Susan
@violetephemera.bsky.social
Teacher, ex-academic, avid reader, houseplant keeper, and cat person.
PhD in Victorian literature and science
📚 🐈🪴 🍉
PhD in Victorian literature and science
📚 🐈🪴 🍉
One of my colleagues gave me an amaryllis bulb a few months ago, and it's finally come into full bloom. This is only the second amaryllis I've had, and the flowers are amazingly large and velvety. It's a treat to see something so beautiful when everything else is so dark and gloomy. #plantsky
January 15, 2026 at 8:04 PM
One of my colleagues gave me an amaryllis bulb a few months ago, and it's finally come into full bloom. This is only the second amaryllis I've had, and the flowers are amazingly large and velvety. It's a treat to see something so beautiful when everything else is so dark and gloomy. #plantsky
Couldn't finish This Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh before the year's end, but spent most of New Year's Day unable to put it down. The middle of the novel was thrilling with strong action scenes and plot-twisting time loops. Just wish the ending hadn't relied on so much deus ex machina. #booksky 💙📚
January 2, 2026 at 9:48 PM
Couldn't finish This Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh before the year's end, but spent most of New Year's Day unable to put it down. The middle of the novel was thrilling with strong action scenes and plot-twisting time loops. Just wish the ending hadn't relied on so much deus ex machina. #booksky 💙📚
Book 69 of 2025 📚💙 The Electric State by Simon Stålenhag, the story of a teenager on a quest to save her brother that's told as much by text as by the photo-realistic illustrations of an alternate 1990s haunted by rusting warships and addictive virtual reality tech. A fascinating book! #booksky
December 31, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Book 69 of 2025 📚💙 The Electric State by Simon Stålenhag, the story of a teenager on a quest to save her brother that's told as much by text as by the photo-realistic illustrations of an alternate 1990s haunted by rusting warships and addictive virtual reality tech. A fascinating book! #booksky
Books 66-68 of 2025 📚💙 this year's additions to Seth's Haunted Bookshelf from Biblioasis: three short stories featuring a possibly-immortal lady, a teacher's ghost seeking redemption, and a Christmas tree cursed by a local tree spirit. All three had just enough chills and thrills. #booksky
December 30, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Books 66-68 of 2025 📚💙 this year's additions to Seth's Haunted Bookshelf from Biblioasis: three short stories featuring a possibly-immortal lady, a teacher's ghost seeking redemption, and a Christmas tree cursed by a local tree spirit. All three had just enough chills and thrills. #booksky
Book 65 of 2025 📚💙 Snake-Eater by T. Kingfisher, about a woman who move into her aunt's house and inherits more than she bargained fors. Both cozy and chilling in turns, the story was so much fun to read. I had trouble putting it down! #booksky
December 28, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Book 65 of 2025 📚💙 Snake-Eater by T. Kingfisher, about a woman who move into her aunt's house and inherits more than she bargained fors. Both cozy and chilling in turns, the story was so much fun to read. I had trouble putting it down! #booksky
Book 64 of 2025 📚💙 The Keeper of Magical Things by Julie Leong, a fluffy romantasy about the chances a novice mage takes to bring magic back to a village using unwanted magical artifacts. I enjoyed most of the story, but the villain was too flat and the climax too over-dramatic for me. #booksky
December 25, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Book 64 of 2025 📚💙 The Keeper of Magical Things by Julie Leong, a fluffy romantasy about the chances a novice mage takes to bring magic back to a village using unwanted magical artifacts. I enjoyed most of the story, but the villain was too flat and the climax too over-dramatic for me. #booksky
Book 63 of 2025 📚💙 These Lifeless Things by Premee Mohamed, a novella with a split narrative: a woman who survived an invasion of eldritch beings and the anthropologist who fights to have her testimony valued in a pragmatic future world. A fascinating story that I highly recommend! #booksky
December 23, 2025 at 2:06 AM
Book 63 of 2025 📚💙 These Lifeless Things by Premee Mohamed, a novella with a split narrative: a woman who survived an invasion of eldritch beings and the anthropologist who fights to have her testimony valued in a pragmatic future world. A fascinating story that I highly recommend! #booksky
Book 62 of 2025 📚💙 A Mouthful of Dust by Nghi Vo, an excellent addition to the Singing Hills Cycle about a town once haunted by a famine demon and the horrible things the magistrate's family did to appease it. The narrative is tight, the prose is vivid, and the horror is chilling. #booksky
December 20, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Book 62 of 2025 📚💙 A Mouthful of Dust by Nghi Vo, an excellent addition to the Singing Hills Cycle about a town once haunted by a famine demon and the horrible things the magistrate's family did to appease it. The narrative is tight, the prose is vivid, and the horror is chilling. #booksky
Book 61 of 2025 📚💙 Katabasis by R. F. Kuang, which is, on the surface, about a fantastical journey through Hell. In reality, it's a scathing critique of academia and the exploitation of grad students by abusive professors. Hit close to home, but was ultimately cathartic and satisfying. #booksky
December 13, 2025 at 1:05 AM
Book 61 of 2025 📚💙 Katabasis by R. F. Kuang, which is, on the surface, about a fantastical journey through Hell. In reality, it's a scathing critique of academia and the exploitation of grad students by abusive professors. Hit close to home, but was ultimately cathartic and satisfying. #booksky
A holiday-themed #caturday from earlier this week when Ivy took a nap on a pile of tissue paper and bubble wrap from the Christmas ornaments. She thought it was the best new bed!
December 6, 2025 at 11:41 PM
A holiday-themed #caturday from earlier this week when Ivy took a nap on a pile of tissue paper and bubble wrap from the Christmas ornaments. She thought it was the best new bed!
Book 60 of 2025 📚💙 All the Little Monsters by David Robertson, a memoir of his experiences with anxiety. His description of the uneven nature of "progress" as life events occur was especially helpful. Sometimes, you just need to hear about someone going through a similar experience to feel better.
November 30, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Book 60 of 2025 📚💙 All the Little Monsters by David Robertson, a memoir of his experiences with anxiety. His description of the uneven nature of "progress" as life events occur was especially helpful. Sometimes, you just need to hear about someone going through a similar experience to feel better.
It's been a tough few weeks, so I treated myself to a couple of Regency Cats blind boxes and, fortunately, got the two I wanted! Lady Sheddington and Miss Meowsly now hold an honoured place on my bookshelf.
November 24, 2025 at 1:18 AM
It's been a tough few weeks, so I treated myself to a couple of Regency Cats blind boxes and, fortunately, got the two I wanted! Lady Sheddington and Miss Meowsly now hold an honoured place on my bookshelf.
Happy #caturday from Ivy. This photo is from a few days ago, when she took over my bed before I had a chance to make it, and she disapproved of my attempts to move her. Stay cozy, like Ivy!
November 15, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Happy #caturday from Ivy. This photo is from a few days ago, when she took over my bed before I had a chance to make it, and she disapproved of my attempts to move her. Stay cozy, like Ivy!
Book 59 of 2025 📚💙 What Stalks the Deep by T. Kingfisher, the third in the Gothic horror series, this time set in a West Virginian mine haunted by a Lovecraftian creature. As always with her work, I enjoy the descriptive writing and unique characters; this one also had a fun plot twist. #booksky
November 9, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Book 59 of 2025 📚💙 What Stalks the Deep by T. Kingfisher, the third in the Gothic horror series, this time set in a West Virginian mine haunted by a Lovecraftian creature. As always with her work, I enjoy the descriptive writing and unique characters; this one also had a fun plot twist. #booksky
Book 58 of 2025 📚💙 Pick a Colour by Souvankham Thammavongsa, which depicts a day in the life of a thoughtful and observant nail salon owner. It's like Joyce's Ulysses retold by one many deem invisible, and it takes on the best and most memorable elements of Thammavongsa's short stories. #booksky
November 2, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Book 58 of 2025 📚💙 Pick a Colour by Souvankham Thammavongsa, which depicts a day in the life of a thoughtful and observant nail salon owner. It's like Joyce's Ulysses retold by one many deem invisible, and it takes on the best and most memorable elements of Thammavongsa's short stories. #booksky
I received the teabag bookmark that I ordered from @cupofmin.bsky.social this week, and it came with this cute assortment of goodies. The bookmark is a lovely work of fibre art, with many exquisite little details that bring the embroidery to life. 😊
October 26, 2025 at 8:40 PM
I received the teabag bookmark that I ordered from @cupofmin.bsky.social this week, and it came with this cute assortment of goodies. The bookmark is a lovely work of fibre art, with many exquisite little details that bring the embroidery to life. 😊
Book 57 of 2025 📚💙 Restaurant Kid by Rachel Phan, a memoir of her childhood in small-town Ontario, haunted by her parents' restaurant and her alienation as one of the few Asian people in her community. I especially enjoyed the last chapters when Phan connected with her family and history. #booksky
October 26, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Book 57 of 2025 📚💙 Restaurant Kid by Rachel Phan, a memoir of her childhood in small-town Ontario, haunted by her parents' restaurant and her alienation as one of the few Asian people in her community. I especially enjoyed the last chapters when Phan connected with her family and history. #booksky
Book 56 of 2025 📚💙 Hemlock and Silver by T. Kingfisher, a fantasy medical mystery filled with little creative touches that made the whole story a joy to read, like a belled rattle snake, spirit houses, a literal mirror world. Probably my favourite of her novels so far. #booksky
October 19, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Book 56 of 2025 📚💙 Hemlock and Silver by T. Kingfisher, a fantasy medical mystery filled with little creative touches that made the whole story a joy to read, like a belled rattle snake, spirit houses, a literal mirror world. Probably my favourite of her novels so far. #booksky
A day late for #caturday but couldn't resist posting a picture of Ivy anyway. In the mornings, she sits on my bed to watch the reflections of light that play on the walls. She's always loved light and shadows, often more than real toys.
October 12, 2025 at 1:23 PM
A day late for #caturday but couldn't resist posting a picture of Ivy anyway. In the mornings, she sits on my bed to watch the reflections of light that play on the walls. She's always loved light and shadows, often more than real toys.
Book 55 of 2025 📚💙 Lucky Day by Chuck Tingle, the story of Vera, who survives a horrific event and, years later, is asked to investigate the casino that may have caused it. The supernatural elements are imaginative and fun; the horror is gruesome; and Vera's journey is worth every minute. #booksky
October 10, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Book 55 of 2025 📚💙 Lucky Day by Chuck Tingle, the story of Vera, who survives a horrific event and, years later, is asked to investigate the casino that may have caused it. The supernatural elements are imaginative and fun; the horror is gruesome; and Vera's journey is worth every minute. #booksky
Book 54 of 2025 📚💙 From the Rez to the Runway by Christian Allaire, a memoir about achieving his dream of becoming a fashion journalist for Vogue. It's a story of fortunate timing, sacrifices and risks, and, above all, Indigenous joy. Refreshing to read a (mostly) happy memoir. #booksky
October 6, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Book 54 of 2025 📚💙 From the Rez to the Runway by Christian Allaire, a memoir about achieving his dream of becoming a fashion journalist for Vogue. It's a story of fortunate timing, sacrifices and risks, and, above all, Indigenous joy. Refreshing to read a (mostly) happy memoir. #booksky
Book 53 of 2025 📚💙 Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner, who navigates the grief of losing her mother through their shared love of food. Her descriptions of food are so vivid that I could smell and taste it all while reading. It lost momentum in the middle for me, but ended on a strong note. #booksky
October 3, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Book 53 of 2025 📚💙 Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner, who navigates the grief of losing her mother through their shared love of food. Her descriptions of food are so vivid that I could smell and taste it all while reading. It lost momentum in the middle for me, but ended on a strong note. #booksky
Wish I could say I intentionally planted these asters, but they were part of a wildflower seed mix from last year that I didn't even know contained asters until this August. But here they are, taking the spotlight now that most other flowers are dying back, and the bumblebees love them. #plantsky
September 28, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Wish I could say I intentionally planted these asters, but they were part of a wildflower seed mix from last year that I didn't even know contained asters until this August. But here they are, taking the spotlight now that most other flowers are dying back, and the bumblebees love them. #plantsky
Book 52 of 2025 📚💙 Mandelbrot the Magnificent by Liz Ziemska, a fictionalized autobiography of the mathematician in which he combines math with his Jewish faith to rescue his family during WWII. The magic system is unique and fascinating to watch unfold on the page in complex equations. #booksky
September 28, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Book 52 of 2025 📚💙 Mandelbrot the Magnificent by Liz Ziemska, a fictionalized autobiography of the mathematician in which he combines math with his Jewish faith to rescue his family during WWII. The magic system is unique and fascinating to watch unfold on the page in complex equations. #booksky