iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Brilliant multi-pov tale of survival & revolution and hope, on a generation ship divided by language - political space opera at its best from a master of Arabfuturism. Eager for book two, coming next year. #booksky 💙📚🪐 “The Republic of Memory” by Mahmud El Sayed @mahmudelsayed.bsky.social

Cover of the book, showing levels of habitats & mosques & towerblocks, in shades of brown & turquoise, sheltering under a portion of massive outer shell, a hint of fathomless space at the very top; at the bottom, rows and rows of rectangular pods that carry the ancestors.

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Decided to reread A Wizard of Earthsea for the first time in IDK decades? The map in the front of this (cheap, paperback) edition is hard to read so I … tapped and tried to zoom in and… yeah. Clearly not safe to be out in public today 🤦🏼‍♀️

Photo of a white woman’s hand holding open the front of a paperback book showing a Very Small and Blurry and complex map of the world of Earthsea.

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

I was really curious what the result would be for someone from the UK (Leicester then London) who’s lived here awhile (Philly, Chicago, back to Philly). The answer “hoagie” clearly skewed things a bit lol.

Dialect map of USA that shows me as generally somewhere along the eastern seaboard.

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Just finished this one - really cool secondary world fantasy with great world-building and compelling characters. “Foundryside” by Robert Jackson Bennett. Even better - it’s a trilogy! There are two more! #booksky 💙📚

Cover of book “Foundryside” by Robert Jackson Bennett

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

This b’day gift from the spouse is, tbh, very accurate for me 😏

Back of a coffin shaped bookmark that says “Just one more chapter”

Front of the coffin shaped bookmark showing a skeleton reading a book (which, honestly, accurate for me

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Also, one of the tiny cacti on the window sill is growing…something? Little penis? Huge zit? An appendage slowly reaching out to the wild vine outside??

Photo of a tiny potted cactus with … an appendage? Penis? Huge zit?? Growing out of its side.

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Before we went away I saw a lil’ patch of wild grape vine down in the corner - eh, it’s only two feet tall, I’ll deal with it when we get back. One month later and a fucking triffid is taking over the house.

Photo of a corner of a mustard yellow stucco house with a massive wild grape vine clambering up to the second floor

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

When your kid works front of house at the theatre and tells you which is the best seat to book. ❤️😄 #Beetlejuice #PrinceEdwardTheatre

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Well if one has to hobble around using a walking stick one might as well get something a tad stylish from the venerable James Smith & Sons of London. Custom fitted and everything - I feel Right Posh.

Photo of interior of shop showing crowded racks of walking sticks.

Photo of my new cane, rosewood colour with a subtle carving pattern.

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Privileged to see this utterly brilliant flamenco version of “Love’s Labour’s Lost” at Shakespeare’s Globe yesterday. Yes! Shakespeare with flamenco! It works really well! If you’re in London don’t miss it. Superb & creative staging, top-notch performances.

Photo of program cover for Love’s Labour’s Lost - three women and two men in colourful Spanish dance attire pose and twirl in front of a stone wall.

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

I was 15 when I saw this - blew my mind that someone could show passion and intensity (and despair) in a painting of flowers.

Van Gogh’s Sunflowers at National Gallery, London.

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Stopped in at the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square to see one of my favourite paintings and…oh. Well. Fine. FINE. I’ll just have to go back to Philly then 🙄

Photo of wall plaque announcing that Van Gogh’s Sunflowers is on loan to the Phila Museum of Art.
(Heavy Sigh.)

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

If you’re in London, catch this special exhibit of portraits of Elizabeth I and her court, showing how portraits were used as image projection and propaganda. But hurry, it ends this week! Descriptions in alt. At the Philip Mould Gallery on Pall Mall.

Photo shoeing three very different portraits of Elizabeth; L to R when she was being showcased as marriageable & fecund; when she first ascended to the throne, all pious & serious & non-threatening; and at the height of her very regal power.

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Why, London, WHY Yes I know it’s hotter in Philly /SoCal / Texas whatever, but there’s no A/C here and I dare any USian to ride the Northern Line tube in rush hour because JFC 🥵 And yes UK is Celsius but it was still Fahrenheit when I emigrated and however you measure it it’s Too. Damn. Hot.

Screen shot of the Covent Garden weather forecast the next few days, showing temps topping out in the high 80s and yes UK does Celsius now but they were still on Fahrenheit when I grew up so I never made the switch. Either way it’s bloody hot.

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Fantastic & unique story - devoured in two days. An African woman with inexplicable powers, a baffled Chicago cop, a string of impossible murders across US and UK. Fantasy + mystery = One of my favourites this year. #BookSky 📚💙

Cover of book “Esperance” by Adam Oyebanji.

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

London in the blitz; unapologetically adventurous Iris stumbles across actual angels & a nasty fascist woman intent on changing history. Brilliant evocation of the daily grind of the war, memorable characters, hell of an ending. Sequel planned for next year - can’t wait. 💙📚 #BookSky

Cover of the novel Nonesuch by Francis Spufford

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Trans’d from Chinese & a somewhat different writing style (fair amount of telling & head-hopping) but propulsive and fascinating. A poor woman in Hong Kong sets out to find who cyber-bullied her 15-year-old sister to death. Couple of great twists at the end. #BookSky 💙📚

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

My god. What a brilliant heart-breaker of a tale. Sci-fi at its best: philosophical, shattering, awesome in every sense. This one will stay with you. “…placing ourselves inside their mouths and pretending to truth.” @slhuang.com 💙📚 #booksky

Cover of the book “The Language of Liars” by S. L. Huang. Gold lettering on a dark background of sea-star like multi-limbed beings.

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

Devoured this in two days. Great plotting with two alternating POVs; a wealthy family on a remote island, secrets & lies revealed one after another; building to a stunning climax that I did NOT see coming. The final three words - wow. Highly recommended. #BookSky 💙📚 @trishasakhlecha.bsky.social

Cover of novel The Inheritance by Trisha Sakhlecha. Picture shows a shadowy image of a woman sitting on a couch, a huge window behind her with heavy drapes, framing a rocky coastline.

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 04/04/2026

Me, finally up at noon (it was a long day): what’ll we do for, er, brunch? Him: Seder leftovers Me: OMG yes! Aunt Na’s gluten-free chocolate covered matzah!! Him: er… Me: I’m a grownup. Chocolate. Covered. GF Matzah. I mean, she baked it separate and labeled the bag it’d be rude not to.😋

A nice big baggie with delicious chunks of gf matzah, soaked in butter and sugar, baked & caramelized, tons of chocolate melted over the top. 🤤

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

@aptshadow.bsky.social is a gods-damn genius poet of a writer. Children of Time = I’m rooting for spiders; Children of Ruin = how an octopus might think/be; and Children of Memory just wrecked me with questions about sentience & memory and what it means to “live.” Sci-fi at its best. #booksky 💙📚🪐

Photo of the book Children of Memory by Adrian Tchaikovsky, showing an aging space ship outlined in bright light, angling towards an orange-brown planet.
Quote at the bottom says “ Tchaikovsky is one of our finest writers - Gareth L. Powell”
(Hard agree)

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

A delicious and deviously fun slow-build thriller with a hell of an ending. Writer “borrows” a plot from his now-dead student; book becomes a best seller; then the anonymous emails start. (Also a painfully insightful portrayal of what it’s like to write!) #booksky 💙📚

Cover of novel “The Plot” by Jean Hanff Korelitz. A simple image of a white book on a pale blue background with the title large capital letters, some of them slightly fuzzed by vague images of sky glimpsed through tangled greenery.

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

Him: are savory foods just cheese delivery systems for you? Me: yes. Point? (There’s some rice and Amy’s brand black bean chili under there.)

A white china bowl mounded up with shredded jack- and cheddar cheeses. Faint hint of something dark under the fork.

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

All fixed. Bunny was very brave.

The same white bunny with right arm reattached.

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

A much-loved white bunny in pre-op (grandma’s lap) bravely waiting to get his right arm sewn back on.

A much loved white bunny in pre-op (grandma’s lap) waiting to get his right arm sewn back on.

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

A fantastic tale! Inspired by the Chinese classic “Water Margin,” but with a feminist & queer twist; great plot & delicious vengeance; bloody and all the best kinds of heroic; deep characters and a really satisfying ending. #BookSky 💙📚 #Fantasy

Cover of “The Water Outlaws” by S. L. Huang. Against a swirling green background, a fem-presenting Chinese warrior in traditional-style clothing, astride a rearing black warhorse, wielding a shining curved blade.

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

Stuart Turton is a frickin genius. Loved his book “The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle” & this is even better. A batshit premise but it works brilliantly, slow reveals and great characters. Mystery & sci-fi & philosophical conjecture. Delicious, thought-provoking. #Booksky 💙📚🪐

The cover of “The Last Murder at the End of the World” by Stuart Turton.

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Burned thru this one in two days (“just one more chapter…”) and holy crap I just discovered a new author to love. Creepy but also very funny and so, so lovely. Great characters. And the dog…❤️ @tkingfisher.com #Booksky 💙📚

Cover of Snake-Eater by T. Kingfisher. Close-up pic of a manic-looking Roadrunner with a dead rattlesnake dangling from its mouth. Red and purple colour pallet.
No, not the cartoon “meep meep” version of a roadrunner but the “holy shit clearly a dinosaur descendant please don’t kill me” version.

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

Great book! Starts out cute & light - the sheep want to solve their shepherd’s murder! - then quickly develops many layers and questions. The sheep are a delight and I did not see the ending coming. Couldn’t put it down. Upcoming movie should be a treat. #ThreeBagsFull #BookSky 📚💙

Cover of “Three Bags Full” by Leonie Swann. On a blue background, the silhouettes of 17 white sheep and one black one. The title in yellow capital letters.

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 23/12/2025

Every year the neighbors’ Ginko does this and every year I think “Next year I’ll remember to park on the street in October” and every year I forget…

Photo of a dark grey car parked on a driveway amidst a sea of golden ginkgo leaves, more leaves covering its hood and roof.

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 21/12/2025

Bringing light in the darkness. (And cookies; many many cookies.)

Photo of a table covered in a decorative blue & white cloth with images of dreidels & Jewish stars. Two Hanukkah menorahs stand in the middle with all of their candles proudly lit. The side of a young girl’s face is glimpsed on the left; across from her, her father’s arms are folded leaning on the table. Boxes of goodies are scattered across the table.

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

Back in the US of bloody A after a month in London & gods dammit but I need a comfort read. @marthawells.com #Murderbot

The cover of Martha Wells’ first Murderbot novella, “All Systems Red.” An androgynous humanoid robot in shades of grey in front of a washed-out vaguely forest-like background.

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

Well, yes… (No, I don’t do subtle) (sign on the wall at Euston station underground)

Sign with capital letters in white on a blue background, on a white tiled wall, saying KEEP LEFT

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

Covent garden has changed a lot since the days when my grandad would go before dawn to get fruit & veg for his green grocer shop. Also, yes, those are Really Big Balls.

Photo of Covent Garden market interior, with crowds of shoppers and Christmas decorations of massive balls and bells hanging from the ornate iron and glass ceiling.

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

Yes London is crowded as ever and it’s pitch dark by 4:30pm but there’s always pubs (this is The Crown, Seven Dials, where the Abbott’s Ale was well kept & pulled) to keep the energy level up. And this time of year they’re nice & sparkly, too.

Photo of part of the bar at The Crown pub in Seven Dials. Nothing special as pubs go but the Abbott’s Ale was well kept & poured and the woodwork glows nicely under the lamps and Xmas decorations.

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 23/11/2025

Yes of course I added Walkers Ready Salted crisps to the cheese sarnie, I am not a heathen.

Photo of a soft roll filled with sliced cheddar and crisps (aka chips for the ‘Merikans).

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

Your last saved meme is your moral philosophy. Yeah this tracks. (To be clear on the right to bear arms: guns, hell no, absolutely not, are you insane? Hoagies as resistance…Absolutely.)

Philly phanatic sticker. He’s winding up to hurl - a hoagie. In his left…hand? Paw? Is a scroll reading “The right to bear arms shall not be infringed”

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

OMG what an incredible story! Stayed up waaaay too late cos had to finish it. Time travel & romance; tragedy & heroism; twists I never saw coming; and an epically cranky horse. Truly unique. 💙📚#Booksky

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

It came! It came!! This is a print of @museum.of.emilyk.art ‘s brilliant "Tzefardea Tzedek" (Frog of Righteousness), a riff on the Jewish reaction to the Portland resistance frog. Emily’s explanation is pasted in the alt text. Love it ❤️

Hebrew calligraphy on dark green stretches in lines across the image. Negative space makes room for a simple representation of an inflatable frog costume with a blue bandana. That shape consists of the English translation of the Hebrew, in a lighter green, and in much smaller text.
ーー
Famously, the Egyptian tyrant causes Egypt to be overrun with frogs because he refuses to free the Hebrew people, but there are additional details that make this a fun one to ponder. For 7 one, the Hebrew says "the frog came up" - ONE frog -even though the rest of the time it says N
"frogs." So there are a few explanations rabbis have come up with to explain this. One is that a single frog multiplied to create swarms. A more creative explanation is that there was a singular giant frog who traveled and brought destruction.
Jewish social media was sharing videos of the Portland Frog protester with the caption, "One Big Frog! One Big Frog!" Of course the frog protesters did multiply, and many were seen in crowds all over the world on "No Kings" Day. SN
This calligraphic work takes the verses addressing the frog plague and combines them to form a simple rendering of the Portland Frog protester. The frog figure itself is made up of the English translations of the Hebrew around it. At the bottom left my signature is in the shape of a lily pad.

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

When you go to the indie bookstore to pick up one book (Willis) then find another you’ve been hoping to get (Kuang) and the owner says “Have you read any Alice Harrow?” & another patron pipes up “oh based on your library orders you’d love that!” Weekend sorted. Love my little town 💙📚🪐

Photo showing covers of “To Say Nothing of the Dog” by Connie Willis, “The Poppy War” by R. F. Kuang, and “The Everlasting” by Alix E. Harrow.

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 25/10/2025

Rereading this wonderful book by a favorite author for the first time in years — and wow, does it hit different after living thru an actual pandemic. Eerily prescient in places. Still 10/10 💙📚🪐

Photo of the book “Doomsday” by Connie Willis.

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

And so the rewrite begins… So much fun keeping track of multiple POV characters. #Writerlife #Writing

Large white poster board with a collection of different colored notecards pinned on it, all covered in dense script

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 21/09/2025

Cat has now decided I’m the best human and doesn’t want me to leave.

Small black cat sitting on my lap and looking Very Expectant.

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 21/09/2025

Picture of one totally innocent black cat in the kitchen, scarfing down an entire can of premium tuna because of course she deserves it.

Picture of one totally innocent black cat scarfing down an entire can of premium tuna in the kitchen because of course she deserves it.

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

All we seem to grow successfully now are deer… Idk from zones, suburban Philly/Montco

Two deer on a lawn, foraging under an empty bird feeder.

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 31/08/2025

Cleaning out a closet and came across this t-shirt from…1980? Courtesy of some left-wing student organization? Deeply depressing that 45 f’ing years later it’s still relevant.

Wrinkled white t-shirt. On the front a print in blocks of colour showing two overall-clad workers stomping on a pair of cartoonish top hatted bosses

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 31/08/2025

Decisions, decisions… Overgrowth by Mira Grant (Seanan McGuire) Or, Katabasis by R. F. Kuang??? Based on the covers it’s threatening & creepy ~OR~ threatening & gothic. 🤔 #Booksky 💙📚

Photo of the two books.
On the left Overgrowth is all black with a jagged vine twisting through the title and reaching out to encircle a tiny image of Earth, with the phrase “You were warned” across the top. Vibe is threatening & creepy.

On the right Katabasis is also a black background, with a big image of an Escher-like gothic building around an inner courtyard, the whole building disappearing down into the depths; one tiny human runs along the roofline, another is inside on an upper floor, writing on a blackboard; pages are blowing off piles along the roof to spiral around the building. Vibe is gothic and dangerous.

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

Sometimes you just have to reread an old favourite cos it makes you laugh & has a positive ending. Fending off the despair one book at a time… @scalzi.com #BookSky 💙📚

Pic showing cover of a paperback book - Agent to the Stars by John Scalzj. Cover image shows a red & white flying saucer center-left hovering near a big spotlight, with a second flying saucer hovering top right. The word Stars looks to have been written by an eager Hollywood intern.

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Vicki Marklew @vmarklew.bsky.social · 25/08/2025

I send this graphic to friends & family in the UK a lot!

Image showing the outline of the USA overlaid on a map of Europe. The USA outline straddles Europe from Ireland to Turkey, and the Baltics down to Syria. i.e. its fucking BIG

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