Will Continue, Day After Day”
Members of Congress say the Pentagon has still not provided any evidence to back justifications for the attacks.
buff.ly
October 23, 2025 at 7:21 PM
I'm sorry, what?? Just ... what?
Did I write this because I had a bad dream about my book coming out and no one reading it? Who can say. But also, Moby Dick is fun, actually.
open.substack.com/pub/loboisso...
open.substack.com/pub/loboisso...
God Keep Me From Ever Completing Anything
On final drafts, making peace with imperfection, and Moby Dick
open.substack.com
October 21, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Did I write this because I had a bad dream about my book coming out and no one reading it? Who can say. But also, Moby Dick is fun, actually.
open.substack.com/pub/loboisso...
open.substack.com/pub/loboisso...
Reposted by Lorraine Boissoneault
Photos: The No Kings protest drew massive crowds Downtown to decry President Trump. blockclubchi.co/4nir77h
October 20, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Photos: The No Kings protest drew massive crowds Downtown to decry President Trump. blockclubchi.co/4nir77h
Reposted by Lorraine Boissoneault
In solidarity with all those standing up for our communities against the brutality of immigrant detention and police repression, we put together an extensive reading list about border and police abolition.
Abolish the Border, Abolish the Police Reading List
In solidarity with all those standing up for our communities against the brutality of immigrant detention and police repression, we offer an extensive reading list about border and police ab...
www.haymarketbooks.org
October 16, 2025 at 1:38 AM
In solidarity with all those standing up for our communities against the brutality of immigrant detention and police repression, we put together an extensive reading list about border and police abolition.
Reposted by Lorraine Boissoneault
The No Kings March in Chicago is one of the largest gatherings I’ve seen here. Looking down from by the river, the crowd stretches for blocks down Michigan Ave and wraps around Wacker Dr. This video is from a few minutes ago and the end of the protest is nowhere in sight.
@blockclubchi.bsky.social
@blockclubchi.bsky.social
October 18, 2025 at 7:29 PM
The No Kings March in Chicago is one of the largest gatherings I’ve seen here. Looking down from by the river, the crowd stretches for blocks down Michigan Ave and wraps around Wacker Dr. This video is from a few minutes ago and the end of the protest is nowhere in sight.
@blockclubchi.bsky.social
@blockclubchi.bsky.social
I’ve been a little bummed that this article didn’t get more traction. Impossible to predict what will do well on Substack. Maybe others just figured out the secret to thriving art ecosystems before I did? open.substack.com/pub/loboisso...
How to Build an Artistic Ecosystem
On listening to Bach with a favorite writer friend
open.substack.com
October 16, 2025 at 3:53 PM
I’ve been a little bummed that this article didn’t get more traction. Impossible to predict what will do well on Substack. Maybe others just figured out the secret to thriving art ecosystems before I did? open.substack.com/pub/loboisso...
Things are pretty terrible in Chicago right now and I wrote about just a little bit of it. And because I must always be *on brand* I included a little bit about our unseasonal weather, too.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Hot-tober
On unseasonal temps, illegal raids, and violence as propaganda
substack.com
October 7, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Things are pretty terrible in Chicago right now and I wrote about just a little bit of it. And because I must always be *on brand* I included a little bit about our unseasonal weather, too.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Reposted by Lorraine Boissoneault
My husband was detained by ICE today
Juan Muñoz, an American citizen, father of 2, and local government official, was peacefully protesting w. other elected officials. He was assaulted and taken away
I have had zero contact or updates since
#SOS
@duckworth.senate.gov @durbin.senate.gov
Juan Muñoz, an American citizen, father of 2, and local government official, was peacefully protesting w. other elected officials. He was assaulted and taken away
I have had zero contact or updates since
#SOS
@duckworth.senate.gov @durbin.senate.gov
October 3, 2025 at 5:12 PM
My husband was detained by ICE today
Juan Muñoz, an American citizen, father of 2, and local government official, was peacefully protesting w. other elected officials. He was assaulted and taken away
I have had zero contact or updates since
#SOS
@duckworth.senate.gov @durbin.senate.gov
Juan Muñoz, an American citizen, father of 2, and local government official, was peacefully protesting w. other elected officials. He was assaulted and taken away
I have had zero contact or updates since
#SOS
@duckworth.senate.gov @durbin.senate.gov
My current thoughts on this book coming out:
AAAHHHHHHHHHH EEEEEEE YAYYYYY!
I’m such an eloquent writer.
AAAHHHHHHHHHH EEEEEEE YAYYYYY!
I’m such an eloquent writer.
It’s COVER REVEAL Friday for @lodrinkswater.bsky.social!
Written through the lens of chronic illness, BODY WEATHER traverses science, history & memoir to explore the interconnected relationships between the human body and Earth’s meteorology.
Out in April 2026!
Cover art: @kyrianna.bsky.social
Written through the lens of chronic illness, BODY WEATHER traverses science, history & memoir to explore the interconnected relationships between the human body and Earth’s meteorology.
Out in April 2026!
Cover art: @kyrianna.bsky.social
October 3, 2025 at 7:10 PM
My current thoughts on this book coming out:
AAAHHHHHHHHHH EEEEEEE YAYYYYY!
I’m such an eloquent writer.
AAAHHHHHHHHHH EEEEEEE YAYYYYY!
I’m such an eloquent writer.
I also want to reiterate how grateful I am for the support from @columbiajournalism.bsky.social for the Lukas Prize. It really helped me make my book the best it could be. And the Lukas Prizes are open for submissions again! journalism.columbia.edu/lukas
The J. Anthony Lukas Prize Project Awards | Columbia Journalism School
Established in 1998, the J. Anthony Lukas Prize Project Awards recognize excellence in nonfiction that exemplifies the literary grace and commitment to serious research and social concern that charact...
journalism.columbia.edu
September 23, 2025 at 3:20 PM
I also want to reiterate how grateful I am for the support from @columbiajournalism.bsky.social for the Lukas Prize. It really helped me make my book the best it could be. And the Lukas Prizes are open for submissions again! journalism.columbia.edu/lukas
I'm not sure I've come to fully coherent thoughts on cuts to the NEA, NEH, and CPB. But I'm seeing the effects within my communities, and they're scary. Art matters. Journalism matters. History matters. We need to find ways to sustain it.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Applying for Awards, Grants, and Residencies in the Worst of Times
On winning, losing, and the value of art under authoritarianism
substack.com
September 23, 2025 at 3:19 PM
I'm not sure I've come to fully coherent thoughts on cuts to the NEA, NEH, and CPB. But I'm seeing the effects within my communities, and they're scary. Art matters. Journalism matters. History matters. We need to find ways to sustain it.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Reposted by Lorraine Boissoneault
Here's my weekly must-reads list and some thoughts about Trump's AI slop post declaring war against Chicago. Trump is attempting to blur the line between reality and his fascist, annihilatory fantasies of control and domination. That means we, and the truth, must break free.
Must-Reads and the Fascist Fantasies We Refuse to Live In
"It is up to us, as everyday people, to decide who we are, and who we are to each other, in the face of these attacks."
organizingmythoughts.org
September 7, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Here's my weekly must-reads list and some thoughts about Trump's AI slop post declaring war against Chicago. Trump is attempting to blur the line between reality and his fascist, annihilatory fantasies of control and domination. That means we, and the truth, must break free.
I am not at the beach and I am probably not going to the beach this weekend, but that doesn't mean I can't read things that count as "beach reads!"
My list of some favorites from this summer, and a little on the strange history of beach books.
open.substack.com/pub/loboisso...
My list of some favorites from this summer, and a little on the strange history of beach books.
open.substack.com/pub/loboisso...
What's the Point of Summer Reading?
On beach reads, library programs, and what counts as "fun" reading
open.substack.com
August 30, 2025 at 9:29 PM
I am not at the beach and I am probably not going to the beach this weekend, but that doesn't mean I can't read things that count as "beach reads!"
My list of some favorites from this summer, and a little on the strange history of beach books.
open.substack.com/pub/loboisso...
My list of some favorites from this summer, and a little on the strange history of beach books.
open.substack.com/pub/loboisso...
There's been a lot of wildfire smoke in Chicago this year, coming down from Canada (worse, ofc, for the folks who live nearby in Canada). I'm always puzzled/annoyed by the phrasing "unhealthy for sensitive groups" so I decided to write about it.
open.substack.com/pub/loboisso...
open.substack.com/pub/loboisso...
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
On Canadian wildfires, autoimmune disease, and the air we share
open.substack.com
August 12, 2025 at 9:29 PM
There's been a lot of wildfire smoke in Chicago this year, coming down from Canada (worse, ofc, for the folks who live nearby in Canada). I'm always puzzled/annoyed by the phrasing "unhealthy for sensitive groups" so I decided to write about it.
open.substack.com/pub/loboisso...
open.substack.com/pub/loboisso...
Calling all Illinois #Covid-cautious people! Organizers are trying to get a bill into the state legislature that would protect the right to wear medical masks (and prevent future attempts at banning them). I interviewed one of those organizers here: open.substack.com/pub/loboisso...
Protecting the Right to Mask in Illinois: Q&A with Megan Doherty
On banning mask bans and community-led legislative efforts
open.substack.com
July 30, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Calling all Illinois #Covid-cautious people! Organizers are trying to get a bill into the state legislature that would protect the right to wear medical masks (and prevent future attempts at banning them). I interviewed one of those organizers here: open.substack.com/pub/loboisso...
Was this an excuse to write about my cat? Yes. But do I also think of him as a disability teacher? Yes. And I love his scruffy little face.
open.substack.com/pub/loboisso...
open.substack.com/pub/loboisso...
Lessons on Disability Learned from My Ancient Cat
On living well with multiple chronic conditions, whether you're a cat or a human
open.substack.com
July 15, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Was this an excuse to write about my cat? Yes. But do I also think of him as a disability teacher? Yes. And I love his scruffy little face.
open.substack.com/pub/loboisso...
open.substack.com/pub/loboisso...
Oh hey look, cute braces for exactly the joints I have that most need support!
I've opened pre-orders for all 4 designs in 3 of my patterns!! They're one size fits most. But if the sizing does not work for you. Please let me know and I may add more sizes depending on demand.
Please share this post since it could help someone! Thanks!
Details below!
Please share this post since it could help someone! Thanks!
Details below!
July 14, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Oh hey look, cute braces for exactly the joints I have that most need support!
This week’s newsletter is about ASL, deaf schools, and Alexander Graham Bell. All inspired by things I’ve learned from my Queer ASL class, one of my favorite weekly activities! open.substack.com/pub/loboisso...
Deaf schools, Alexander Graham Bell, and True Biz
On learning ASL and imagining a more inclusive world
open.substack.com
July 9, 2025 at 2:12 PM
This week’s newsletter is about ASL, deaf schools, and Alexander Graham Bell. All inspired by things I’ve learned from my Queer ASL class, one of my favorite weekly activities! open.substack.com/pub/loboisso...
Loved this book and it offered a lot of inspiration while writing my own book on weather and chronic illness!
Honest accounts of connecting with nature while living with (ongoing) illness/disability - complex & compelling - nuanced & inclusive.
Moving Mountains: Writing Nature Through illness & Disability from all good book shops - in UK, US, Canada, Australia & New Zealand
#NatureWriting #Memoir #Booksky
Moving Mountains: Writing Nature Through illness & Disability from all good book shops - in UK, US, Canada, Australia & New Zealand
#NatureWriting #Memoir #Booksky
MOVING MOUNTAINS: Writing Nature Through Illness & Disability launches in paperback on 6th March 2025!
You can preorder now from the usual places & do ask your local bookshop/library for a copy too. Available as an ebook/hardback now.
📚💚 #NatureWriting #Disability
uk.bookshop.org/p/books/movi...
You can preorder now from the usual places & do ask your local bookshop/library for a copy too. Available as an ebook/hardback now.
📚💚 #NatureWriting #Disability
uk.bookshop.org/p/books/movi...
July 6, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Loved this book and it offered a lot of inspiration while writing my own book on weather and chronic illness!
Reposted by Lorraine Boissoneault
By the numbers, this Senate bill:
➡️adds $3.3 trillion to the national debt, according to estimates.
➡️could cut up to 12 million people off of their health care coverage.
➡️provides $114 billion in tax cuts to the top one percent.
@garrisonhayes.bsky.social breaks it down.
➡️adds $3.3 trillion to the national debt, according to estimates.
➡️could cut up to 12 million people off of their health care coverage.
➡️provides $114 billion in tax cuts to the top one percent.
@garrisonhayes.bsky.social breaks it down.
July 1, 2025 at 8:29 PM
By the numbers, this Senate bill:
➡️adds $3.3 trillion to the national debt, according to estimates.
➡️could cut up to 12 million people off of their health care coverage.
➡️provides $114 billion in tax cuts to the top one percent.
@garrisonhayes.bsky.social breaks it down.
➡️adds $3.3 trillion to the national debt, according to estimates.
➡️could cut up to 12 million people off of their health care coverage.
➡️provides $114 billion in tax cuts to the top one percent.
@garrisonhayes.bsky.social breaks it down.