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Rachel Hope Cleves

@rachelcleves.bsky.social

8.3K followers 3.1K following 890 posts

Hungry historian. Novelist. Vancouver Island dweller. I post a lot about old books I'm reading, and sometimes new ones. Also art and nature shots. I avoid posting about politics because what the fuck's the point. You know what I think.

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Rachel Hope Cleves @rachelcleves.bsky.social · Jan 29

Lustful Appetites is out in North America and the UK! Links to reviews and podcast interviews here: rachelhopecleves.com/2025/01/10/l...

Lustful Appetites is here!

Reviews and podcasts are starting to appear. Read or listen at these links: Kirkus review Lisa Hilton’s review in the Times Literary Supplement Mei Chin’s review in the Irish Times Inte…

rachelhopecleves.com

Rachel Hope Cleves @rachelcleves.bsky.social · 14h

Watching @novenacarmel.bsky.social dance dance dance to the radio is so cute I am having a hard time focusing on work. Not sure that the new @kcrw.com morning becomes eclectic live cam will be good for my productivity

Rachel Hope Cleves @rachelcleves.bsky.social · 8d

young Jay Gould was pretty hot (on the right). I'd buy railroad shares from him

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Rachel Hope Cleves @rachelcleves.bsky.social · 14d

Funny. Germans only get 1 bird in either scenario. English speakers at least get a chance at doubles. Spanish speakers get 100x. It’s clear which culture I’d want to be part of.

Rachel Hope Cleves @rachelcleves.bsky.social · 14d

in conversation with a German friend, learned that the German version of "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush," is "a sparrow in the hand is worth a dove on the roof." what do you do with the sparrow in your hand, though?

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Rachel Hope Cleves @rachelcleves.bsky.social · 19d

The U.S. Mint hired two women in 1795 as adjusters. Were these the first female employees of the federal government? www.usmint.gov/learn/histor...

Women at Work: Mint's Trailblazers

In 1795, at a time when women had few job opportunities, the U.S. Mint hired its first female employees. Learn about these trailblazing women.

www.usmint.gov

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Rachel Hope Cleves @rachelcleves.bsky.social · 19d

I was kind of joking, I'm sure you're right. But still!

Rachel Hope Cleves @rachelcleves.bsky.social · 19d

Professional thieves, members of the Killers gang in Philadelphia, 1848. Curious about the hand gesture-- antebellum gang sign?

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Reposted by Rachel Hope Cleves

Ian S. Pumpkins @icpetrie.bsky.social · 19d

[South Philadelphian Kool-Aids into the room shouting "Got your Moyamensing Balls --"]

But seriously anyone able to help Rachel out?

Rachel Hope Cleves @rachelcleves.bsky.social · 19d

Any Philadelphia historians out there who can point me to good sources for understanding Philadelphia highlife culture in the immediate post-Civil War era? late 1860s and early 1870s? I'm particularly interested in any info on the Moyamensing Balls

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Rachel Hope Cleves @rachelcleves.bsky.social · 19d

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Reposted by Rachel Hope Cleves

Canadian Historical Association | Société historique du Canada @cndhistassoc.bsky.social · 20d

Check out the CHA’s latest Teaching | Learning Blog post! Do you have other suggestions for works that could be included on this list? Let us know using the hashtag #CHATeachingResourcesChat. #NDTR #cdnhist #skystorians @jomac-613.bsky.social

National Truth and Reconciliation Week: Resources for Teaching and Learning | Canadian Historical Association | Société historique du Canada

Welcome to the first Teaching and Learning Blog for the 2025-2026 academic year and beyond. This year, we are updating resources for National Truth and Reconciliation week, recognizing the importance ...

cha-shc.ca

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Rachel Hope Cleves @rachelcleves.bsky.social · 22d

far from it! here's a book about another example:

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Rachel Hope Cleves @rachelcleves.bsky.social · 22d

It's so hard to resist rabbit holes when reading old newspapers!

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Rachel Hope Cleves @rachelcleves.bsky.social · 24d

Quoted in the introduction to the book, naturally!

Rachel Hope Cleves @rachelcleves.bsky.social · 24d

life imitating art

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Reposted by Rachel Hope Cleves

Rachel Hope Cleves @rachelcleves.bsky.social · 26d

Come be my colleague! Research Chair in Trans Studies position open at @uvic.ca www.uvic.ca/faculty-staf...

SOSC/HUMS 250-108 - Faculty & staff - University of Victoria

Inspired by and honouring place, we are a community-minded, globally engaged university where we transform ideas into meaningful impact.

www.uvic.ca

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Rachel Hope Cleves @rachelcleves.bsky.social · 26d

This is a sweet silly book that I hope will make readers laugh and feel the feels. It provided some much needed respite in the writing, as I hope it will in the reading.

Aram Sinnreich @aramsinn.bsky.social · 26d

Sure, the world is in chaos, but @rachelcleves.bsky.social and I just sent our new manuscript, a fantasy novel, off to our agent @jenniegoloboy.bsky.social, so I’m gonna celebrate. 🎉📚

Rachel Hope Cleves @rachelcleves.bsky.social · 26d

Come be my colleague! Research Chair in Trans Studies position open at @uvic.ca www.uvic.ca/faculty-staf...

SOSC/HUMS 250-108 - Faculty & staff - University of Victoria

Inspired by and honouring place, we are a community-minded, globally engaged university where we transform ideas into meaningful impact.

www.uvic.ca

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Reposted by Rachel Hope Cleves

Aram Sinnreich @aramsinn.bsky.social · 26d

Sure, the world is in chaos, but @rachelcleves.bsky.social and I just sent our new manuscript, a fantasy novel, off to our agent @jenniegoloboy.bsky.social, so I’m gonna celebrate. 🎉📚

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Reposted by Rachel Hope Cleves

Solaris Books @solarisbooks.bsky.social · 28d

THE WATER OUTLAWS by @slhuang.com
LADY EVE'S LAST CON by @rebeccafraimow.bsky.social
SNOWBLOODED by @emmasternerradley.bsky.social
A SECOND CHANCE FOR YESTERDAY @aramsinn.bsky.social @rachelcleves.bsky.social
METAL FROM HEAVEN by @sapphomancer.bsky.social
REDSIGHT by @meredithmooring.bsky.social
3/3

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Reposted by Rachel Hope Cleves

Solaris Books @solarisbooks.bsky.social · 28d

Fancy some #FridayFun?

Here are Solaris' recs for #SapphicSeptember! From Scifi heists & cons to alluring housekeepers & vulnerable brides in crumbling Scottish mansions, regency romantasy to anarchist fantasy, vampirates & wuxia rebels to blind space nuns, we've got it all!

Ft authors below👇
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Rachel Hope Cleves @rachelcleves.bsky.social · 29d

Is there anyone who would buy this dish soap because it promises “50% less scrubbing”? Genuine question of a compulsive reader who can’t stop reading even while washing dishes. (Confession: the bf bought this dish soap for me at the dollar store, based, I think, on price and its upside-down design)

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Rachel Hope Cleves @rachelcleves.bsky.social · 29d

I do kind of wonder if this was a doodle design he used at other times. it has a practiced look

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Rachel Hope Cleves @rachelcleves.bsky.social · 29d

is no one going to mention that his signature is clearly meant to represent pubes?

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Rachel Hope Cleves @rachelcleves.bsky.social · Aug 25

Historians know not to make predictions for the future. AI boosters could learn something from us.

wapo.st/4mX1QQ1

Will historians really be replaced by AI? They remain skeptical.

A recent Microsoft study sent shockwaves with its rankings of threatened jobs. But some historians dismiss the idea, offering lessons for others.

wapo.st

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Rachel Hope Cleves @rachelcleves.bsky.social · Aug 25

I might have to go back to work next week, but at least I live in vacation land. View from my walk home last night (this view is 3 minutes by foot from my front door). #yyj

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